The Founding Vision Behind IHADLA
We join the Rhodes family in celebrating the extraordinary life of Winifred "Win" Woodward Rhodes (December 5, 1929 – April 22, 2026), whose vision, compassion, and leadership forever changed the lives of hundreds of young people across Los Angeles.
Inspired by Eugene Lang's original vision in New York, Win was the founding sponsor of the "I Have A Dream" Foundation – Los Angeles in 1987 with a bold belief: every child deserves the opportunity and long-term support to pursue their dreams. At a time when sustained educational investment in underserved youth was still an innovative concept, Win helped establish a model that paired academic support, enrichment, mentorship, and college scholarships with an unwavering commitment to walking alongside students throughout their educational journey.
One statistic changed the course of Win's life. After learning that nearly 75% of Los Angeles ninth graders were not graduating from high school, she refused to accept that reality. As Floy Hawkins, one of IHADLA's first Project Coordinators, recalled, Win believed, "Somebody's got to do something." Rather than accepting the statistic as inevitable, she chose to become that someone.
That same year, the Whittier Family Foundation funded the launch of five Dreamer Scholar cohorts serving 207 students from 52nd Street Elementary and Holmes Avenue Elementary. Those first Dreamer Scholars became the foundation upon which IHADLA continues to grow nearly four decades later.
Those who worked alongside Win remember that she never viewed philanthropy as simply making a donation. As Henry Ward, one of IHADLA's first Project Coordinators, reflected, "It was more than writing a check." Win expected sponsors to know the students, build meaningful relationships with families, and remain actively engaged throughout each child's educational journey. Long before IHADLA had a formal Board of Directors, she established a culture of accountability, compassion, and personal commitment that continues to shape our organization today. What made Win exceptional was her ability to "meet people where they were." She approached every family with humility and respect, listening first and responding to what they truly needed.
One story captures that spirit perfectly. When a Dreamer Scholar shared that her grandmother was dying in the South, Win didn't simply purchase a plane ticket. She first asked what would best support the family. Learning that the student's mother wanted to travel together by train with all of her children, Win quietly arranged the journey so they could spend precious final days together. It was a simple act of generosity, but one that reflected how she approached every challenge, with empathy, and a steadfast commitment to removing barriers for others.
That same philosophy guided her leadership. Whether helping a student attend a school where they could thrive, finding resources for a family in crisis, or opening doors that once seemed out of reach, Win believed that changing lives required more than financial support, it required relationships and showing up.
Her impact cannot be measured solely by degrees earned or scholarships awarded. Many of the original Dreamer Scholars have become parents whose own children are now attending college, creating a ripple effect of opportunity across generations. Our program wasn't simply about who went to college, it was about changing lives, strengthening families, and creating futures that once seemed impossible.
While Win supported countless organizations advancing education, youth development, rehabilitation, and the arts throughout Southern California, her founding vision for IHADLA remains one of her most enduring legacies. What began with six cohorts of Dreamer Scholars has grown into 21 programs over nearly four decades, serving hundreds of students and continuing the work she began in 1987. Today, every Dreamer Scholar we serve stands on a foundation that Win helped build. Her belief in the dignity of every child and the power of long-term commitment continues to guide our mission.
We extend our heartfelt condolences to the Rhodes family and all who knew and loved Win. We are profoundly grateful for the vision she shared, the lives she changed, and the organization she founded. We honor her memory by carrying forward the mission she began and by continuing to invest in the limitless potential of every Dreamer Scholar.
Her obituary can be read, here.