Frustrated with Jewish organizations that geared their offerings for women’s involvement around the interests and schedules of stay-at-home mothers, Carol Wise forged a more welcoming place for professional women in the Jewish community. Wise studied at Sophie Newcomb College in New Orleans, but transferred to the National College of Education in Chicago for a teaching degree. She married Richard Wise in 1951, returned to New Orleans with him in 1953, and began selling real estate. After hearing a talk given by the captain of the Exodus, she was moved to become more involved in the Jewish community. Frustrated with women’s programs scheduled during the workday, she began a group for professional women for the Jewish Federation of New Orleans in the mid-1980s, eventually joining the Federation’s executive committee and later serving a term as president. Her experience with meeting the specific needs of women led her to help found the Women’s Leadership Initiative for United Way, and in the wake of Katrina, she worked with United Way to restore New Orleans’ decimated network of childcare facilities and rebuild playgrounds. She served on the board of the Jewish Women’s Archive for ten years, and as of 2015 continues to serve on the board of United Way.