Wednesday, October 1, 2008

2008-2009 WeLEAD Program Launch

From the roof of Jones Day, one of the most recognized and respected law firms in the world, the Women & Politics Institute kicked off the fourth year of our bi-partisan WeLEAD training, the only program in the country that specifically works to increase the number of women working in political professions. We were hosted by AU Alumna, Jones Day Associate, and Young Women Leaders Board Member, Danielle Hohos. This year we have over eighty participants in the program, from a wide variety of professional, academic and georgraphic backgrounds. At this event, the participants had the opportunity to mix and mingle with each other, and with their mentors, the Young Women Leaders Board.

Participants, board members, AU WeLEAD alumnae and guests heard from the Women & Politics Institute's Interim Director, Dr. Barbara Palmer, and the Co-Chairs of the Young Women Leaders Board, Sarah Flowers and Kelly Bulliner Holly. Founder and Director of the Women & Politics Institute, Dr. Karen O'Connor, also shared her words of encouragement to the new generation of WeLEADers and her thanks to all those who contribute their time and resources to this program, without whom WeLEAD would not be possible.

For most of the evening, when I was not enthralled in conversation with the new WeLEAD participants and the programs alumnae, I was absorbed by the spectacular view of the Capitol Building, just yards away.