LEADING EDGE INSTITUTE

BACKGROUND

In Closing the Leadership Gap, author Marie Wilson concludes that Alabama is at the bottom of most economic, health, and educational scales due to the neglect of a major resource: women. Leading Edge develops young women to lead in government, on corporate and non-profit Boards and in the community. According to the Center for American Women and Politics, when women fill 30% of seats at the tables of influence, a shift toward policies promoting family well-being occurs. Women in Alabama fill less than 10% of those seats. The face of Alabama leadership will change to the degree that the Leading Edge Institute can continue to invest in and equip young women to fill seats of influence. As a consequence, the entire state of Alabama will benefit. Leading Edge encourages students to live in Alabama once they finish their schooling - and many do. Our graduates include attorneys, accountants, teachers, financial planners and social change agents who are devoting their talents and energies to making Alabama a better place for all.

Mission

• Expand each woman’s concept of leadership and their perception of themselves as emerging, competent leaders.
• Encourage women to stay in Alabama (after graduation) to work for positive social change in their communities.
• Support leadership action and personal growth through mini-grant funded student-created service-learning projects.
• Build skills in collaboration, communication, conflict management, project planning, diversity awareness, personal finance and advocacy.
• Engage women in learning about community development, poverty, state issues and the history of Alabama through field experiences.
• Build a supportive and on-going network of women among a diverse student population.
• Give women meaningful access to experienced leaders and mentoring relationships.