a professional, non-profit network of women and men who are
committed to helping women lead and learn. We believe that
education, college scholarships, recognition of role models and
women-friendly business policies and practices are key
strategies to accomplish this mission.
EDUCATION
Each year an annual leadership conference attracts 400 - 500
attendees, several exhibitors/vendors and internationally-known
keynotes, including: NBC Today Show's Jean Chatzky; NPR's
Michele Norris; photographer/author Tipper Gore; adventurer Tori
Murden; COSMO editor Kate White; authors Sue Grafton, Sally
Helgesen and Gail Sheehy; ethics expert Dr. Barbara Toffler; and
many, many more.
Since
December 2001, Women Leading Kentucky has assisted women
in building their professional and community networks through
Fall and Winter Roundtable Speaker Series. These events,
featuring opportunities to meet prominent role models and
speakers, are offered on a first-come, first-serve basis to the
public. Featured speakers have included Lee Ann James, E.W.
James & Family; Mira Ball, Ball Homes; Joel Pett, cartoonist;
Dr. Mary Sias, Kentucky State University; Dr. Lee Todd, U.K.
President; Margaret Engle, Washington , D.C. Newseum Director;
Dr. Stu Silberman, Fayette Co. Schools Superintendent; Rieva
Lesonsky, editor of Entrepreneur Magazine; Gov. Martha
Layne Collins and more.
To register for Roundtables, click here.
SPONSORS/PARTNERS
CHASE and Georgetown College have been presenting sponsors of the
annual conference for many years, and, without them and other
local businesses, Women Leading Kentucky could not
support these programs and opportunities. Sponsorship
information is available by request.
Click here
for more information.
SCHOLARSHIPS
Since starting the scholarship fund in 2001, more than $35,000 has
been awarded to female students who demonstrate leadership
abilities on campus and in their communities. These scholarships
are presented through various Kentucky colleges and
universities, including Bluegrass Community College; Georgetown
College; Eastern KY University; Midway College; University of
Kentucky and the University of Louisville. In addition, another
$500 scholarship is presented each year to the New Opportunity
School for Women in Berea for their scholarship fund supporting
Appalachian women. If you are interested in applying, please
check with a financial aid director at your Kentucky college. A
legacy scholarship is awarded to a graduating high school senior
each year in honor of Carrie S. Shumate of Paris, KY.
ROLE MODELS
It is important to recognize individuals
and organizations committed to helping women take leadership
positions, as a way of showing “if they can do it, I can too!”
The Martha Layne Collins Leadership Award recognizes
a woman who’s contributed to Kentucky’s improvement through
her leadership; and the
Top Business for Women Award —in
partnership with The Lane Report -- recognizes a
company/ organization for the policies and practices that enable
them to attract, train and advance women employees.
