Women of L.E.A.D.E.R.S.H.I.P. 1ST serves to positively direct, educate, strengthen and uplift girls and women through curriculum, events, products, trainings and workshops, placing them closer to their specific life’s purpose.

Women of L.E.A.D.E.R.S.H.I.P. 1ST was inspired based on a passion to empower and restore women through a global platform in partnership with the talents of other women who share the same passion, varying talents and embody the L.E.A.D.E.R.S.H.I.P. 1ST core leadership traits:

Loyalty, Education, Accountability, Discipline, Empowerment, Respect, Service, Honesty, Integrity and Perseverance 1ST!
This program engages women of varying age, backgrounds and cultures with a goal of empowering women as positive “change agents” for future generations, regardless of societal pressures.

Vision
The Women of L.E.A.D.E.R.S.H.I.P. 1ST has a vision to restore, strengthen and equip our women to rise in morals, values, self-image, etc., regardless of societal pressures through these four C’s of Leadership: Character, Competency, Credibility and Critical Thinking.

Goals
To reach girls and women with these messages and resources of hope and restoration, the Women of L.E.A.D.E.R.S.H.I.P. 1ST seeks to:

• Host a celebrity-headlined launch event to officially kick-off Women of L.E.A.D.E.R.S.H.I.P. 1ST events in communities across the country

• Secure partnerships with local, regional and national sponsors who complement the efforts and initiatives of the Women of L.E.A.D.E.RS.H.I.P 1ST

• Utilize various communication channels to reach girls and women such as: Establishing a Women of L.E.A.D.E.R.S.H.I.P. 1ST Blog, e-newsletter, press releases, articles/commentaries, videos, radio and/or television shows
Issues to Address
Upon conducting a recent survey among female friends, family members and colleagues asking, “What ails/hinders today’s girls and women from achieving their goals or living a whole, productive life,” a significant number of responses were submitted. Some of the issues/topics repeated but reflected a “pain point” suggesting we should most certainly address these and other issues through curriculum, events, products, workshops, etc. Many of these issues if not addressed during a girl’s childhood can negatively spill over into her womanhood. Some of the top issues include:
1. Lack of strong, positive father-figure; possibly leading to inability to recognize future healthy, productive male relationships/partners
2. Low self-esteem, low self-image
3. Confused about earthly and spiritual identity
4. Unaddressed childhood sexual, physical, emotional or mental abuse/traumas which affects a healthy womanhood
5. Perceived societal role
6. Patterns of self defeat, self sabotage
7. Fear to speak out
8. Fear of inadequacy
9. Need for acceptance/desire to be liked, to be popular
10. Lack of support
11. Unsure how to be a good helpmate to spouse
12. Lack of positive role models, lack of healthy parenting
13. Fear of being different
14. Fear of success
15. Lack of inspiration, lack of goals
The following quote from author and poet Maya Angelou speaks to what the Women of L.E.A.D.E.R.S.H.I.P. 1ST hopes to achieve through reaching girls and women. It seems to convey that while we may not have all of the answers, we can still deliver hope and remind each woman of her purpose:

A bird doesn’t sing because it has an answer, it sings because it has a song.
– Maya Angelou
Our women are far too important to let such negative cycles continue. We hope you choose to join us in this powerful movement.
For more information about the Women of L.E.A.D.E.R.S.H.I.P. 1ST, please contact:

Nicole D. Hayes, Women of L.E.A.D.E.R.S.H.I.P. 1ST Director
(202) 527-4106 (Washington, D.C.)
women@leadership1st.info