The Leadership School

Since 1995, WHL has recruited women statewide to participate in a year-long leadership school that includes four mandatory training conferences and the development of individual projects in diverse, primarily low-income communities across the state. The training conferences are composed of two days of keynote presentations, ceremonies, workshops, assessments, networking, sharing and relationship building. Trainings, technical assistance and support are designed in response to individual pre-self assessments, leadership development plans and individual project/program development. The women develop health-focused projects that benefit families and communities throughout California. Core development areas include women's health, program planning, leadership development, and policy and advocacy.

The first training includes an orientation to the program and the core development areas. The second convening provides trainings that address communication and capacity building such as public speaking, networking, proposal writing, media advocacy, evaluation, etc. Participants or "Peer Leaders" also begin sharing their work or projects with the rest of their "learning community." In the fall, an intensive training takes place in Sacramento at the State Capitol where bills, legislation, and the political process are demystified. The final training conference concludes with a graduation ceremony.

Throughout the year, Peer Leaders engage in participatory activities and networking opportunities designed to challenge assumptions, encourage risk taking, and build relationships. In addition to the "tools" and the "processes" of leadership development, WHL emphasizes the "spirituality" of the work involved. Each set of activities allows for the women's authentic passion, voice, and gifts to be recognized, and ultimately to be used for developing relevant and meaningful solutions to community concerns.

Program participants or "Peer Leaders" commit to: participating in all convenings; completing required self-assessments; developing an individual leadership development plan, which includes a project; submitting surveys and reports, and maintaining communication with their Faculty Advisor and the program.

Peer Leaders are organized into learning groups consisting of five to six women. Each learning group is guided by a volunteer Faculty Advisor who provides mentoring and individual guidance to the women in the development of their leadership plans and projects. Learning groups come together during each of the trainings and often meet in between trainings. Faculty Advisors are recruited from WHL Alumni and other "experts" in women's health and program development. WHL Alumni also provide technical assistance, trainings, keynote presentations and mentoring to Peer Leaders.

For more information see the WHL brochure or contact us.