Senator Snowe Hosts Leadership Training for High School Girls, Featuring Maine’s American Idol Contestant Julia Gagnon
On Thursday, September 26, former United States Senator Olympia Snowe hosted nearly 1,000 people for the Olympia Snowe Women’s Leadership Institute’s Fall Forum at the Cross Insurance Center in Bangor. The Institute’s program is designed to raise the confidence and aspirations of high school girls by helping them develop the skills needed to be leaders in their lives, families, careers, and communities.
The Fall Forum is a day-long conference for nearly 600 young women from 38 high schools across all 16 Maine counties. Almost 400 adults from the Institute’s network—including 220 trained volunteers who mentor students for a three-year span—attended to speak, facilitate, participate in, or otherwise support activities with “Olympia’s Leaders,” as students are called.
This annual statewide event gathers Olympia’s Leaders for large and small group activities, moments of individual reflection, facilitated peer and mentor connections, professional networking activities, and remarks from inspiring Maine women.
Fall Forum speakers included: The Honorable Olympia J. Snowe, Former U.S. Senator and Founder of the Institute; Julia Gagnon—Singer, Songwriter, Student and Former American Idol Contestant; Stephanie Cotsirilos—Author, Lawyer, and Performing Artist; Diane Mutagoma—Attorney Recruiting and Professional Development Coordinator at Bernstein Shur; and Heather Shields, Realtor at Legacy Properties | Sotheby’s International Realty and Co-Founder of the Maine Women’s Project. In addition to her remarks, Julia Gagnon sang renditions of “Rise Up” by Andra Day and “A Natural Woman” by Aretha Franklin.
The 2024 Fall Forum was a milestone event, because it began the Institute’s 10th anniversary year and welcomed the 10th class of Olympia’s Leaders, who will graduate in 2027.
“You are our 10th sophomore class to join the Institute! I started this organization to empower young Maine women and create opportunities for each of you to become the kind of leaders you want to be in the future, and I’m confident that, with the skills you’re going to develop in this program, you’ll go on to achieve limitless success, making our communities, state, and country a much better place along the way.”
– The Honorable Olympia J. Snowe, in her remarks to Class of 2027 Olympia’s Leaders
The Institute’s curriculum is centered around yearly themes of “My Values” (10th grade), “My Voice” (11th grade), and “My Vision” (12th grade), which incorporate seven key outcomes related to confidence and leadership skills. It is an accredited program, so students who participate fully receive college credit for a 200-level Business Leadership course upon graduation.
Data from the Class of 2024 indicates that Olympia’s Leaders believe the program has made a difference in their lives:
- 97% feel capable of leading others;
- 97% understand their own values, strengths, and passions;
- 97% can communicate clearly, effectively, and respectfully;
- 96% have the ability to work with and appreciate diverse people;
- 96% can build and maintain a network of support;
- 96% are ready to open their mind to new ideas or approaches;
- 96% feel confident in themselves;
- 95% are willing to tackle challenges, stand up for their values, and take responsibility;
- and 91% feel able to mentor, guide, and support others.
To date, more than 1,400 Olympia’s Leaders have participated in the Institute. Ninety-five percent of Alums are currently pursuing or have already earned higher education degrees. The remaining five percent chose to engage in gap terms, specialized training for trades, volunteer service, military service, or workforce employment. Seventy-five percent of Olympia’s Leaders have stayed in Maine for post-secondary life.
“The Institute is so incredibly supportive and gives girls the support they need. The energy of the OLAs, facilitators, and staff is amazing. I felt very safe but challenged, and I feel I have grown a lot in the span of a day. Everyone we meet is incredibly kind. They give girls opportunities to not just make connections with others but to individuals in the career paths they may pursue as well. This program opens doors to so many possibilities. It is an opportunity I will never forget.”
– Angela Zhang, a junior Olympia’s Leader of Mount Desert Island High School
Program participants include students from: Bangor, Belfast Area, Biddeford, Boothbay Region, Calais, Camden Hills Regional, Cony, Edward Little, Ellsworth, Houlton, Lawrence, Leavitt Area, Lewiston, Lincoln Academy, Lisbon, Medomak Valley, Morse, Mount Ararat, Mount Blue, Mount View, Mount Desert Island, Narraguagus, Nokomis Regional, Oak Hill, Oceanside, Oxford Hills Comprehensive, Penquis Valley, Piscataquis Community, Poland Regional, Portland, Presque Isle, Sacopee Valley, Skowhegan Area, Spruce Mountain, Thornton Academy, Westbrook, and Winslow High Schools.
“This has been the greatest three years of my life. The Institute gave me confidence, and I have learned so much. I really appreciate everything taught, and I can’t wait to spread to others what I have learned here.”
– Jaida Jamieson, a senior Olympia’s Leader of Calais High School