The Olympia Snowe Women’s Leadership Institute, or OSWLI, is a non-profit mentorship program serving high school girls in Maine. The mission of the Institute is to raise the confidence and aspirations of high school girls by helping them build the leadership, collaboration, and problem-solving skills needed to succeed in their lives, families, careers, and communities. Faced with Maine’s aging workforce, the Institute aims to prepare and retain young talent by giving them the skills they need to succeed early-on.
While many other youth development programs select participants who are already strong leaders, the Institute does the opposite. The program identifies girls with leadership potential who may not yet see themselves as leaders, and builds mattering, confidence, and networks through the accredited Values, Voice, and Vision curriculum. Embedded exclusively in Maine public high schools, participants benefit from small-group, in-person meetings each month throughout their sophomore, junior, and senior year– building a three-year relationship with their fellow Olympia’s Leaders (OLs) and Olympia’s Leader Advisors (OLAs). They also have the opportunity to earn college credit, access to exclusive scholarships, and enter a growing network of support which includes other alums, OLAs, and corporate partners. These relationships can facilitate internships, job offers, and lifelong connections.
An OL, or an Olympia’s Leader, is a participant in the program and an OLA, or an Olympia’s Leader Advisor, is a mentor. Two OLAs are paired with a cohort of six OLs for their sophomore, junior, and senior year of high school.
Students are nominated for the program in the spring of their first year of high school by caring adults in their school community (such as teachers, coaches, counselors, school administrators, and more). Those selected have demonstrated extraordinary leadership potential, but may not see it in themselves. They may lead quietly, silently, or by example, yet others believe that their voices should be amplified. Further, they represent a range of backgrounds, experiences, interests, and associations within the school community, while upholding good social and academic standing. A School Contact facilitates the nomination process and notifies recommended OLs of their selection in the spring of their first year.
The program is completely free of charge for participants, thanks to our generous donors and community partners!
OLs have monthly, one-hour meetings with their OLAs during the school year, along with several, brief assignments each month. In total, students should expect to dedicate 30-90 minutes each month to the program’s coursework. Additionally, the Institute hosts two required, in-person events: the Fall Forum and the Year End Celebration, that unite OLs from across the state. There are also occasional, optional events by region, such as a career open house or workshop, that OLs can attend.