Governor Janet Mills has donated the surplus funding from her inauguration to three Maine nonprofit organizations that support the growth and success of Maine youth, giving $10,500 each to the Olympia Snowe Women’s Leadership Institute (the Institute), the Mitchell Institute, and Camp Susan Curtis.
“From day one, the success and wellbeing of Maine’s kids have been at the heart of my administration. I’m proud to donate the remaining funds from my inauguration to outstanding organizations founded by three exemplary Maine leaders – Senator George Mitchell, Senator Olympia Snowe, and Governor Ken Curtis – all of which are dedicated to helping our youth thrive. I hope these donations will allow the Mitchell Institute, the Olympia Snowe Women’s Leadership Institute, and Camp Susan Curtis to strengthen their great work to help kids across Maine,” said Governor Mills.
The Institute strives to raise the confidence and aspirations of high school girls by helping them develop the skills required to be leaders in their lives, families, careers, and communities. The unique program is focused on helping participants develop their values, voice, and vision. Since launching in 2015, participation has grown from 49 high school girls – known as “Olympia’s Leaders” – to 555 participants across all 16 counties. Approximately 600 participants have graduated from the three-year program since its inception.
“I am deeply honored that, with support from donors, Governor Mills and her Inaugural Committee have selected my Women’s Leadership Institute to join the Mitchell Institute and Camp Susan Curtis in receiving her remaining inaugural funds. The Governor’s extraordinary generosity will be instrumental in furthering the Institute’s mission to build the confidence and aspirations of Maine girls. Governor Mills’ relationship with my Institute goes back to her first year in office as the first female governor of our great state. In the fall of 2019, she attended our annual Fall Forum and addressed more than 500 Olympia’s Leaders participating in our program. As I said at the time, Janet’s many successes and firsts serve as a phenomenal example to our Olympia’s Leaders that, in our state, you can be whatever you want to be—and I remain profoundly grateful for her enduring support of the Institute’s efforts to show girls all across Maine that there are no limits to what women can achieve,” said the Honorable Olympia Snowe, former U.S. Senator and Founder of the Institute.
Read more about other ways Governor Mills has prioritized the prosperity and wellbeing of Maine’s youth.