The Women’s LeadHership Institute recently grew bigger by inducting their newest members.
The female-led organization held the induction on Aug. 28 at Virginia State University’s Gateway Dining Hall. Twelve female students were accepted into the organization by the Women’s LeadHership’s executive board.
The Women’s LeadHership Institute is an organization at VSU that is exclusively for the women at Virginia State. The organization’s mission is to create an environment in which every woman’s needs and potentials are met and nurtured.
“The mission of EmpowerHer is to create safe spaces where women can build confidence, leadership skills, and community connections,” said Cassandra Price, one of the members of the executive board, when describing the goals of Women’s LeadHership and EmpowerHer.
The induction consisted of a dinner and the newest inductees interacting with both the executive board and the older members. These interactions helped the newest members to not only establish connections, but they were also able to make friendships and establish mentorships.
After everyone was finished intermingling with each other, each member of the executive board went to the front of the room where the induction was being held and spoke to the inductees. Each of the members gave words of encouragement and words of praise to the inductees.
“One of the most rewarding things is seeing young women step into leadership roles they never thought they could handle,” Price said, when describing what it was like to induct the newest members. “I’ve watched women go from being unsure of themselves to leading panels, starting businesses, or mentoring others.”
After the executive board members spoke to the inductees, it was time for the newest members to be inducted into the Women’s LeadHership Institute. The newest members were also inducted into the subgroup of the Women’s LeadHership called EmpowerHer.
“In EmpowerHer, it’s about helping women build that confidence and equipping them with tools so they can create the future they want,” Price said.
Price also described what it was like to see the work that EmpowerHer has done being performed by the members in the community.
“In the community, it shows up as workshops, mentorship programs, and resources for career development,” Price said.
After the members were inducted, the members of both the executive board and the student members were able to serve themselves dinner and eat.
When reminiscing on how the newest members represent the goals and mission of EmpowerHer, Price said that the members make every day of her life worth it.
“The women themselves keep me motivated,” Price said. “Knowing that someone is counting on me, that someone’s life can change through what we do, it makes every hard day worth it.”
