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Now in its third year, the NLO program is designed to educate, empower and encourage college women to become politically active and assume leadership roles on their campuses and in their communities. By participating in the NLO program, college women find out why and how to get involved in politics through interaction with Oregon's past and present women office holders, candidates, policy specialists, non-profit and business leaders, and activists. Hands-on skills-building workshops will teach women to lead by taking action. This year’s students come from Clackamas Community College, Lewis and Clark College, Oregon Institute of Technology, Oregon State University, Portland Community College, Portland State University, Reed College, University of Oregon and Western Oregon University. All 30 students will be housed on campus in Epler Hall.
“I am so proud to lead this organization into its third year of successful leadership training,” said Melody Rose, founder and executive director of the National Education for Women's Leadership™ Oregon. “NLO passes on the collective knowledge, skills, and achievements from the political women veterans to the next generation of women leaders. Collectively, we will move the state forward both in terms of equity, but also in the development of exceptional leaders ready to solve our most critical public policy dilemmas.”
Lectures and panel discussions will include “Working Effectively Across Differences in Our Communities,” “Effective Issue & Policy Advocacy” and “From Community Service to Political Action,” “Running an Effective Campaign,” “Public Speaking and Communications Skills,” and “Making Connections: How to Work a Room,” as well as many other topics and events. Panelists include Goli Ameri, senior advisor, U.S. United Nations Delegate; Julia Brim-Edwards, Nike, Inc.; Lisa Grove, Grove Insights; Sue Hildick, The Chalkboard Project; Gretchen Kafoury, former city and county Commissioner and state representative; Vera Katz, former mayor of Portland; Betty Roberts, former Oregon Supreme Court justice; Chiquita Rollins, Multnomah County Domestic Violence Coordinator; Rep. Carolyn Tomei, Oregon House of Representatives; and Lillian Tsai, TsaiComms.
The session also includes a day-long visit to Salem on Monday, June 26, hosted by former Governor Barbara Roberts. The day in Salem includes a tour of the Capitol, and conducting mock committee hearings and legislative session in the Senate Chambers (1:15-2:15 p.m.), where the students will debate a food bill on the Senate floor. The day culminates with a reception, celebrating the NEW Leadership™ Oregon class of 2006, in PSU’s Native American Student and Community Center, 710 SW Jackson Avenue, at 5:30 p.m. Gov. Roberts will give the keynote address.
National Education for Women’s™ Leadership
National Education for Women's Leadership™ Oregon (NLO), housed in the Mark O. Hatfield School of Government, is a nationally recognized program to find, mentor and train future women leaders. The program is patterned after a project created at the Center for American Women and Politics (CAWP) at Rutgers University in New Jersey in 1991 and has extended to schools in fifteen states nation-wide. The Oregon chapter was formed in 2003 and is affiliated with Rutgers through the NEW Leadership Development Network.
Mark O. Hatfield School of Government
The Mark O. Hatfield School of Government, named in honor of Oregon's highly respected former senator, is a dynamic, fast-growing public affairs institution in Portland State’s College of Urban and Public Affairs. Students and faculty are active participants in the life of the surrounding city, local and regional politics, and international institutions.
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Source:
Melody Rose, Ph.D. (503-725-3137)
Director, NEW Leadership™ Oregon
For Immediate Release (#06-090)
