We launched the Olympia Snowe Women’s Leadership Institute!
The Institute launched with 45 Olympia’s Leaders (OLs) from all seven high schools serving Androscoggin County—where Senator Snowe is from. The inaugural class was supported by 14 women mentors. The Institute established a Leaders Network for select women representing Community Partners, in order to enhance the confidence and competence of professionals working in Maine and supporting the Institute’s mission.
completed statewide expansion, reaching all 16 counties!
The Institute expanded from seven Partner Schools to 21, ensuring at least one school in each county across Maine was represented. The program then served more than 150 OLs supported by more than 50 women mentors—triple the inaugural program’s size. The Harold Alfond Foundation announced a match of new and increased donations up to $1.4 million to help the Institute build a sustainable endowment, which was completed. EXISTING:
We grew to include at least two schools in each county!
The Institute completed a second round of statewide expansion, ensuring at least two schools in each county were represented and increasing the total number of Partner Schools to 36. The Institute then served 300 Olympia’s Leaders with the support of more than 100 women mentors—doubling the size of the program. At this point, the threeyear curriculum for “My Values,” “My Voice,” and “My Vision” was fully implemented.
We graduated the inaugural class of Olympia’s Leaders!
The inaugural class of OLs graduated from the Institute—with 100% of the class of 2018, pictured above, reporting that the Institute had increased understanding of their value systems and made a difference in their confidence. In the fall, the program’s growth continued as another sophomore class joined each of the 36 Partner Schools, bringing the total of OLs served to 465, supported by 200 women mentors.
We continued to scale the program and began an Alum network!
In the fall, the Institute reached the full capacity of its three-year program—then serving 540 OLs across all three classes. The Institute established an Alum Network to support graduates as they navigate post-secondary life in higher education, military service, training programs, or the workforce. Maine Governor Janet Mills joined the Fall Forum to share her story and celebrate the 100th anniversary of women’s suffrage.
We persisted through the pandemic and added optional offerings!
When faced with the COVID-19 pandemic, the Institute quickly shifted its program to a new format with mailed materials, online classes, outdoor meetings, livestreamed events, and a hub of external opportunities and resources. The Sharon Y. Miller Leadership Award was added to honor the Institute’s Founding Board Chair and select OLs who use their values and voices to positively impact their school or community.
We enhanced the program and earned accreditation!
The program was awarded accreditation, providing OLs the option to earn three college credits and digital badges at no cost to them. A scholarship was added to benefit OLs who excelled in both the Institute and JMG—brought to Maine by Senator’s husband and former Maine Governor, John McKernan. Lincoln Academy joined on, bringing the total of OLs served to 555. Leaders Network membership grew to exceed 300 women.
We established an Alum Council to serve Institute graduates!
The Institute returned to in-person programming. Welcome Orientations were shifted to the spring of the OLs’ ninth-grade year to engage students sooner. Through retroactive coursework, the first OLs received free college credit, equivalent to a 200-level Business Leadership course. An Alum Council was launched to strengthen the Alum Network and provide additional personal and professional development, chaired by Tessa Solomon.
We
founded the first Alum Chapter at a university!
The first Alum Chapter was launched at the University of Southern Maine, and the Institute hosted an Alum, Si Ting Chen, as its first summerlong Intern. The Institute collaborated with JMG to facilitate 40-hours of work experience and provide a $500 stipend to OLs opting to earn its Maine Career Exploration Badge. Institute-exclusive and Institute-partnered scholarships totaled nearly $2 million in awards to OLs.
We hired an Institute graduate to focus on
Rizzajem Reboquio, a Class of 2019 OL of Lewiston, was hired as Alum Relations & Data Specialist at the Institute. Alum Chapters were launched at the University of Maine and Husson University. Institute-exclusive and Institute-partnered scholarships awarded to OLs totaled more than $2.8 million. The cumulative number of young women to have participated in the Institute’s program grew to exceed 1,400.
We are celebrating 10 years of raising confidence and aspirations!
PERCENTAGE OF CLASS OF 2024 OLS WHO SAID THE INSTITUTE IMPROVED THEIR THEIR ABILITY TO:
LISTEN ACTIVELY AND KEEP AN OPEN MIND
UNDERSTAND THEIR VALUE SYSTEM
COMMUNICATE EFFECTIVELY AND APPROPRIATELY
APPRECIATE AND COLLABORATE WITH DIVERSE PEOPLE
TACKLE CHALLENGES AND TAKE RESPONSIBILITY BUILD AND MAINTAIN A NETWORK
The Institute’s data demonstrates OLs are making extraordinary progress in all nine of its measured outcomes. The program’s structure now supports students through high school, into post-secondary life, and as they enter Maine’s workforce. We are deeply grateful for all the corporations, foundations, and individuals choosing to support the Institute and its continuum of impact as we develop the next generation of Maine leaders.
OLYMPIA’S LEADERS AND ALUMS ARE EMPLOYED BY, OR OWN, THESE MAINE BUSINESSES:
Andwell Health Partners
Aroostook Health Center Mars Hill
Bangor Savings Bank
BlushTan, Portland*
Brighter Homes LLC*
Care & Comfort
Casa, Inc
Central Maine Medical Center
Chewonki Foundation
Community Pharmacy
Criterium Engineers
Down East Community Hospital
FA Peabody
Franklin Journal
Fresenius Medical Care
Healthy Acadia
Hibbard Skilled Nursing & Rehabilitation
Machias Savings Bank
Madi’s Kitchen*
Maine Army National Guard
Maine Environmental Education
Association
Maine Medical Center
Maine Public Broadcasting
MaineGeneral Medical Center
Margaret Murphy Centers for Children
MAS Community Health
Mid Coast Hospital
Northern Light Pharmacy
Orono Commons
Pace Paramedic Service & Central
Maine Medical Center
Pen Bay Rheumatology
Penobscot Community Heath Care
Penobscot Veterinary Services, LLC
Portland Ballet
Quahog Bay Conservation
Rayus Radiology
Russell Park Rehabilitation & Learning Center
Sevee and Maher Engineers, Inc.
Shalom House
Southern Maine Health Care
St. Mary’s Regional Medical Center
The John F. Murphy Homes
Thomas College
Toddle Inn Child Care
Town of Farmington
Transportation Security Administration
Tree Street Youth
Trillium Caterers
University of Maine
University Credit Union
Waldo County General Hospital
Walgreens
*An OL owns this company
82% of all Alums are pursuing STEM studies or careers, and 75% of Alums have chosen to stay in Maine. More than 900 OLs have already entered the workforce or begun career studies, and that number will grow by more than 150 each year. The Institute looks forward to collaborating with Community Partner organizations to connect more OLs to internships and long-term employment as the years go on.