I just received great news!

Brittany,

Congratulations!  You have been awarded $535.00 from The Nancy Siteman Fellows Fund to help cover expenses associated with your summer internship with Global Youth Connect. 

 

How Exciting!!  Below I have copied a little information about the Fund and what it supplies money for.  It is supplied by Nancy Siteman specifically for Shear Fellows (Like ME!) to help aid in costs associated with public service.  Since people who are trying to help the public through service or better the world are so often overlooked (both in pay, opportunities, etc.) it's so wonderful that this fund has been established! 

Helping others is one of the few things that truly CAN make a difference in our world and this is frequently forgotten.  After years of college and those expenses, who in their right mind would like to take a job, internship, fellowship, etc. for....virtually no money.  Money is not what controls happiness, but struggling to pay back school loans and buying a house and marriage, kids, life in general.... it starts to add up.  It is easy to see why these public service appointments that many people dreamed of having while in college (so they could save the world) are so often overlooked for higher-paying positions that may or may not have the same type of impact that those dreamy-eyed college students had once admired and strive for.   

Nancy Siteman Fellows' Fund

The Sue Shear Institute for Women in Public Life is pleased to again offer graduates of the 21st Century Leadership Academy an opportunity to apply for funding from the Nancy Siteman Fellows’ Fund, made possible by a generous gift from Nancy Siteman.

The purpose of the Fund is to provide a limited source of funding for Shear Fellows wishing to pursue public interest activities that may otherwise be prohibitive because of cost.

Now while reading this you probably saw the name "Sue Shear" and "21st Century Leadership Academy" etc. and are wondering what in the world those things are?!  Well let me just tell you that the Sue Shear Institute for Women in Public Life hosts the 21 Century Leadership Academy each year and it is by far one of the most amazing experiences that a young, motivated woman can have.  It is specifically for young college women in Missouri.  Each Missouri college sends a few women for this week-long Leadership Academy and each woman at the Academy represents every academic major, personality, political opinion, level of political efficacy, race, religion.... all levels of diversity. 

Throughout the week, Shear Fellows learn and practice leadership skills, discuss important public policy issues, connect with women leaders from the public and private sectors and explore the meaning and practice of leadership in a diverse society.

The Leadership Academy curriculum includes interactive panel discussions, small group exercises, skill-building workshops, and opportunities to network with women leaders who are shaping public policy as elected officials, government leaders and policy advocates. These women role models make policy “real” and donate their time to give participants a glimpse of what it means to be a woman in public life. They also help participants develop leadership skills that will increase their effectiveness as policy makers.  One of the many highlights during the week is a day-trip to Jefferson City where participants will participate in a mock legislative session at the State Capitol, and have lunch with women leaders in state government and the judiciary at the Governor's Mansion.

I have never felt so privileged to be part of something so amazing!  Just to prove how important this Academy is and the power of networking.... One lovely lady that I met while at Sue Shear was Amy Williams.  Ms. Williams is the epitome of a dedicated and driven individual that wholeheartedly believes in making the world a better place.  After the Academy, she traveled to Rwanda with Global Youth Connect.  She is the one who truly encouraged me to get involved with this great NGO!  And without the Academy I would have never had the confidence to apply for something so.... scary.  This group of women who have put together the Academy are absolutely amazing and have worked so incredibly hard to help women achieve their full potential.

DID YOU KNOW....Women are a majority of the population but they make up less than 25 percent of the Missouri Legislature and are minority participants at all levels of public policy leadership. The Sue Shear Institute for Women in Public Life exists to make government accessible to all Missouri citizens by encouraging women's full participation in the policy process.  The Academy is the first step in helping to shape Missouri's future leaders.... The class of 2010 was truly a group of movers and shakers and true INTERNATIONAL TRAVELERS!

I know that I would never have transformed into the woman I am today without the amazing week and without all of the wonderful ladies that I was able to meet throughout it.  I am so very proud to say that I am a 2010 Shear Fellow!