2012 was a busy and successful year for Global Women's Leadership Network (GWLN). We thank you for your support that made these achievements possible.
FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
"I am thrilled and honored to join a team that is dedicated to the global cause of improving gender equality
and empowering women leaders. It has taken the passion, commitment and hard work of many to build a global community network with 160 GWLN alumni who are trans-forming the world by creating new opportunities for women. I look forward to continuing the journey to inspire and support other amazing women leaders in the U.S. and internationally." -
Michelle Swenson
Celebrating Major Milestones: A Year in Review
In December, we held an event to celebrate the year’s accomplishments with our sponsors, supporters, volunteers, GWLN graduates and other community leaders.
Sema Basol, co-founder of the Turkish Women's Initiative and graduate from the Women Leaders for the World (WLW) program in 2007 spoke about her work to empower young women leaders in Turkey.
Through the Sparks leadership development program for university students, women build skills through community-based social change projects. During the 2011-12 school year, these projects have collectively impacted the lives of 18,000 individuals in Turkey.
Women Leaders for the World 2012
During the summer, 21 women leaders from around the world traveled to Silicon Valley to spend a week participating in the eighth annual
Women Leaders for the World (WLW) program. Each leader presented her vision and breakthrough project at the community event attended by over 200 people.
Leader of Impact Award
GWLN’s first Leader of Impact contest received nearly 12,000
votes from 79 countries. Our winner,
Sandhya Puchalapalli is a WLW 2008 alumni who passionately advocates against female foeticide and infanticide in India. For over 20 years, Sandhya and Aarti Home have been working tirelessly to ensure girls survive and are empowered to exercise choices over their lives.
New and Improved Website
Check out our redesigned website with the latest news and events,
GWLN alumni profiles, geographic cross references and search capabilities. View the
Profiles of Impact that demonstrate how your support is making a difference around the world.
A Stellar Year for Social Media
Thanks to you, we now have over 1,000
Facebook fans and more than 5,000 Twitter followers! Through our partnership with Santa Clara University, GWLN appeared on MarketWatch, a major online website followed by the financial and business community.
Leadership Team
In October, Global Women's Leadershi
p Network announced our first Executive Director. Michelle Swenson succeeded GWLN Founder, Linda Alepin, as she continues in a key leadership role as Chair of the
Governance Board.
More Donors, More Supporters, More Impact
As we look forward to a new year, 2013 promises to be another milestone year with plans to expand the WLW program outside the U.S. We need your continued support to deliver programs that realize our vision for a better future based on social justice for women, girls, families and the community-at-large.
Sincerely,
Global Women's Leadership Network
Whole Woman, Whole Leader, Whole World
www.gwln.org
