Mission Statement

The purpose of the Harvard-Radcliffe Women's Leadership Project is to foster the effective leadership of a diverse group of women. The Project aims to impact both individuals and organizations at various developmental stages in order to nurture meaningful experiences on campus and beyond. The Project is committed to the following services for women: participating in the personal and professional development of women, providing opportunities and access to critical resources, strengthening the network of supportive and positive role models, and encouraging open discussion about the complex issues and difficult choices that many women face.

History

The Women's Leadership Project was founded in 1988 by former undergraduates Amy Zegart and Meredith Lazo. Noting the absence of women in top-level positions in extra-curricular organizations and the unequal participation of women in class discussions, the founders were concerned about the scarcity of female leadership at Harvard-Radcliffe college. The Project's founders responded by organizing the first Women's Leadership Conference in the hope that such an investment would eventually increase women's involvement in public life.

Believing that lasting change required institutional support as well as student initiative, the Project's founders approached three cornerstone institutions of Harvard University for sponsorship of their endeavor: Harvard College, because of its focus on undergraduate education; Radcliffe College*, because of its dedication to the advancement of women; and the Institute of Politics at the John F. Kennedy School of Government, because of its commitment to involve undergraduates in leadership in the public sphere.

* Currently, WLP is funded by the Ann Radcliffe Trust.