PLEN: Public Leadership Education Network
Through the Public Leadership Education Network (PLEN), students attend seminars and network with members of Congress and other women leaders in Washington, D.C. Seminars address issues of law, science, technology, congress, as well as international and national policy.
Women, Law, & Public Policy Seminar
Application due October 7, 2011
November 12 - 14, 2011
Washington, D.C.
The Women, Law, & Public Policy seminar provides the opportunity for those students interested in pursuing a career in law and public policy to obtain information about this path. At the Women, Law, & Public Policy seminar students will meet and learn from women lawyers who are making and influencing public policy in Washington, D.C. Students will also discover the variety of public leadership career opportunities for women lawyers and discuss public policy issues with women attorneys who work for congressional committees, executive agencies, law firms, corporations, and advocacy organizations.
Women & Science/Technology Seminar
Applications due October 21, 2011
January 3-7, 2012
Washington, D.C.
The Women & Science/Technology Policy Seminar brings you behind the scenes of official Washington, introduces you to women policymakers in science and technology, and allows you to observe the system at work. This seminar is designed for women students majoring in science and technology and provides the opportunity to explore the public policy dimensions of their fields. However, the program is open to all students who have demonstrated a strong interest in science and technology issues.
About PLEN
The Public Leadership Education Network (PLEN) is the only national organization whose sole mission is preparing women for public leadership.
Each year, PLEN brings hundreds of women students from colleges and universities across the country to Washington, D.C. for a weekend, week, or an entire semester to experience first-hand how public policy is shaped and implemented at the national level. These students meet with and learn from women leaders making and influencing public policy at some of the highest levels in the Congress, courts, federal agencies, corporate sector, policy research and advocacy organizations, and the media.
History
PLEN was founded over twenty-five years ago at Wells College by its president Frances Tarlton (Sissy) Farenthold. An attorney, former state legislator and gubernatorial candidate in Texas, Sissy Farenthold earned national recognition as the founding president of the National Women's Political Caucus and for her nomination in 1972 for the vice presidency of the United States at the Democratic National Convention.
To realize her vision of a network of women's colleges educating women for leadership roles in the public arena, Sissy Farenthold turned to Ruth B. Mandel, then director of the Center for American Women and Politics (CAWP) and Betsey Wright, former head of the National Women's Education Fund (NWEF). Together they drafted a proposal that was funded by the Carnegie Corporation of New York. PLEN was launched in 1978 when four other women's colleges joined with Wells College. Today PLEN's membership includes 17 colleges and universities. PLEN member institutions offer students opportunities to learn about and practice leadership as student government leaders, public policy interns, and community service volunteers. PLEN institutions offer courses on leadership and sponsor women's leadership institutes that serve women in their region.
PLEN's programs are open to women students at all colleges and universities.
For more information about PLEN, go to: www.plen.org.
For more information about the PLEN program please email leadership@msmc.la.edu.