SWEETWATER COUNTY — Leap into Leadership is hosted by the Wyoming Women’s Foundation (WYWF), in partnership with the Wyoming Women’s Legislative Caucus (a project of The Equipoise Fund.) Since 2008, these workshops have aimed at increasing women’s leadership at all levels across the state. Workshops were held in Sweetwater and Natrona counties on May 13 and May 14.

The ‘Leap into Leadership’ trainings were one-day workshops designed to encourage women to become more involved in leadership in their communities – from serving on boards to seeking elected office. Participants discussed how to organize a campaign, listened to the experience of a panel of local women leaders and created ‘stump’ speeches for their upcoming goals.

The events included panel discussions from local community leaders, as well as hearing from leaders holding both local and statewide elected positions. Panelists included: Former State Superintendent of Public Instruction Judy Catchpole; Senator Bernadine Craft; Business Owner Cindy Bailey; Casper Community Development Director Liz Becher; Representative JoAnn Dayton; Business Owner Faith Harris; Superintendent of Sweetwater County School District 2 Donna Little-Kaumo; Casper Councilwoman Kenyne Schlager; Attorney Susan Stubson; Natrona County Clerk Renea Vitto; Rock Springs Councilwoman Glennise Wendorf; and Executive Director for the Natrona County Library Foundation Beth Worthen.

Panelists discussed various ways women can lead their communities – through local boards and committees, and volunteering – and how these roles may be beneficial in running for public office. The elected leadership panel also discussed experiences from their individual campaigns, and offered advice to women considering working on a, or running their own, campaign.

The workshop consisted of sessions specifically focused on planning, communications, and building one’s civic resume. Faith Winter, from Colorado, provided workshop sessions using a nationally proven curriculum from the nonpartisan organization, VoteRunLead. “I was excited to see the breadth and depth of experience of women leaders across Wyoming.  It was an honor to work with them to take their next steps in leadership,” Winter said.  “With these women giving back to their communities, the future of Wyoming is bright.”

Event sponsors include: The Equipoise Fund, the Wyoming Women’s Legislative Caucus, WyoFile, the Sweetwater Board of Cooperative Educational Services, The Outlaw Inn (Rock Springs), the Comfort Inn (Evansville), Western Wyoming Beverage/Pepsi, and the Wyoming Community Foundation.

The Wyoming Women’s Foundation is a Special Focus Area of the Wyoming Community Foundation. WYWF invests in the economic self- sufficiency of women and the future of girls; for more information, please visit www.wywf.org. The nonpartisan Wyoming Women’s Legislative Caucus (www.wyowlc.org), sponsored by The Equipoise Fund, promotes women in the Wyoming legislature through support and leadership development.