Take the Lead

Take the Lead is a nationally-acclaimed program that connects Mount Holyoke College student leaders with action-oriented high school women who are passionate about important issues and who have designed projects to address critical social needs in their communities and beyond.

 Forty-five young women entering their junior year of high school have been chosen from a highly competitive pool of applicants to attend the Take the Lead program scheduled for October 1-4, 2009.  Each TTL participant is paired with a Mount Holyoke College mentor who encourages and guides her student during an inspiring and dynamic leadership skills-building weekend. Students live in dorms with their TTL Mentors who offer friendship and work with students on their project proposals to develop an action plan.  A few of the many successful projects launched by these enterprising young women and supported by Mount Holyoke College student mentors include a summer camp for abused children, an education and funding project for families in Darfur, and a bill passed in the Utah legislature to help close the wage gap between men and women. 

Positions Available
There are a few positions still available for well qualified Mount Holyoke College students to serve as mentors, leaders, and back-up support. If you act quickly, you can get involved in a unique opportunity to serve as a leader and a champion to high school women with goals and action plans for social change. If you identify as a leader and enjoy helping others to recognize and cultivate their own leadership skills, Take the Lead is an opportunity you won’t want to miss. A training session for TTL mentors and alternates will be held in late September prior to the arrival of the high school students. In recognition of their service, stipends are offered to mentors ($100) and alternate mentors ($50).  To apply, contact Yedalis Ruiz, TTL Director, or submit an application.