"Redefining Beautiful" Scholarship Program and Leadership Summit

March 11, 2009

EMwomen International, a non-profit organization founded by Larry and Staci Wallace of Hot Springs, Arkansas is passionately dedicated to leadership development of women and girls in Garland County. On Monday, EMwomen officially launched the “Redefining Beautiful” Scholarship Program and the EMpact Leadership Summit with the goal of overturning the state's disparaging statistics for women's leadership, health, and economic development in Arkansas.

By holding assemblies at each of the high schools in Garland County, EMwomen (Empowering Women) is encouraging girls age 16-19 to enter the "Redefining Beautiful" essay contest and leadership development program. Girls are encouraged to tell how their life stories and vision for change have the potential to impact their community and the world. This week, Lakeside High School held their assembly with over 300 Junior High and High School girls in attendance. "We are so excited to watch how this program affects the leadership and social development of the girls who get to attend." said Principle Bruce Orr. Other schools in Garland County will be holding their assemblies over the next two weeks.

Girls are invited to enter the scholarship program and essay contest online at emwomen.com, where 12 winners will be selected to attend the EMpact Leadership Summit to be held throughout the summer. The Summit is is a comprehensive, 6 week leadership development program where girls will learn leadership skills such as goal setting, team building, emotional management, public speaking, social graces, poise & etiquette, financial training, community involvement, experience a day's ropes course, junior golf clinic, health screenings, archery, fitness education, cooking classes, as well as participate in a “Big Give” fundraising contest giving them the opportunity to work with mentors and leaders in the community.

Staci Wallace states, "Arkansas ranks 49th out of the 50 United States for women’s leadership development, health and fitness, economic strength and overall empowerment for women. I believe we can change those statistics by investing in the leadership development of tomorrow’s leaders today. The EMpact Leadership Summit is the beginning of our dedication to raising up a new generation of leaders with character, integrity, and leadership skills that are necessary to a life of balanced success."

If you would like to learn more about the “Redefining Beautiful” Scholarship Program or how you partake in the EMpact Leadership Summit please visit EMwomen.com or call Staci Wallace at 501-262-9047.