The Leadership Institute for Political and Public Impact, or LIPPI, equips women to become civic leaders in their communities, to impact policy on the local, state, and national levels, and to seek and hold on to elected positions. The year-long institute focuses on areas such as community organizing, the legislative process and policy-making, campaign management, fundraising, board participation, and running for office. LIPPI gives women the tools – and just as importantly the confidence – they need to become civic, professional and political leaders.

Leadership is limitless and there are no boundaries...when you support LIPPI with this special gift you are supporting women who know no boundaries. They range in age from 21 to 60+ and they hail from across our four counties, from a variety of political, ethnic, and socio-economic backgrounds. They come together in pursuit of their voice.

Last year's LIPPI graduate, Cynthia Staniszewski, sums it up best: "LIPPI inspired me to transcend my own expectations, turn up the volume so my voice is heard, put passion, principles, and imagination to work on behalf of others while inviting them to so the same. Thank you, it’s been an incredible year, and I’m so excited to see where we all go.”

The Results Are In!

Here is a snapshot of where our LIPPI women are taking their leadership skills:

• 12 running for public office including city councils, register of deeds, school committees and more
• 1 accepted into the Yale Women’s Campaign School
• Successful adoption of a state legislative amendment proposed by LIPPI participant

• 1 woman of color appointee to the Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women
• 2 appointed to the housing authorities

• 1 founded and directs the Alliance of Black Professionals
• 1 promoted to Holyoke Police Force Captain
• 35-40% of LIPPI participants are women of color
• 75 women graduated from LIPPI, 40 currently enrolled