Young Girls - as leaders for tomorrow

   I read an interesting article in the Washington Post, Many Potential Leaders of Tomorrow Reject the Role, which both encourages me and offers me concern.   The article talks about a poll that was commissioned last year by the Girl Scout Research Institute.   It shows that the majority of U.S. girls and boys don't want to be leaders, and those that do, tend to be from the minority community - African Americans, Hispanics, or female Asians.  

    It is so distressing to see that a majority of our youth have little or not interest in assuming leadership roles.   What they tell us, instead, is that they would prefer to to fit in, make a lot of money, and help animals or the environment.   Girls not only don't want to be leaders, but don't believe that they have the qualities of a leader, "..such as being outgoing, hardworking and responsble."  The research further told us that they worried about what their peers would think of them if they stood up as a leader

  This is so sad - particularly in this election year, when we may witness the first woman, or the first African American, as President of the United States.   How shocking that this still, apparently, does not inspire young women to pursue leadership roles. 

   The silver lining is that 53% of Black girls, 50% of Hispanic girls, and 59% of Asian girls do in fact want to be a leader.   The research showed that they are less likely to worry about their capabilities.   They are active and engaged at church and youth serving organizations, so are more comfortable in assuming responsibility.    This represents a great opportunity for the minority communities to capitalize on, and a great opportunity to use this enthusiasm to nurture these future leaders.   For caucasian girls, only 34% expressed the desire to be a leader - and this should send out a warning shot to this community.

   WIPP members are concerned about this data and will seek opportunities to use this information to foster programs and relationships to help young girls recognize their abilities and seize opportunities to make a difference in their communities and this country.