WPFF Girls Leadership EdgeSM (GLE) is an evidence-based leadership skills development curriculum for middle school girls ages 13 to 15. Created and funded by the Women’s Professional Forum Foundation, the program was designed by the Center for Creative Leadership (CCL) in 2016. To date, more than 140 girls led by CCL facilitators have focused on self-awareness, defining purpose, communicating effectively, appreciating differences and resolving conflict. Girls participating in the program are finding their voice and learning to use it to lead in their communities.

GLE is getting high marks from the both middle school girl participants and facilitators. Many thanks to our partners at the YWCA in High Point, LeadershipLINKS Inc., Empowered Girls of NC, Greensboro Montessori School, Greensboro Parks and Recreation, Greensboro Day School, Kellin Foundation and the Boys and Girls Club of High Point who collectively launched GLE in 2017.

“I learned to stop putting myself down.”

“Anyone can be a leader and I am smart.”

“I need to open up more about myself because I realized how important I am.”

Girls Leadership Edge, a gift to the community from the Women’s Professional Forum Foundation, is committed to helping middle school girls in Guilford County develop Courage, Compassion and Confidence. For 20 years, the Foundation awarded grants to organizations that empower girls and women in Guilford County. In 2016, we took a giant step forward create GLE and make a bigger impact. We recognized the need for an interactive, experiential learning curriculum that would support and elevate the remarkable work already being done by organizations serving our girls and young women.

The GLE Curriculum

Girls Leadership Edge was co-created by the Foundation and world-renowned Center for Creative Leadership in collaboration with the Guilford Nonprofit Consortium (click here for CCL’s case study). In its pilot year, the Foundation provided funding and on-going inspiration for CCL’s research, design and testing of the highly interactive curriculum. We developed a robust tool kit of resources to train the first eighteen community facilitators. GLE is a sequence of five 2-hour modules. Girls are encouraged to complete all five modules within a 9-month period.

WPFF Girls' Leadership Edge Toolkit

The sequence and modules are:

  1. Self-Definition:  Who am I?
  2. Purpose: What is important to me?
  3. Sharing: How do I communicate effectively with others?
  4. Connecting:  How do I recognize and value differences?
  5. Conflict Resolution: How do I stand up for what I believe in?

Facilitator Training and Tool Kit

Facilitators receive a Tool Kit including a Facilitator’s Guide, Girl’s Workbook, Exploration Card Decks, experiential activity components and more to use on an on-going basis

Interested in Girls Leadership Edge?

If you would like to learn more about participating in WPFF Girls Leadership EdgeSM, click the link below to send us an email. Please note your area of interest and a member of Women’s Professional Forum Foundation will contact you.

Yes! I’m interested in WPFF Girls Leadership EdgeSM