ANN INC. the parent Company of Ann Taylor and LOFT, and Vital Voices Global Partnership are proud to announce the 2013 ANNpower Fellows.
In January 2013, ANN INC. and Vital Voices launched a nationwide search for young women who embody the skills and have the potential to be the next leaders of their generation. Through a competitive national application process, ANN INC. and Vital Voices selected 50 girls, who are high school sophomore and juniors, from across the country to become ANNpower Fellows and participate in the 2013 ANNpower Vital Voices Leadership Forum in Washington, D.C., April 1-4.
The newly selected Fellows hail from 23 states and Puerto Rico and have a common interest in creating innovative solutions to challenges in their communities. Their ideas range from creating mentorship programs to addressing environmental issues to reducing childhood obesity. They are a diverse and dynamic group that includes girls like Jane, a sophomore who wants to make a difference in her hometown, Oberlin, Ohio by developing a mentoring program for 4th and 5th graders to increase the number of girls entering STEM fields.
"We are so inspired by our 2013 ANNpower Fellows." said Kay Krill, president and CEO of ANN INC., "These women are emerging leaders and are committed to serving their communities. It is an honor and privilege to play a part in their path to leadership in partnership with Vital Voices."
At the three-day ANNpower Leadership Forum, the 50 Fellows will undergo a comprehensive leadership training program to equip them with the skills to take on leadership roles as young women and create meaningful change in their communities. In addition, they will be mentored by internationally renowned women leaders who are part of the Vital Voices Global Leadership Network, ANN INC. executives, including Kay Krill, and Vital Voices president and CEO Alyse Nelson.
"We are committed to empowering young women to lead change, and I am so proud that we have ANN INC. as our partner in this important work. The ANNpower Vital Voices Leadership Forum provides a unique opportunity to develop the skills of talented young women and connects our Fellows as a powerful network of peers that continues beyond the Forum; it's these emerging voices who will bring progress to their communities as the next generation of leaders." said Vital Voices president and CEO, Alyse Nelson.
Upon completion of the program, Fellows are tasked to take their first steps as leaders and create a project that will affect a positive social change in their respective communities. Each Fellow will be eligible to receive an ANNpower Project Grant to put her ideas into action. Through their projects, ANNpower Fellows will create a ripple effect that is estimated to positively impact more than 5,000 members of their collective communities throughout the country each year.