LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Louisville Girls Leadership is a nonprofit that began in 1997 with the purpose to equip and empower girls to step into their leadership. Executive Director Carmellia Jackson-Hurley says this is an opportunity to help the girls with what she would have needed when she was younger.

“I try to make sure that the adults that are involved or anyone else or the organization that are involved would have been what I would have wanted or what I know my peers would have wanted as high schoolers. We don’t know a lot and that timeframe, and we’re still discovering it all. So I always love the opportunity to just like give them new avenues to think about,” said Jackson-Hurley.

Their mission is by girls for girls. Students who have already completed the program have the chance to lead sessions and recruit other girls. There are currently 60 members from all the high schools throughout Louisville.

“We look for sophomores, juniors and seniors and any of our local schools who show great promise. And so our juniors and seniors pick those students. We have our cohort and so then we meet twice a month to go over different subject matter,” said Jackson-Hurley.

The program involves learning their leadership style through fun games, activities and assessments, along with how that leadership style can be used in the community and the world.

“And we also teach them, like conflict resolution, public speaking elevator pitches, and we also sprinkle in networking nights,” said Jackson-Hurley.

Jackson-Hurley says it’s imperative to have organizations that aim to empower our youth people from a young age

“I love that we are trying to help students find their passions early, lean into those passions, and then not only that, but give back to their community. Because in the end, when we invest in girls, we all win,” said Jackson-Hurley.

Jackson-Hurley is excited to see the next girl leaders make a difference in the Louisville community. Louisville Girls Leadership applications will open up this summer.