Female Leadership Academy

The mission of ACT is to engage women of all ages in leadership opportunities that will promote social and personal change. The purpose of the Female Leadership Academy is to fulfill ACT’s mission.

California’s Central Valley is the most ethnically diverse region in the state and we desperately need to cultivate leaders from all backgrounds and ages for effective policy change. The FLA targets 10-15 young women ages 16-23 years old of all backgrounds, in particular women of color, but not limited to. The participants learn about the women's movement, feminism, social justice issues, reproductive health and justice, leadership and so much more! The FLA meets approximately 3-4 times monthly on evening nights and weekends. Throughout the 8 month program (beginning in October and ending in May), the young women learn from didactic lectures with guest speakers from a variety of women's advocacy and leadership groups such as REACH LA, Planned Parenthood Mar Monte, NARAL California, The Community Water Project, and ACLU. The interactive sessions and skill building activities help develop their leadership qualities while educating them about issues affecting women of all ages and marginalized populations of people. Included in the leadership training are advocacy, grass roots organizing and policy making topics.

The FLA travels to a minimum of two conferences each year. The FLA graduating class of '07 attended two life changing events this past year. The first was Take Back the Night at Fresno State. At Take Back the Night, the participants participated in a survivor speak-out, and marched to “take back the night.” In many cases, this was the first time some of the young women had visited a college campus, let alone marched all around chanting and demanding that violence against women be stopped. The second event attended was Reproductive Freedom Day in Sacramento where they loved the opportunity to lobby on behalf of important legislation to the reproductive rights movement in California. Mentors and FLA participants got a chance to lobby our local representatives. We discussed AB 1511 and the need for parent/child communication when it comes to sex and sexuality with our representatives. Our visits went very well and we were able to establish a common ground and addressed the need for prevention of teen pregnancy in our valley communities. Not only was this the first time many of the participants visited Sacramento, but they were able to join others and better understand the importance of their voice in affecting legislation and policymaking.
With the knowledge gained, the FLA completes community projects focused on reproductive health and women's issues. During past academies, participants have completed projects centered around SB 71, Comprehensive Sex Education, Emergency Contraception Access, Family Pact Services Awareness, Sex Trafficking Awareness and one group put together a rally for access and information for teens in Tulare County.

The primary objectives of the Female Leadership Academy are:

• To increase knowledge of women’s issues internationally, nationally, statewide and locally;
• To develop leadership skills among local women and girls;
• To provide opportunities that connect local women and girls to statewide and national initiatives and movements; and
• To provide guidance and mentoring for the creation and implementation of a local leadership project that addresses women’s health issues, with a specific emphasis on reproductive health and rights.

Become a mentor for the FLA participants!
Contact person: FLA Coordinator - Erin Garner-Ford
or ACT Director - Robyn Flores
MySpace: www.myspace.com/actforwomenandgirls

The Coordinator of the Academy, Erin Garner-Ford, is a graduate of California State University, Chico with a bachelor’s degree in Multicultural and Gender Studies with an emphasis in Women’s Studies. Her background includes participation in ACT’s Board of Directors, an internship with Planned Parenthood and CSU, Chico’s Women Center. Erin is currently continuing her education to obtain her Master's in Leadership and Organizational Studies. She hosts a feminist radio show of KFSC-LP 94.1 fm Visalia, "The F Word"