The Girls’ Leadership Institute was created in 1996 as a five day, four night residential summer program to help girls entering the seventh and eighth grades learn skills to develop strong leadership skills. In the early 1990’s, Kent Place Head of School at the time, Sue Bosland, who was then the Director of the Middle School, along with then Head of School Arlene Gibson felt there was a need for
for leadership training and development at the Middle School level. After extensive research, the two decided to form the Girls’ Leadership Institute, and brought up the idea during a faculty meeting in 1996. Christine Clemens, current Middle School history teacher, stepped forward as facilitator of the program. Director of the Upper School Elizabeth Woodall, then an Upper School English teacher and Dean of Students, joined Clemens as a co-director of the program. Clemens had already honed materials for an eighth grade history course, “Portraits of Leadership” which explores how leaders impacted history and influenced the human journey. During the first summer of GLI, there were only 12 participants, six of whom were Kent Place students. In the second year, the number rose to 20 and scholarships were available so more young girls could apply and experience the program. The numbers continue to rise every year and in 2015, there were a record-breaking 38 girls in attendance, from 22 different schools and four different states during the summer Institute. GLI has evolved greatly since 1996; it is now a day program that runs for two weeks on Kent Place School’s campus. However, the mission remains the same. The seventh and eighth grade girls continue to hone skills that make them more confident leaders.
