Columbia, MO - The Greater Missouri Leadership Foundation has named U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill as its 2008 Woman of the Year.
In accepting the award, McCaskill said she was "proud of the difference Greater Missouri has made for women in my Show-Me state," adding, "for the past 18 years, Greater Missouri has worked to provide women with the connections and experiences necessary to influence the highest levels of Missouri business, government and not-for-profit communities."
The award recognizes a Missouri woman who has shown outstanding leadership and has served as a role model and inspiration for other women. Greater Missouri Leadership Foundation sponsors the Leadership Challenge, an annual traveling symposium designed to expose women leaders from diverse backgrounds to a wide array of issues. Class participants are chosen from academia, corporations, small business and philanthropic organizations every year.
The program's goals are two fold: involve more women in finding solutions to problems facing Missouri, and build a statewide network of women leaders in order to leverage those solutions.
"This experience is essential for women who desire to access the leadership and professional opportunities that men have always enjoyed," said McCaskill. "Women need mentors, not only to navigate the workplace, but to help them balance family and work."
In addition, McCaskill challenged the graduating class of 2008 to "reach out into your communities, work places and your own families to mentor other women."
"While Greater Missouri is a non-political organization, it was the board's unanimous consensus that McCaskill's contributions to the state extend beyond politics," said Carol Wilke, president of the board. Citing the senator's work as a prosecuting attorney, state legislator, state auditor and U.S. senator, Wilke said McCaskill "has enhanced the lives of our citizens, especially women. Time and again she has been elected by the people to serve the public in influential roles, and through her actions and achievements she has become a role model for the future women leaders of Missouri and the nation."
In the late 1980's, McCaskill played a key role in founding the organization. Over the years she has encouraged women to participate in the Leadership Challenge and has addressed the group as a keynote speaker. The award will be accepted in absentia in St. Louis at 11:30 on November 7 during the organization's capstone ceremony via a video pre-recorded by the Senator. The ceremony will be held at AmerenUE, one of the group's major sponsors. |
