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Latina Leadership Institute is now accepting
applications for its 2010 Class

Providence, RI: The Latina Leadership Institute (LLI), a program of The Rhode Island Latino Civic Fund, is now accepting applications for its 2010 Latina Leadership Institute. The LLI provides participants with the opportunity to meet and work with other emerging and influential Latina leaders from a diverse cross section of the state.  The Institute works to ensure that Latinas have the opportunity to foster relationships with other Latinas and Latinos while participating in trainings that promote positive change throughout the state.

The Latina Leadership Institute is an educational program. The Institute will run in a span of four months starting on March 2010 with an all day retreat at the Elton Jones Campus of the University of Rhode Island. Following the retreat are nine sessions that will meet every Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at different locations in the State as well as a group of optional enhancement activities.

Latinas of all ages and socio-economic backgrounds are invited to apply, free of charge, no later than February 5, 2010. Students will have the opportunity to interact with established and up-coming Latina leaders, while learning about public policy, leadership, strategic management, team building, political campaigning, public speaking, media relations and of course, the myriad of racial, class and gender issues facing the state’s burgeoning Latina population.

Distinguished leaders in the public and private sectors have recognized the excellence and relevance of Latina Leadership Institute’s training program. Community leaders such as Melba Depeña, program's founder, Patricia Martinez, Gonzalo Cuervo, Vanesa Toledo-Vickers, Chris Barnett, Karen Malcom, Tomas Avila, Nellie Gorbea, Shannah Kurland, Gladys Gould and a host of others have addressed Institute participants.

An alumnae of the Leadership Institute, Carolina Briones, a bi-lingual outreach specialist with the Providence Public Library anticipates using her increased knowledge of the community in her library work with the Latino community. Programs that Briones manage at the library include a book club for Latino/Latina adults and contests for Latino/Latina children. Another alumna, Ruth Fuerte, an International Business Major at Bryant University stated “LLI made a connection between the community and me. The institute provided me with tools that allow me to help others and at the same time, has allowed me to grow both personally and professionally.  The institute gave me the privilege to have become part of the powerful Latina network of the state that fights for the betterment of the community.”

“The idea behind the Institute is simple,” said RILCF President Doris M. De Los Santos, “the institute prepares Latinas for political leadership and social advocacy roles, and in doing so, increases political representation and social opportunities for Latinas.”

To apply, please email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or call (401)345-5403 to request an application.  Applications are due on February 5, 2010. Classes will be taught in English and Spanish and on-site child care will be provided.

The 2010 Latina Leadership Institute is partially funded by the Hispanics in Philanthropy.