Empowering Women
The Yale Women's Leadership Initiative is an undergraduate organization that is established to empower women, devoted to promoting and celebrating female leadership at Yale and beyond, committed to creating an inclusive space where all are welcome, and dedicated to placing gender equity at the forefront of campus culture.
Get to Know Us
The Yale Women's Leadership Initiative (WLI) was founded in 2006 by five undergraduates who felt the University required an official organization that would empower and celebrate women and offer opportunities for leadership and development.
The WLI offers opportunities to learn from, speak with, and network with women leaders in a wide array of fields, work with a community of passionate and supportive women, and launch self-driven initiatives that empower women in many ways.
Current Projects
Women's Week
Our annual Women Empowerment Conference returns in Spring 2024, bigger and better than ever! Our week-long event in the Spring focuses on popular career tracks and features keynote speakers, workshops, panel discussions, community building activities, and a lot more!
Yale WLI x YaleWomen Mentorship Initiative
This year, we have launched a mentorship initiative with YaleWomen, which is the university's alumni association of women. We have over a hundred alumni mentors and student mentees, who connect through one-on-one interactions, speaker events, and networking sessions. Our impressive mentors come from a wide range of career fields, professional schools, and life experiences.
Women in Government (WiG) Fellowship with the Campaign School at Yale
We partner with The Campaign School at Yale's Women in Government Fellowship, which runs a course in the summer and provides fellows with the opportunity to find internships and gain experience in government work. We regularly host information sessions and events as part of this.
Women of Achievement Formal
Each Spring, we host the Women of Achievement Formal to celebrate the incredible women in Yale's community. The event is a fun way for us to bring our community together and highlight amazing women and everything that they do at Yale and beyond.
Past Projects
Remembering 50
In recognition of 50 years of coeducation at Yale College and 150 years of coeducation at Yale University, the Women's Leadership Initiative at Yale has published a book of stories from alumni and current students from Yale College and various professional schools. The book focuses on the experiences of women at Yale, as well as how the acceptance of women has shaped Yale culture and affected the Yale experience.
Tribute to 50 Years
In honor of the 50th year of coeducation at Yale College, the WLI planned a “Remembering” Celebration to be held on Cross Campus, featuring performances from women groups, a timeline showcasing 50 milestones for women on campus, recreation of historic photos, and alumnae speakers from the first class of women. Unfortunately, the event was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but we have decided to commemorate these milestones on our website for anyone who is interested in learning more about the history of women at Yale.
WLI for BLM
WLI stands in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter Movement.
We stand in solidarity with Black Lives Matter and the worldwide efforts of individuals and organizations, alike, to dismantle systemic racism. See our statement and a series of BLM-related newsletters, featuring a compilation of resources and actionables.