The Fifth Annual BALI awards event took place at the Columbus Club on April 4, 2013.  New York City Council Speaker Christine Quinn was one of the year’s recipients of the “Bella Fella” Award.  In the video below, Speaker Quinn spoke out about the important work  BALI does by empowering young women, especially those from working class and immigrant families,  for the future.

BALI CEO Liz Abzug and Speaker Quinn also discussed issue of “loud women” politicians. Ken Sunshine, the PR agent to some of today’s most politically active celebrities, was the year’s other 2013 Bella Fella recipient. Sunshine delivered an entertaining, touching speech about his early days in Bella Abzug’s campaign.  A congratulatory letter from Sunshine client Ben Affleck turned into a hilarious roast of his PR agent. The night was also brightened by short, touching speeches by young BALI graduates Natalie Bolt and Olivia Torres.  Each described how BALI’s training changed their lives.

Bella Abzug Leadership Institute

FREE 11- DAYS INTENSIVE SUMMER LEADERSHIP AND DEBATE TRAINING PROGRAM 2013

AT HUNTER COLLEGE

Monday, July 29^th – Saturday, August 10^th

We are Looking For Female High School and College Students

to Participate in the Upcoming Summer 2013 Program!

REQUIREMENTS:

EXCELLENT SPEAKING ABILITIES and LISTENING SKILLS,

 THE ABILITY TO WILLINGLY ASSUME LEADERSHIP ROLES, 

INDIVIDUALS MUST BE SELF-MOTIVATED, COMMITTED TO THE PROGRAM, and ENGAGE IN ACTIVE COMMUNITY BUILDING.

Our FREE 11-DAYS LEADERSHIP AND DEBATE TRAINING program includes workshops in debate techniques, public speaking, critical thinking, policy research, writing speeches, articles, and developing the skills to analyze contemporary public policy issues.  Highly accomplished female professionals, who work in the top echelons of the corporate, business, government, and not for profit sectors as well as women business owners, elected officials and diplomats,  come as guest lecturers and also conduct workshops.

An example of the accomplished speakers and inspirational role models who participated in our 2012 training programs are: Council Member Rosie Mendez, who is the Chair of the Committee on Public Housing, Eija Ayravainen, Vice President & Dean of Student Services at Hunter College, Council Member Margaret Chin, who is on the Executive Board of Black, Latino and Asian Caucus, Kathleen King, Founder of Tate’s Cookies Inc. (a national/international baked goods company) and Dr. Josephine Ojiambo, Ambassador & Deputy Permanent Representative at the Kenya Permanent Mission to the United Nations.

BALI has recently developed a close partnership with the New York City Urban Debate League (NYCUDL), the newly reconstituted citywide organization that represents competitive debate teams from public high schools throughout New York City. Together with the coaches of the New York City Urban Debate League, our students  take a four-hour lab on policy and public forum debate which results in actual debate competitions at the end of each week of the 11-Days Leadership and Debate Training.

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BALI Graduates speak about their experience in the Summer Leadership and Debate Training Program:

“I had the chance to discuss social and gender issues with other passionate girls.”-Nancy Mo, BALI 2011 Graduate, Currently a Freshman at The Sophie Davis School of Biomedical Education

“I came out of it more empowered, and a stronger woman.”-Jennifer Zhou, BALI 2012 Graduate, Currently a Senior at Stuyvesant High School

“I met a lot of inspirational women who work in areas of public policy, nonprofits, etc. so it’s a great way to make contacts and get personal advice”-Becky Chao, BALI 2012 Graduate, Currently a Sophomore at Duke University

“I’ve also made lifelong friends from this program and saw myself gain a different perspective in the company of very intelligent and passionate girls.”- Annique Wong, BALI 2012 Graduate, Currently a Sophomore at Stuyvesant High School

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Click Here to Download Application

If you are having trouble downloading the application here, you can also request an application by emailing Yu Wai Maung at  yuwai@abzuginstitute.org

Applications are due by June 21st, 2013.

If you are selected for an in-person interview we will contact you by June 27^th.

 In-person interviews will be conducted on July1^st, 2^nd, 3^rd, 4^th, and 5^th.

Your application will be determined by July10^th.

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Follow us on FACEBOOK: Bella Abzug Leadership Institute Inc.

For any questions, please contact  Yu Wai Maung, BALI Program Coordinator

212-650-3071.  yuwai@abzuginstitute.org

SIGN UP HERE TO RECEIVE MORE INFORMATION ON BALI’S 2013 SUMMER PROGRAM

BELLA ABZUG LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE

Hunter College 695 Park Avenue · Room HE1233 New York, NY 10021

Vanessa Franklin, Program Development Intern graduated from The City University of New York The City College of New York with a Bachelor in Psychology. She is attending City College to complete her Credentialed Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Counselor class requirements before enrolling in a Master of Social Work degree program in the Fall of 2013. She is also a mentor with Big Brothers Big Sisters Organization and volunteers as a Team Leader for New York Cares. Her current interest of working to empower young women has brought her to intern with BALI.

Giulia Girgenti, Outreach and Communication Intern is a new BALI Intern hailing from Brooklyn, NY. She is currently a student at School of the Future High School in Gramercy Park and is expected to graduate in 2014. She has previously organized with various social activists groups such as Queer Rising and the Young Feminist Task Force. After high school, she hopes to study social sciences, possibly exploring a career in public health.

Manami Koyama, Special Event Planning Intern is taking a master in Urban Affairs, Hunter College and going to graduate this semester. She is an international student from Japan. Her strong interests in women’s leadership and management of non-profit organizations lead to BALI. She is so proud to devote herself to the development of BALI and work under outstanding leaders, Liz Abzug, and Yu Wai Maung.

Shadia Islam, Administrative Assistant is a junior in Hunter College, CUNY and majoring in MLS and premed. After years of struggling with socio-economic obstacles herself, she has decided to turn her “can’t” into “can” and her dreams into plan; while also helping others along the way. Her desires to enable young women reach their potential in leadership, pursue higher education and women empowerment has brought her to BALI.