Here’s what some graduates of the Southwest Region’s Glass Leadership Institute (GLI) are saying about their participation in the program:

Bethany Boucher:

“After a fulfilling year of lectures and seminars through the Glass Leadership Institute I was excited to attend the National Leadership Conference in Washington D.C. The conference had an impressive roster of inspiring and informative speakers, panels, and breakouts that touched on many of the issues that we are dealing with today. Through these sessions, I saw how others have succeeded in being effective leaders and advocates for their communities and how important it is that I do the same. The conference culminated in a day on Capitol Hill in which hundreds of participants lobbied their representatives over issues that are critical to the ADL’s agenda. It is difficult to describe how moving it was to see everyone impassioned to have their voice heard. As a result, I returned to Houston even more motivated and energized to have my voice heard and to be an advocate for my own community.”

Jason Casell:

“Participating in GLI over the last eight months, with each monthly session’s focus on a different aspect of ADL’s work, prepared me well for the unparalleled opportunity to attend the National Leadership Summit in Washington, D.C.  In addition to connecting with fellow young leaders from around the country, my Summit experience left me feeling a range of emotions – alarm, inspiration, hope, and energy.  I was alarmed to hear Rabbi Francine Green Roston fight back tears to describe the recent virulent hate campaign targeting her and other members of the Jewish community in Whitefish, Montana.  But I was inspired to listen to Rabbi Roston discuss ADL’s swift and effective response and how much of the regional community came together to support their fellow Montanans, regardless of religion.  I felt hopeful listening to speakers as politically diverse as Senators John McCain (R-AZ), Al Franken (D-MN), Marco Rubio (R-FL), and Ben Cardin (D-MD), who each delivered heartfelt messages about their commitment to ADL’s core, bipartisan mission to fight anti-Semitism and all forms of hate.  And after meeting with my congressman’s staff to lobby for legislation with domestic and international significance, I left D.C. energized and ready to further engage with my community and representatives.”