The Networker: Ladies in the Lead

The Woodhull Institute wants ethical leadership, whatever that means.

By Courtney E. Martin
Published: Feb 18, 2008

As the country contemplates its first viable female presidential candidate, everyone seems abuzz with renewed conversation about what really matters with regards to leadership—NATO policy or neckline? Having Hillary on the ballot has many wondering—will a female in charge really mean less war-mongering and a more generous work/life policy? These are some of these key questions being discussed at the Woodhull Institute for Ethical Leadership, a non-partisan, non-profit organization dedicated to leadership training and professional development for women. With its network of 2,500 women of all different ages and professions, plus a think tank of over 30 fellows, the Institute is at the forefront of action and analysis when it comes to the hot topic of women in leadership. Since the name can seem a bit slippery, executive director Wende Jager-Hyman often has to explain exactly what the Institute does. “Woodhull is not only about the needed training that we offer women in ethical leadership and practical skill sets,” she says. “It’s about creating a community that understands that when we share our knowledge, contacts and support, everyone is better off.” The Woodhull network—kept in touch via a weekly online newsletter, a quarterly alumnae newsletter and various local chapters throughout the country—calls it a “psychology of abundance.”

The Institute was started by feminist author Naomi Wolf and radio producer Margot Magowan in 1997; both young women facing the demands of early success, were convinced that their peers and the next generation needed a place to dream their biggest dreams, and to learn key skills like negotiation, public speaking and financial literacy. Cognizant of feminist history, the pair decided to name the Institute after Victoria Woodhull, a nineteenth-century feminist who was the first woman stockbroker on Wall Street, the first woman to produce her own newspaper, and the first woman to run for President of the United States—and that was before women even had the right to vote. Talk about balls.

The founding board of the Woodhull Institute understood Virginia Woolf's call for a "Room of One’s Own." So one of their first steps was to buy a mansion in Ancramdale, New York set on acres of rolling countryside where they could hold retreats throughout the year. Ten years later, the upstate location continues to house the tears, aha moments and budget crunching of 12 to 18 retreats a year. In addition to their New York headquarters, there are also frequent retreats at the Institute of Noetic Sciences, in Petaluma, California.

Woodhull’s retreat experience is built around its definition of ethical leadership—“the compassionate use of power, with attention to community service, mediation, negotiation, conflict resolution, financial and economic literacy, and effective and ethical speaking.” Young women, in particular, are grateful to find previously elusive answers to tricky questions like: How do I find out what salary I should ask for? What do I do if I’m giving a presentation and forget my next line? How do I write an op-ed?

Catherine Orenstein, who created the Institute’s op-ed workshops, says, “Woodhull trains and mentors young and mid-career women, and also brings more women into public debate—where we are heavily underrepresented.” Orenstein is not just a teacher, but a happy member of the community. “Woodhull has been important to me, personally, in terms of the guidance, opportunities and friendships I have found there, and also because of the encouragement it has given me to work on behalf of other women.”

It is the inspirational component—What do I want to do with my life? How do I know when something feels unethical? How do I listen to my inner voice?—that women seem most affected by. Colleen Hooper, a 28-year-old dancer and choreographer, explains, “Being part of Woodhull has taught me to dream big, trust my gut instincts and then dream bigger.”

Woodhull has managed to expand even more dreams thanks to the Dove Real Beauty Campaign, which has financed retreats in Chicago, Miami, San Antonio, San Diego and Atlanta. In addition, Dove has created a series of online Woodhull training modules for anyone’s benefit.

Their latest collaborative project is to host panels and skill-building workshops on college campuses across the country. They have already been to Boston University and The University of Las Vegas-Nevada. The next big event will take place at the University of Texas-Austin on February 2nd. For a schedule of all their upcoming retreats, see their website: www.woodhull.org.