Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton (orange blazer) and several state legislators meet with SIU Carbondale students. Among the state senators are (to the right of Stratton) Adriane Johnson (D-Buffalo Grove), Erica Harriss (R-Glen Carbon) and Mary Edly-Allen (D-Libertyville). With the group (far left, second row) is Linda Renee Baker. (Photo by Will Becque)
March 24, 2025
SIU students attend ‘Women in Leadership’ event in Springfield
About 20 SIU Carbondale undergraduate and graduate female students participated March 19 in the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute’s annual “Women in Leadership, Public Service, and Civic Engagement Day” at the Illinois State Capitol and Illinois State Library in Springfield.
The initiative promotes the contributions of women legislators and public sector leaders with the goal to foster the continued development of women’s leadership and involvement in public service. The group participated in panel discussions with state legislators, women in private and nonprofit organizations, interns and SIU Carbondale alumni.
“One way to engage more young women in considering a career in public service is to provide support and role models that women desperately need to launch and advance in their careers,” said Linda Renee Baker, Paul Simon Public Policy Institute university professor and program coordinator.