Southwest Airlines champions organizations whose positive accomplishments have made immeasurable impact for women across the country, and in particular, in the state of California. Since the 1980s, Leadership California has enhanced women’s’ leadership throughout California by providing a forum for women to strengthen their knowledge of the challenges and opportunities facing the state. On May 6, please join us at the Omni Hotel in Los Angeles as we celebrate the power of leaders at the Legacy of Leadership Awards. Southwest Airlines will be honored with the Corporate Leader Award! We salute all the contributions made by this year’s honorees as we all continue to work towards advancing and empowering women and ensuring that there is equal opportunity for everyone.  I hope to see you there!
Moving Women from Success to Significance
Leadership California, through its flagship California Issues & Trends program, moves women from success to significance. Embarking on its 28thyear, the organization does this through its mission to increase the representation and influence of diverse women leaders across the state and inspire them to act on their knowledge of issues and cutting-edge trends facing California, the nation and the world. Today, more than 1,700 women leaders from around the state have participated in the programs.
A California Organization with Roots in Texas
The concept of Leadership California actually started in Texas, in 1983, with a group of women leaders gathered around a kitchen table in Austin. They were successful women in leadership roles but realized that they just weren’t breaking through to that next level. Getting together, they figured out two things: they didn’t know enough about the whole state of Texas – only their own field of interest and their own region – and they didn’t know key influencers and stakeholders across the state – they didn’t have the connections beyond their own local sphere of influence.
They then thought about how they could change that and created Leadership Texas. A program that would bring women leaders together from across the state to learn the issues and trends and meet the movers and shakers and knowledge holders making things happen. Fast forward to 1988 when a few women who were alumnae of Leadership Texas found themselves in California and decided they should start Leadership California, officially launching the organization in 1992.
Leadership California Today
Since then, Leadership California has fostered a diverse network of more than 1,700 women leaders and more than 3,000 supporters, including speakers, sponsors, and advisors, dedicated to advancing the leadership role of women in California. The organization’s programs provide a critical foundation and experiences to help women positively impact their workplaces and communities. Ultimately, Leadership California strives to motivate and inspire accomplished women to reach higher aspirations and to have the knowledge, confidence, and connections to act to improve California’s future.
Southwest Receiving Corporate Leader Award
One of Leadership California’s key corporate partners is Southwest Airlines and this year, Leadership California is honoring Southwest with the Corporate Leader Award at their Legacy of Leadership Awards on May 6, 2019 at the Omni Hotel in Los Angeles.  This annual celebration recognizes inspiring California leaders who lead the way through civic, business and service achievement and have made a difference for our state. The Corporate Leader Award specifically honors a company that has demonstrated support for the inclusion of women on its board and in its executive suite, has supported Leadership California and shares its core values around diversity and inclusions.
Southwest Airlines is a long-term key supporter of Leadership California and its programs as the Official Airline for the organization, helping women attend programs across the state. Inclusion has always been at the heart of Southwest, who knows that to achieve its vision it must hire and develop a workforce as diverse as the customers they serve, all the while fostering an inclusive culture that inspires contributions from everyone.
Sponsorship opportunities and tickets for the Legacy of Leadership awards ceremony are available. Please visit www.leadershipcalifornia.com for more information.
