More than 100 middle and high school girls took part in the LEAD Like A Girl conference held recently at Florida SouthWestern State College.

The program, led this go-around by a panel of four women who shared their insights, focused on female empowerment by example.

The LEAD Like A Girl effort began eight years ago when some members of the community approached him with the idea, said Marshall Bower, Foundation for Lee County Schools president and CEO.

The reasoning behind the program is understanding what real teens face and how they can be empowered to better understand those issues, work through them and talk about them.

“It’s about lifting up the female spirit and allowing them to voice what is going on in their lives and learn about becoming the next leaders in the community,” Bower said.

LEAD stands for leadership, education, advocacy, and development.

The panelists this year included Lee Health Heart Institute VP Chief Physician Executive Dr. Malissa J. Wood, who spoke about development; School District of Lee County Chief Strategy Officer Dr. Jennifer Cupid-McCoy, who spoke about leadership; former educator and Lee County school board member Gwyentta Gittens, who spoke about education; and Quality Life Center Performing Arts Director Keesha Allen-Thomas, who spoke about advocacy.

The panelists shared their experiences and how they got to where they are today.

“We try to pick women who are responsible that have a powerful message and are good role models,” Bower said.

The “real meat” of the program was when the 108 middle and high school students had a mentor join their table.

“They come up with questions that start conversations around their lives, leadership and situations going on,” Bower said.

There also are trained mental health professionals in attendance in case somebody brings up something that needs additional one-on-one conversations.

“It’s a good sharing of thoughts and ideas,” Bower said, adding that the best part is when he receives phone calls from the coordinators sharing the girls continued the conversations on their way back to school. “Some of the schools are starting LEAD Like A Girl clubs at the school to continue the conversation.”

This year there were 29 schools represented at the summit, an incredible growth from previous years.

The students who attend are chosen by the principal and designated coordinator. Bower said they choose four, or five students to participate. The guidelines — send a good mix of the student body who can contribute or gain something from the experience.

“We did the room all in pink this year. We get all the young ladies a tierra every year,” Bower said, adding that they also provide lunch.

He said the summit has become more relevant as mental health has become an issue over the years for young citizens.

“Mental health and mental well-being are important if we are going to succeed in life,” Bower said, adding that it is important to be both completely healthy physically and mentally.

From this program, Young Men LEAD was introduced and also has been successful.