Press Release

George W. Bush Institute’s Women’s Initiative Announces First Class of Fellows from Tunisia

Today, the Bush Institute’s Women’s Initiative Fellowship  welcomed seventeen aspiring female leaders from Tunisia as the third...

DALLAS, Texas

Today, the Bush Institute’s Women’s Initiative Fellowship  welcomed seventeen aspiring female leaders from Tunisia as the third class of Women’s Initiative Fellows. The inaugural class of Fellows, convened in 2012, was made up of 13 Egyptian women. The second Fellowship began in March 2013 and is comprised of 19 Egyptian women.

The Women’s Initiative Fellowship helps women in the Middle East develop the skills to become effective leaders and build a stronger civil society. Fellows study leadership skills, exchange expertise, and learn to advocate for social stability. Skills acquired can be shared with colleagues and friends, thereby broadening the women’s network.

Bush Institute-commissioned research shows that with a strong professional network, a woman is better able to prosper in her field and expand her influence. Based on the underlying significance of networks, each Fellowship class is composed of 14-20 women from a single country, representing six important sectors of society: education, health, business, politics, law, and media. 

Prominent American women from the same sectors are paired with Fellows who share their profession, with mentors committing to at least a one-year relationship, providing guidance, advice, and support.

Through a combination of intensive coursework at Southern Methodist University,  where the George W. Bush Presidential Center is located,  hands-on skill development, sharing of best-practice models, mentor support, and network-building, the Fellows return home prepared to create significant and lasting changes in their countries.

More information on the Tunisian Fellows, can be found here.  

About the Women’s Initiative:

Women play a vital role in the success and prosperity of every nation, yet in many parts of the world women and girls are illiterate and denied basic human rights.

Improving the lives of women and girls with education and economic opportunity provides the fastest way to grow a nation’s economy, raising living standards, and promoting peace.  Through its programs, the Women’s Initiative at the Bush Institute works to improve access to education, health care, and economic opportunity for women and children.

About the George W. Bush Institute at the Bush Center: 
The George W. Bush Institute at the Bush Center advances freedom through education reform, global health, human freedom and economic growth. In all its programming, the Institute integrates initiatives that empower women and military service personnel. The Bush Institute is the policy arm of the George W. Bush Presidential Center which includes the George W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum, Café 43, a 14-acre Native Texas Park, and is located on the campus of SMU in Dallas, TX.

For more information, please visit www.bushcenter.org, Facebook (www.facebook.com/TheBushCenter) and Twitter (www.twitter.com/TheBushCenter).