Welcome to the Girls Empowerment Leadership Initiative – also known as GELI!

Get ready to UNLEASH YOUR POTENTIAL at the 2025 GELI Summit! If you’re a fierce female between 14-22 interested in STEM and leadership in your community, this is YOUR moment to shine alongside powerhouse organizations like the Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women (MCSW), Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI), Marine Biological Laboratory (MBL) and WHOI Sea Grant!

This isn’t just an event – it’s your launchpad to becoming an extraordinary change maker in science, leadership, and community impact.

We hope you join us at this year’s groundbreaking GELI Summit! Registration is now open – register here.

Mark Your Calendars and register to join us on Thursday, April 24, 2025.

Centering this year’s MCSW GELI Summit around STEM/STEAM alongside WHOI and MBL presents a unique opportunity to empower girls in the fields of ocean science, biology, and engineering. Both organizations are committed to advancing scientific understanding of the ocean and its ecosystems, and by focusing on female participation, they can inspire the next generation of women leaders in these critical areas. This summit will provide girls with hands-on experiences and exposure to innovative research, fostering their confidence and interest in STEM careers. By collaborating in this initiative, WHOI and MBL can create an inclusive environment that not only promotes diversity but also equips young women with the skills and knowledge needed to tackle environmental challenges, ultimately shaping a more equitable future for all.

Are you ready to make waves? Join us and let’s rewrite the future, one empowered young woman at a time!

If you know of someone who would be interested in joining us, help us spread the word! 

Questions? Email: MCSWprograms@mass.gov.

What’s in Store?

• Dive deep into STEM/STEAM adventures
• Connect with groundbreaking ocean science experts
• Build leadership skills that will transform your future
• Network with incredible peers who are ready to change the world
• Transportation, lunch, and more will be provided

Accommodations Available: If you are a D/deaf or person hard of hearing with a disability who requires an accommodation or are someone who would benefit from language interpretation in a language other than English (ex: Spanish, Portuguese, etc.), require physical access accommodations or any other supports to participate, please indicate your need(s) on the registration form or email MCSWPrograms@mass.gov. In your message, please provide your contact information and accommodation request.