She Leads

Community Need: Young Muslim girls need meaningful connections with female leaders who can support them in achieving their personal and community goals.

Target Audience and Location: Muslim girls, ages 13 to 17, who attend the Guiding Light Mosque in Louisville, KY.

Vision: A world where young Muslim women are empowered and visible leaders in their community.

Mission: To develop the next generation of Muslim women by connecting girls with strong role models and opportunities to increase their leadership skills.  

Project Description: Scholar Mariam Kandel and educator Tonya Swan co-founded She Leads, a leadership workshop initiative developed in collaboration with community partners at the Guiding Light Mosque. The project brings together student leaders, mentors, and professional Muslim women to plan and host a multi-session leadership workshop series that includes speaker panels, small-group discussions, and reflection activities. Supported by partners such as Interfaith Paths to Peace and the Muhammad Ali Center, the team is coordinating logistics, speakers, and family engagement opportunities to create spaces for mentorship, skill-building, and connection, while using participant feedback to inform learning and strengthen the program over time.