The Louisiana Center for Women & Government is a growing organization at Nicholls, gaining publicity, promoting leadership and participating in programs at the University.”The goal of the center is to promote leadership, responsible citizenship and public service,” Laura Badeaux, director of the Louisiana Center for Women & Government, said. The center is expanding its presence nationally by bringing important figures together to discuss public concerns. The center is currently active in 10 statewide projects and has recently doubled its membership from 300 to 600 people.

The most recent activity on the center’s agenda was the National Women’s Leadership Summit in New Orleans on energy and the environment Sept. 24-26. Mary Landrieu, U.S. senator of Louisiana, and Olympia Snow, U.S. senator of Maine, participated in the summit and said the meeting received favorable reviews.

The center provides internships for students as well. The Louisiana Center for Women & Government Internship program places students in government centers so they can have real work experience. Most of these positions are located in Baton Rouge, where students participate in meetings and work four days a week. Students receive 15 credit hours.

Any undergraduate student with at least 60 credit hours can apply for the internship.

Upcoming events for the center include the Statewide Leadership Institute with LCWG State Meeting, 2009 Congress to Campus, Hall of Fame, Louisiana Legislative, a weekly television segment of HTV’s Bayou Time, “A Women’s Perspective”, internships, the Louisiana Girls Leadership Academy and the Washington Power Lunch. Badeaux said the Statewide Leadership Institute with LCWG will take place Nov. 14-15 in Baton Rouge. Sam Bacharach, author of “Get Them on Your Side and Keep Them on Your Side,” will speak at the meeting.

The Hall of Fame will take place on March 28. James Carville and Mary Matalin will be the speakers this year. The winner of the Hall of Fame has been selected but is not yet released to the press. Badeaux said the honoree is from the bayou region.

On Nov. 13, the program called Celebrities, Comedy, and Cocktails Fundraiser will take place in the Cotillion Ballroom. The evening begins at 6:30 p.m. and includes cocktails, dinner and a ride to a show in New Orleans. Several celebrities will be present, including Christian Leblanc from “The Young and the Restless” as Master of Ceremonies. There is an acting workshop on improvisation Nov. 14, from 11 am to 1:30 p.m. The workshop costs $30.

The Louisiana Girls Leadership Academy will be from June 16-18. The program involves showing 8th, 9th, 10th and 11th grade girls leadership and how to run for office.

These activities are possible despite a loss due to budget cuts, said Badeaux. Senator Joel Chaisson took an interest in the center and helped restore the lost money.

Badeaux said she hopes to make the center internationally recognized. They plan to expand the internship program nation-wide. Badeaux said students wanting to work with the Louisiana Center for Women & Government should come to the office next to the Ellender Memorial Library for information. She said she would be happy to assist any student.