Why join a women’s leadership group

Across industries, women are underrepresented in leadership roles. According to the Pew Research Center, as of 2023 only 10.6% of all Fortune 500 CEOs are women, while 30.4% of these company's boards are comprised of women. In higher education, only 32.8% of university and college presidents are women. In politics, the average presence of women in the Senate, the House, state legislatures, and state governorships is 27.55%.

The lack of women in leadership could be due to the specific set of challenges women face in the workplace. These issues include gender discrimination, sexual harassment, and pay disparity — for women of color, these problems are compounded.

Women's leadership groups are a resource that can help women navigate those challenges. Whether established as an employee resource group or independently, they are a place for solidarity and empowerment.

Read on to learn more about the benefits of women's leadership programs.

Five reasons to join a women's leadership group

1. Give and get support

Women's leadership groups provide a space to share experiences, which can be cathartic and provide emotional support.

Sharing commonalities can also allow you to work together to find solutions, such as tips for addressing pay discrepancies, negotiating salaries, advocating for one's interests, and navigating other professional dynamics.

Women's leadership groups can also be a great space for job and skill-building opportunities, such as workshops, women's leadership certificate programs, and other courses for career advancement.

2. Get inspired

There are fewer women leaders than men to inspire up-and-coming women professionals.

As a magnet for established current or aspiring women leaders, women's leadership groups can help you find role models that may be lacking in the corporate world. These groups often invite influential leaders to speak or host events to motivate and empower members to step into leadership roles.

3. Network with other professional women

According to a 2023 Pew Research Center study, 22% of men and 33% of women surveyed reported that lack of access to "the same kinds of networks as men" was a significant obstacle for women seeking leadership positions.

Women's leadership groups can provide a quality network of female executives, managers, business owners, first-time entrepreneurs, or driven entry-level professionals.

They may be able to connect you with others in their network, share industry insights, or provide mentorship to help you advance in your career.

4. Find a mentor or sponsor (or become one)

A mentor can provide guidance based on their own experiences and insights. Sponsorship often develops from mentorship and includes the sponsor advocating for the sponsoree's professional advancement.

A women's leadership group is an ideal place to find a mentor or sponsor, as well as a place for seasoned professionals to find mentees and sponsorees.

5. Find your people

A women's leadership group can help you build meaningful relationships with like-minded people that transcend the business world.

Having people you can count on, trust, and call friends can be critical for positive mental health and overall well-being.

How to join a women's leadership group

Your company may have a women's leadership group as one of its employee resource groups (ERGs). To join, contact human resources or ask your supervisor.

If your company does not have a women's leadership group, you may consider starting one. You can collaborate with your coworkers and request guidance from your supervisor or human resources department.

You can also search for groups outside your company. You may find many local options, including chapters of nationwide groups and industry-specific organizations.

When considering joining a women's leadership group, first do your research. Before paying a membership fee, check out any free resources — such as online content and free events — to evaluate whether or not the group is a good fit for you.

If location or commute is an issue, consider one of the many virtual women's leadership groups with members worldwide. You can also find strong connections through cohort-based online programs for women leaders.