McLarty Global Fellows Partners With Women’s Empowerment Group

The McLarty Global Fellows Program, a philanthropic endeavor established by Mack and Donna McLarty, announced a five-year partnership with Vital Voices Global Partnership, an international non-governmental organization focused on women’s empowerment around the world.

The partnership is expected to provide fellowships to students at the University of Arkansas Clinton School of Public Service, Sam M. Walton College of Business, and J. William Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences to work at the Vital Voices headquarters in Washington, D.C. The fellowships will be offered beginning in the fall of 2014.

“Donna and I began the McLarty Global Fellows Program as a way to support the important work being done to promote women’s engagement and entrepreneurship around the world. We are pleased that Vital Voices has agreed to partner with us, and we are confident that both the students and the organization will benefit from the experience,” Mack McLarty said.

In September of last year, Vital Voices and the McLarty Global Fellows Program, along with more than 20 other partner organizations including Walmart, Exxon-Mobil and Coca-Cola announced a Commitment to Action through the Clinton Global Initiative.

The commitment will track and measure at least $1.5 billion in global contract opportunities for women-owned businesses based outside of the U.S., and develop a more effective and efficient channel to identify and scale high-growth, women-owned businesses.

“Our mission is to identify, invest in, and bring visibility to extraordinary women around the world by encouraging their leadership potential,” said Donna Cochran McLarty, who co-founded Vital Voices Global Partnership and serves on its board of directors. “When we support women, we are also lifting families, strengthening communities, and enhancing prospects for peace.”

This year, McLarty Global Fellows and Vital Voices selected two students from the University of Arkansas Clinton School of Public Service: Anna Applebaum and Tshering Yudon. Both students will work with Vital Voices in the fall of 2014.