The program had its beginnings in a 1988 political fundraiser for Senator Lugar organized by businesswoman Judy Singleton. She knew there were a number of other businesswomen who were willing and able to contribute to political campaigns, but who weren't doing so. She speculated that because of traditional views of political fundraising women simply weren't being asked.

She was right. The first-ever, all female "Businesswomen for Lugar" luncheon turned out to be one of the most successful fundraisers of the Senator's campaign for re-election to the U.S. Senate. Over $26,000 was raised; 475 women from around the state attended; and 265 of those women were identified as first-time givers - a notable accomplishment of the August 24th event.

Following the event, the enthusiasm was high! Women from around the state called to encourage further political action on behalf of businesswomen and Senator Lugar. In 1989, Singleton determined that partnering a women's leadership development program with Senator Lugar, the most popular and trusted public official in Indiana's history, would be the most effective way of increasing women's participation in government and politics. Singleton then recruited Teresa Lubbers, a public relations specialist who had previously worked for the Senator, Melissa Martin, owner of a political marketing firm, and Barbara Maves, another former Lugar aide and social services executive, to further refine and develop the concept.