Although friends say she's soft-spoken, Austin's Barb Leining is taking a very open and public role in the fight for equality.

Leining assumed the top spot in the Minnesota Business and Professional Women (BPW) organization on May 3.

In that role, she leads a group of about 500 Minnesota women in lobbying for issues about equality, encouraging education, and arranging training and skills classes so women can advance within their careers.

Leining said she is a little awed by the honor.

"With me being me, it's hard to say, 'Wow, you really are the president,'" she said.

Austin has a history of involvement in the BPW. Leining is the third president from Austin. The first was Edna Schraefel, president in the late 1970s. The second, Deb Oscarson, was president from 1998-1999. Despite the strong showing in the high ranks, Austin does not currently have a local chapter. Members in Austin work with the group out of Albert Lea.

Leining was the Administrative Assistant under Oscarson five years ago. Oscarson said Leining is a "quiet leader," but when it comes to the issues, she lets her feelings be known.

"She is very passionate about some of the issues," Oscarson said. "It makes you want to get involved and get passionate about them."

That seems an apt description. Leining's motto for the organization this year is "Passion Rocks BPW."

With that in mind, members will be making a push to get their message out to the public and bring more people into the group.

"Everybody is born with passion in them," Leining said. "All you've got to do is get out there and find out what brings it to the surface."

Next week, Leining will travel with six other members to the national conference in Cleveland, Ohio. While there, they will elect national officials, set the budget and attend leadership classes along with other members of the 32,000-strong national organization.

In February, Leining travels to Washington, D.C. to lobby members of Congress.

Oscarson said going to Washington D.C. is a chance for some unique experiences. While she was there, she had a meal with Tipper Gore, wife of the former Vice President.

"You have some opportunities to experience some things other women never have the opportunity to do," she said.

Matt Merritt can be reached at 434-2214 or by e-mail at matt.merritt@austindailyherald.com