CALUMET CITY | A three-day leadership training program has reinforced Calumet City Police Sgt. Pam Cap's desire to serve her community.

Cap, who's served as a police officer for 22 years, was among 89 women chosen throughout the United States to attend the Vote, Run, Lead program offered by The White House Project.

Cap, who is running for Calumet City mayor in the primary early next year, graduated Sept. 21 from the program, which has trained more than 2,000 women nationwide to run for political office. Her opponent is incumbent Mayor Michelle Markiewicz Qualkinbush.

"All three days were extremely intense," Cap said. "We went into the late hours of the evening."

Of the 89 attendees, only four or five were thinking about running or running for office, Cap said. "I was the only one in a current campaign."

The program included guest speakers - all successful women involved in the political process - as well as classes and work in smaller groups. "I couldn't wait to get into class and learn more from all these wonderful women," Cap said.

She added that the timing worked out well. "I thought this would be great for me to go because I'm in the middle of a campaign. It would give me the tools I need to do a better job."

Cap learned of the leadership training after hearing project founder Marie Wilson speak at the Democratic National Convention. "I was so drawn in by her words that I went to my computer to look up White House Project," she said. Cap paid for the training herself, but scholarships are available for women in low-income areas, she said.

Vote, Run, Lead "is a dynamic program of The White House Project designed to engage women in the political process as voters, activists and candidates through training, inspiration and networking," according to its Web site, www.thewhitehouseproject.org. It's a national nonpartisan, nonprofit organization.

Cap said although she expected to gain information, she didn't expect "to come away with such determination and inspiration and just this overwhelming feeling that I'm doing what I'm supposed to be doing."

The Calumet City resident said the leadership training also has re-energized her at work. "Coming away from this weekend I'm pumped, energized. It just changes your perspective on everything."

Cap, who lost a bid for mayor in the 2005 Democratic primary, said she decided a few years ago that she was going to run again. "I love Cal City - it's my hometown. I don't want to give up," she said.

Not only did the training give her new energy, but it confirmed Cap's belief "that personal contact with residents is the key and the most important part of being a public servant. I love going door to door and speaking to residents and finding out what their needs are in the neighborhoods."