Anna Williams, a 2024 graduate of Northern Illinois University, has shown what’s possible when you apply what you learn to make real change.
Williams recently transformed a Success Networking Team (SNT) SMART goal from the Foundations of Leadership program (FOL) into real-world impact — the creation of Anna’s Law in Illinois.
The legislation, which passed the Illinois House and Senate unanimously in 2025 and has now been officially signed by Illinois’ Governor JB Pritzker, would require police officers to complete trauma-informed sexual assault training before being sworn in and again every three years during recertification. It was inspired by Williams’ own experience seeking justice after a sexual assault in 2021, where she encountered repeated insensitivity and dismissiveness from law enforcement.
Her story of turning a goal into a reality is one of inner strength and perseverance, and it is and proof that having a goal on paper can make a substantial difference.
Finding Purpose Through Leadership Development
Williams credits her involvement with the NSLS for sparking her advocacy journey. As part of FOL and the Steps to Induction, she was able to leverage her SMART goal from her SNT meetings into something actionable.
SMART goals, which stand for Specific, Measurable, Actionable, Rewarding, and Time-specific, are a central part of the program; it is a goal-setting technique rooted in realistic expectations, ensuring goals are achievable and easily adjusted. For Williams, that goal became the blueprint for her activism.
“The NSLS has helped me find my passions in advocacy and gave me the skills needed for effective communication and teamwork,” she says.
By combining the structure of SMART goal planning with her drive to prevent others from experiencing the same harm, Williams built a movement that caught the attention of state lawmakers. What started as a leadership development project soon evolved into legislation with the potential to improve how survivors of sexual assault are treated across Illinois and beyond.
Leading With Determination and Courage
Pushing Anna’s Law forward required a range of skills and determination.
Williams credits her “communication, determination, passion, [and] discipline” as essential skills for moving from an idea to legislative action, and she drew inspiration from legendary leaders of the past.
“Rosa Parks, despite the laws, knew what was not right, and she stood up for what was right until change was made,” Williams says of a hero who inspired her to keep pushing. That same spirit of courage and conviction has shaped her own approach to leadership.
Her definition of leadership reflects this mindset. “To me, leadership means doing the right thing, even when it does not benefit you. It means leading by example.”
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Looking Ahead: Expanding the Reach of Anna’s Law
With Anna’s Law going into effect January 1, 2026, Williams is thinking about what comes next.
“I plan on getting Anna’s Law passed federally,” she says. “To achieve this, I need to remain consistent and expand my network and outreach.”
Her long-term goals remain both ambitious and personal. “See success, be happy, remain motivated, seek change when necessary,” she says when looking ahead. Those aspirations guide her as she continues to push for what’s right and lead with a mindset for advocacy.
Anna’s Advice for Future Leaders
Williams knows that creating change often requires standing alone. “Fight for what you’re passionate about,” she says. “You may be the only one brave enough for the task.”
She also shares a lesson that has guided her own leadership journey: “You know in your heart what is right and what is wrong.”
With Anna’s Law already making its mark in Illinois (and with her sights set on national reform), Williams is living proof of how determination, courage, and the right tools can turn a single idea into lasting change.
Anna isn’t the first member to turn a SMART Goal into action. Read about how Lily Griffin used her NSLS experience to become a UNESCO fellow and create positive change abroad.
