The Richard G. Lugar Excellence in Public Service was founded in 1986 by a small group of Indiana businesswomen who recognized the need for a political leadership development program for women. They agreed that partnering a prestigious training program with Senator Richard G. Lugar, would be the most effective way of increasing women's participation in government politics.

Senator Lugar gave his full and immediate endorsement for the project, and it was enthusiastically received by Republicans around the state who shared the founders' vision of improving government by enlarging the pool of qualified women for public service.

As a result of the success of the Lugar Series, women from several other states who share the vision of recruiting more Republican women to positions in the public arena have worked to implement similar programs.

In 1993, a presentation about the Lugar Series made to the Republican National Committee (RNC) triggered action in several states and ultimately resulted in a nationwide expansion effort initiated by the RNC.

In February 1995, Illinois became the first expansion state with the Lincoln Series. In 1998, New Jersey began the Whitman Series in honor of Governor Christy Todd Whitman. Ohio began its JoAnn Davidson Ohio Leadership Institute in 2000.

In 2001, after George W. Bush was elected President, the RNC committed $250,000 to make sure every state in the country could have a women's leadership development program if they wanted one.

What began as a dream of a few has now become a springboard for women all across America to step up to the new and expanded leadership roles in the public arena.

The ground work for a leadership series for Florida's Republican women was laid in November 2003 when a group of business and community leaders met in Jacksonville. Their discussions gave birth to the Tillie Fowler Excellence in Public Services. Florida women are honored to have its Leadership Series associated with former Congresswoman Tillie Fowler, a woman of amazing accomplishments and an inspiration to future women leaders of Florida. 2004 was the year to develop the program, finalize the legal paperwork and structure, and to introduce it in Republican circles. 2005 would see the Inaugural class chosen and the official launching of the Series.