The Pangea Network’s U.S. program, The Young Women’s Leadership Challenge (YWLC), was created in 2012 to develop the capabilities and potential of high school girls in the U.S. We believe in a world where every young woman can thrive, which is why YWLC empowers them to become confident, equipped leaders and community changemakers. YWLC is a year of activities starting with a 6-day in-person conference followed by virtual monthly meetings which include expert speaker lectures, mentoring, volunteering, trainings, and Pangea’s signature Take Action Challenge (TAC).

The Pangea Network, founded in 2005, is an international non-profit dedicated to empowering women and youth in Kenya and the United States with the knowledge, skills, and an ongoing network of support in order to achieve their dreams and make positive, life-changing contributions in the communities where they live.

How do I get involved in the

YWLC program

There are 5 steps to becoming a part of our global network of young women leaders. Read below about each step and if you have any questions, please contact us.

APPLY TODAY

Apply for YWLC by submitting an online application

Attend the YWLC Summer Conference

Create and plan your community service project which we call the Take Action Challenge (TAC) + Connect with your Mentor

Attend Fall Monthly meetings virtually + work on your TAC

Attend Spring monthly meetings virtually + complete your TAC

1. Apply for YWLC Online at empowered2lead.org

Open to all high school girls who are rising sophomores, juniors, and seniors.
Apply for YWLC at empowered2lead.org
YWLC Cost is $500.
We offer need-based scholarships which cover $475. The scholarship application is part of the main application.

2. Attend the YWLC Summer Conference

Once you are accepted into the program, the first part is to attend the summer conference

On the last day of the conference, you will present your Take Action Challenge (TAC) and plan the work for the year ahead!

3. Take Action Challenge (TAC) Project + Connecting with your Mentor

By the last day of the summer conference, you will have written out the blueprint and plan of action for your personal project called “The Take Action Challenge” or TAC.
The TAC asks every participant to design and implement a service project in their community or the world and Pangea has witnessed students make incredible social impacts.
You will have 1-year to complete your TAC which you will implement during the Fall and Spring semesters.

4. Fall Monthly Meetings + TAC Implementation

YWLC alumni will have an opportunity to attend monthly after-school meetings. Each month will feature a different expert speaker on topics related to women empowerment and careers.
Monthly meetings are mandatory and they are an opportunity to connect with your YWLC network, learn new skills, and get inspired to build your community service project.

5. Spring Monthly Meetings + TAC Is Accomplished

YWLC participants are completing their TAC activities and events.
Monthly meetings will continue, and at the final meeting all students will share their TAC projects journey and outcomes.

YWLC focuses on the following…

Leadership / Social Entrepreneurship & Create your Take Action Challenge

Self-Esteem & Body Image

Local & Global Career Exploration

Service Learning, Social & Emotional intelligence

Global Issues, Conflict Resolution, Media Literacy & Human Rights

Financial Literacy / Social Etiquette

You will have the opportunity to create, plan, and execute a community service project which we call the Take Action Challenge (TAC)! Click here to get inspired by our alumni TAC projects

Welcome to the YWLC

global online network

You have attended the conference, you have completed your TAC, and now you are able to network with like-minded girls! Some might still be in high school, some might be at college, and many are interning, volunteering, or starting their first job. You now belong to an alumni network of like-minded women who are compassionate global citizens and committed to community service! Through our monthly meetings and alumni reunions, you will have opportunities to connect with the alumni network to ask for advice, references, and contacts that can help you with your personal and professional goals.

In addition to the required conference and workshops, you will also have the opportunity to attend lectures throughout the year. We partner with like-minded organizations and invite guest speakers on topics related to leadership, social entrepreneurship, and current global trends. Although these lectures are optional and open to all area students, we highly encourage you to attend and continue your life-long learning about leadership, self-awareness, compassion, and service.

APPLY TO BE A COLLEGE INTERN

APPLY TO BE A HIGH SCHOOL INTERN

Young Women’s Leadership Challenge (YWLC) College Intern Application

Step 1 of 10

Are you looking for a meaningful internship with a non-profit organization? Are you passionate about women’s empowerment? Are you interested in human rights? Is community service your thing?

The Pangea Network is looking for dedicated and passionate college interns for its annual Young Women’s Leadership Challenge (YWLC) program. Intern tasks include attending training sessions for the YWLC conference, program management, event planning, fundraising, administrative tasks, and mentoring students.

YWLC is a year-long program designed to empower high school girls in a holistic way. The program starts with an intensive hybrid leadership conference, which will take place at Rice University and online via zoom for those who want to join virtually, followed by ongoing mentorship, monthly online workshops, and the creation and execution of a community service project.

DEADLINE TO APPLY AS A COLLEGE INTERN: April 20, 2024

Save and Continue Later

The primary focus of the internship is to support and facilitate the YWLC program, in particular, the summer leadership conferences, while learning how to work with an internationally operating non-profit organization. The intern should be comfortable with leading discussion groups of high school girls, leading leadership activities, and mentoring. Furthermore, the student should have an interest in the development of young women as leaders as well as in global issues, human rights, social entrepreneurship, financial literacy, career exploration, self-defense, and community service.

Past college interns have come from Rice University, UT-Austin, University of St. Thomas, Texas A&M, LSU, George Washington University, and many more.

We have an internship opportunity in Houston and Austin

In each city, you can apply for either the Conference Internship or the Summer Internship. Please note that the conference rehearsal and the actual conference week are mandatory, and we expect your full participation and commitment.

Conference Internship: May - July

Week of May 13: 5 hours YWLC Conference training
Week of May 20: 5 hours YWLC Conference training
Week of May 27: 10 hours YWLC Conference training
Week of June 3: 10 hours YWLC Conference training
Week of June 10: 10 hours YWLC Conference training
Week of June 17: 20 hours YWLC Conference training (conference rehearsal)
Week of June 24: 20 hours YWLC Conference training (conference rehearsal)
Week of July 1: Hours depending on availability due to July 4th holiday

Austin	Houston
Austin YWLC Summer Conference: Week of July 8 - 13	Houston YWLC Summer Conference: Week of July 15 - 20
Week of July 15: 2 hours attend a debrief session and discuss lessons learned and best practices	Week of July 22: 2 hours attend a debrief session and discuss lessons learned and best practices
Your internship ends July 19	Your internship ends July 26

The Summer Conference in both Austin and Houston is Monday - Saturday, 8:00am - 5:00pm* *This is the actual YWLC Conference. The conference is 6 days long, Monday through Saturday from 8:30am – 4:30pm CST. Interns are expected to be present 30 minutes prior and after conference hours (8-5pm Monday - Saturday, plus potential movie or activity nights may be added)

Summer Internship May - August

Same as the conference internship weeks/hours listed above, please note the different dates for Austin and Houston.

In addition, as a summer intern, once the conference is over, you will work remotely on a report of the survey data collected from the conference. You will analyze the YWLC pre and post-conference surveys to find insights, best practices, trends, and areas for improvement. We expect you will spend 5-10 hours per week on the data analysis and will represent your final report findings to the staff the week of August 26th via zoom or if possible in person at the Pangea office in The Woodlands, TX.

STIPEND

Interns who successfully complete the internship will receive a $200 stipend.

To be considered for the internship, please send your application in by April 20th, 2024.

If the deadline has passed, please email ivana@thepangeanetwork.org.

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Our Impact

YWLC impact since 2012

of the 2021-2022 program participants said they consider their leadership skills to be stronger after the summer conference.

is the number of volunteer and extracurricular activities hours you can earn for your college application by participating in the YWLC program

YWLC alumni from 140 schools

of our 2022-2023 participants said that YWLC gave them skills to lead a community service project with confidence

of the young women said that YWLC has given them the skills to create, plan, and execute a community service project (2020-2021 program participant data)