The Young Women’s Leadership Challenge (YWLC) is a yearlong U.S.-based program for high school aged-girls created and managed by The Pangea Network, a nonprofit dedicated to empowering women and communities in the U.S. and Kenya. YWLC is composed of a summer conference, mentoring, monthly meetings, Fall and Spring workshops and lectures throughout the year.
The Pangea Network, founded in 2005, is an international non-profit dedicated to empowering motivated individuals 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.
The Pangea Network’s U.S. program, The Young Women’s Leadership Challenge (YWLC), was created in 2012 to empower high school-aged young women in the U.S. to become confident, equipped leaders and community changemakers. YWLC is a year of activities including monthly meetings which include expert speaker lectures, mentoring, volunteering, trainings, and Pangea’s signature Take Action Challenge (TAC).
We are offering a hybrid program for 2023-2024.
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 for YWLC Online
Attend the YWLC Summer Conference
Take Action Challenge (TAC) Project + Connect with your Mentor
Fall Monthly Meetings + TAC Implementation
Spring Monthly Meetings + TAC Is Accomplished
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
- Need-based scholarship applications are available online to cover the cost of the program fee
2. Attend the YWLC Summer Conference
- Conference Dates, June 19th-June 24th 2023 (in person at Rice University)
- 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.
- During the monthly meetings you may also schedule to meet with your mentor who is helping you to achieve your TAC project goals.
- There will be a mandatory Fall meeting at which all alumni convene to share their TAC project progress and challenges.
- Pangea will organize speaking engagements at schools and universities to inform new students about our work in Kenya and here in Texas – this will be open to all alumni and anyone interested to learn more about the organization.
5. Spring Monthly Meetings + TAC Is Accomplished
- YWLC participants are completing their TAC activities and events.
- Monthly meetings will continue, and a mandatory Spring Meeting is held for all students to share their TAC project outcomes with fellow students, parents, and community members.
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.
