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.
YWLC 2024-2025
PROGRAM DETAILS
YWLC 2024-2025 is a hybrid program.
You start by attending the summer leadership conference in-person.
Mandatory monthly meetings begin in August and are held on the first Wednesday of every month ONLINE via zoom from 5:30 – 6:30pm CST.
Mentoring – each participant is assigned a mentor who helps you plan and execute your community service project (Take Action Challenge) – meetings are typically 30 min long and happen 2-4 times a semester via phone, zoom, or in-person.
Take Action Challenge (TAC) your project is coming to life as soon as you finish the summer leadership conference and you are working on it throughout the Fall and Spring semester.
You will present your TAC journey, experience, and accomplishments at the final monthly meeting in April 2025.
WHEN IS THE PROGRAM?
July 2024 – April 2025
Houston, TX
July 15-20 (Mon – Sat)
8:30 – 4:30pm daily
Rice University
Austin, TX
July 8-13
8:30 – 4:30pm daily
LBJ School of Public Affairs, UT Austin
Monthly meetings (mandatory): First Wednesday of the month 5:30 – 6:30pm @Zoom
Mentoring meetings: 2-4 times per semester scheduled directly with your mentor.
Click HERE to read about our Mentors
Community Service Project (Take Action Challenge TAC):
You will create a business plan for your TAC during the summer conference and you have one year to plan and execute your project.
YEAR-LONG HYBRID PROGRAM?
Yes, 2024-2025 is a hybrid program!
We start in-person for the summer leadership conference.
Mandatory monthly meetings are held online via zoom every Wednesday from 5:30 – 6:30 pm CST.
You work on your community service project which we call the Take Action Challenge (TAC) in your own time.
1-1 Mentor meetings are for you to schedule directly with your mentor.
YWLC focuses on the following…
Leadership and Social Entrepreneurship
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
Our Speakers
YWLC finds the best speakers to empower you on your journey to being the best version of yourself…. from all walks of life and the world’s most important organizations you get exclusive access to women who share their stories so you can learn and grow on your own path. Check out our speakers who are all inspiring role models and mentors throughout the year at YWLC.
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
In addition to the Fall and Spring workshops, we have monthly meetings on the first Wednesday of every month.
Each student is paired with a mentor who helps them develop their TAC project. Click here to learn about our amazing mentors.
Quotes from our participants
“My time at YWLC was life-changing. Before going, I didn’t think that I had the potential to become a great leader, but now I feel more confident with myself.”
“My time at YWLC was an experience that not only opened my eyes to how I can make an impact in my community and globally, but also to how I can further appreciate my strengths and skills and how I apply them to my everyday life.”
“The most valuable thing I learned at YWLC was to truly pursue your passion and be your own leader – just because the majority of people are doing one thing, doesn’t mean you have to follow it or believe that that is the right path.”
