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.
WHAT DOES THIS MEAN?
When you apply to YWLC 2022-2023 you are applying for a year-long hybrid program which includes:
Summer conference – (in-person at Rice University campus AND we will offer a fully virtual option – you can only choose 1 option at the time of your application)
Monthly meetings – with expert speakers – all will be held virtually every first Wednesday of the of the month from 5-7pm
Mentoring – you will be paired with an awesome and inspiring female business professional who will help guide you as you plan, create, and execute your community service project which we call the “Take Action Challenge”
Take Action Challenge (TAC) – Get ready to make a change in your life and in the life of your community! You are going to learn how to start and run a community service project! Each participant is committing to plan and execute a community service project starting in the summer through to Spring 2023
WHEN IS THE PROGRAM?
June 2022 – April 2023
The conference will be held at Rice University Campus from June 20-25. For those who want to join virtually we will offer that option. (Mon – Sat 8:30 am – 4:30pm CST)
Fall Monthly Meetings + Mentoring + TAC implementation
Monthly ONLINE meetings every first Wednesday of the month at 5pm – 7pm CST, including a MANDATORY Fall and Spring Meeting. (You will execute your community service project, AKA the Take Action Challenge (TAC) remotely).
Spring Monthly Meetings + Mentoring + TAC implementation and Presentation
Monthly ONLINE meetings every first Wednesday of the month at 5pm- 7pm CST, including a MANDATORY Fall and Spring Meeting. (You will execute your community service project, AKA the Take Action Challenge (TAC) remotely).
YEAR-LONG HYBRID PROGRAM?
Yes! The 2022-2023 program will start off in-person or virtually (we hope to be able to go back to how it always was with in-person but we will also have a virtual option) with the summer conference at Rice University followed by Monthly Meetings (held the first Wednesday of every month) and mentor sessions which will all be virtual. You will create and execute your Take Action Challenge (TAC) in whichever way is possible for you – in-person or virtually.
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
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.
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.”
