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

 Leadership and  Social Entrepreneurship

Self-Esteem

Self-Esteem & Body Image

Career Exploration

Local & Global Career Exploration

Take Action Challenge

Service Learning & Social & Emotional Intelligence

Global Issues

Global Issues, Conflict Resolution, Media Literacy & Human Rights

Financial Literacy

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.

Leadership

 Leadership and  Social Entrepreneurship

Monica Foley
Monica FoleyNASA, Federal Reserve Bank
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Christina Garza
Christina GarzaFBI
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Self-Esteem

Self-Esteem & Body Image

Dr. Kate Walker
Dr. Kate WalkerClinical Director for achievebalance.org
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Libby Carstensen
Libby CarstensenGrief and Resilience Coach
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Career Exploration

Local & Global Career Exploration

Michelle Patterson
Michelle PattersonMarketing Expert - McLane Company, ShakeWell Creative
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Dr. Anita Bangale
Dr. Anita BangaleHealth Careers Expert - Emergency Medecine Physician
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Take Action Challenge

Service Learning & Social & Emotional Intelligence

Nicole Minor
Nicole MinorThe Pangea Network, Founder & Executive Director
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Dorothy Ombajo
Dorothy OmbajoThe Pangea Network, Country Director, Kenya
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Global Issues

Global Issues, Conflict Resolution, Media Literacy & Human Rights

Karen Rodriguez
Karen RodriguezKiss The Ground, COO
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Alondra Andrade
Alondra AndradeTahirih Justice Center, Senior Community Engagment Coordinator
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Financial Literacy

Financial Literacy / Social Etiquette

Sonja McCain
Sonja McCainTrustmark Bank, President
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George Lake
George LakeFinancial Literacy Expert, Investor, Entrepreneur
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Suzanne Kizer
Suzanne KizerFormer Federal Reserve Bank Economics Educator
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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.”

Our Impact

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“Even if an action is small or seemingly unmemorable, it could have an astronomical impact on another’s life” 2023 Alumni
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is the number of volunteer and extracurricular activities hours you can earn for your college application by participating in the YWLC program.
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YWLC alumni from 140 schools
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of our 2022-2023 participants said that YWLC gave them skills to lead a community service project with confidence
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“Even if an action is small or seemingly unmemorable, it could have an astronomical impact on another’s life” 2023 Alumni
YWLC

CALL FOR INTERNS!

The Pangea Network is looking for dedicated and passionate interns for its annual Young Women’s Leadership Challenge (YWLC) program. Our internship is open to college students, as well as high schoolers who are alumni of our program.