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 2021-2022, you are applying for a fully online, year-long program which includes a summer conference, monthly meetings with expert speakers, mentoring, and the creation and execution of a community service project.
WHEN IS THE PROGRAM?
June 2021 – April 2022
Summer Leadership Conference June 14th – June 24th
- The conference is spread out over 2 weeks and each week we will meet Monday through Thursday from 10am – 3pm CST.
- Week 1: June 14th – June 17th: (M,T,W,Th 10 – 3pm CST)
- Week 2: June 21st – June 24th: (M,T,W,Th 10 – 3pm CST)
August – April (monthly meetings every first Wednesday of the month at 5 pm or in-person when possible)
YEAR-LONG PROGRAM ONLINE?
Yes! The 2021-2022 program is fully online and we will use Zoom for all of our meetings. Once the online summer conference, June 14th – 24th is done, we will have monthly after-school meetings (first Wednesday of every month) online and you will create and execute your Take Action Challenge (TAC) remotely. If and when it is safe to meet in person we will plan accordingly.
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.”