Leadership is a crucial skill in advocacy and life, and it plays a vital role in shaping our communities. Regrettably, our society has often discouraged women from assuming leadership roles and embracing the essential quality of initiative. Nevertheless, there is a growing recognition of the importance of promoting and empowering women in leadership, and Montgomery County EmpowHER is taking steps to do so.
MoCo EmpowerHER, dedicated to building a secure, vibrant, and close-knit community, is where young women can fully realize their potential. They achieve this mission through various methods, including webinars and events. Their webinars expose young girls to different career areas, like the upcoming “Women In Law Panel” on Nov. 13, which connects aspiring women in law with current professionals, including lawyers and paralegals.
Their events serve both recreational and empowerment purposes. For example, they recently organized a Fall Fest Movie night at Gaithersburg High School for good old-fashioned fun. On the empowerment side, there’s the Girls’ Summit held in October at Clarksburg High School, which focuses on inspiring and empowering young women while having open discussions on the issues many teenage girls face today.
In addition to these activities, MoCo EmpowerHER boasts an impressive literary magazine website. This platform welcomes literary contributions from girls in Montgomery County, from poems to short stories to DIY crafts. Bethesda Chevy Chase sophomore Margot Kay said she “understands the value that literary creative expression can have, especially from the perspective of a teen in today’s world.” This literary aspect is a pivotal part of their institution, adding a unique and enriching dimension to their mission.
In addition to their career-related webinars, MoCo EmpowerHER also organizes events like the College Prep Panel. These panels feature alums of the program, most of whom are currently in college. These events offer younger girls the opportunity to gain insight into what life is like in college. One particularly noteworthy alumna is Hana O’Looney, who served as a co-chair of MoCo EmpowerHER as a student and is now a sophomore at Harvard University. Hana’s journey from being a Student Member of the Board (SMOB) to her current role at Harvard is a remarkable example of the impact and success achieved through MoCo EmpowerHER.
MoCo EmpowerHER’s Leadership Academy has two programs catering to middle and high school students. These academies run in two seasons, during the fall and spring. Each session spans two months and features bi-weekly Zoom workshops focusing on honing leadership skills and delving into women’s activism. The curriculum covers various topics, including public speaking, intersectionality, implicit bias, and team dynamics. At the end of each session, participants are grouped with new peers to collaborate on projects.
While the application window for the fall session has already closed, prospective participants can look forward to applying for the spring session, with applications expected to become available around February.
MoCo EmpowerHER takes on the crucial task of addressing global issues from a county-level perspective. By focusing on empowering and guiding the younger generation of women, they are essentially nurturing future leaders who will play a pivotal role in addressing and tackling these global challenges. Their website and Instagram are valuable resources for those eager to get involved and stay informed about MoCo EmpowerHER’s activities. Additionally, their Remind offers regular event reminders to keep you in the loop. Joining this platform ensures you will attend all the engaging events MoCo EmpowerHER hosts. To join, text @mocoe to 81010.
Written by Efratha Tewodros of Paint Branch High School
Photo Courtesy of Montgomery County Public Schools