JA Rising Women
mentor
What?
What is JA Rising Women?
A 13-week after school program focused on training young women to be the next generation of successful entrepreneurs.
This is the simple response. But, as with the many other meaningful programs funded by the Women’s Giving Circle of Howard County (WGC), JA Rising Women is far from simple once you pause to consider the words of a program graduate:
In 2014, the WGC funded its first multi-year grant in partnership with Junior Achievement of Central Maryland, providing $60,000 over three years to create a unique, hands-on opportunity for local high school students to learn all about business.
These cohorts, ranging in size from 12 to 30 young women, work together to develop a product or service then guide it through the countless steps from idea to market. Participants collaborate to select their CEO, who then conducts interviews and selects her leadership team. Together, they identify and create key positions for their peers, and this is only the beginning.
It may sound overwhelming when you pause to consider participants range in age from 9th to 12th graders, but by their sides, mentoring them through each part of the process, stand a group of talented women business leaders committed to teaching participants what they need to know to succeed.
Eight years later, the WGC has continued a $20,000 per year investment totaling $220,000 to see 250+ young women discover the joys and challenges of creating something from the ground up, learning the ins and outs of business planning, finance, sales, and marketing while gaining valuable experience in networking, collaborating, interviewing, and thriving in a corporate environment.
This funding partnership has been possible because of the support of our many donors, and in particular, the strong, meaningful leadership of WGC donors Bach and Bob Jeffrey who were both heavily involved in JA of Central Maryland and the Women’s Giving Circle.
JA Rising Women has launched numerous student-run companies, which have earned thousands of dollars, some of which has gone right back into our community, benefitting local organizations such as the Howard County Food Bank, Chesapeake Bay Foundation, Special Olympics, and the Linus Project.
This is JA Rising Women.
So What?
The heart of the program is mentorship: women with experience in leading and running businesses sharing their insights and knowledge with younger women in a strategically designed setting crafted to maximize the learning process.
Some students enter the program with little to no experience in entrepreneurship, others join with a passion for it. Either way, participants gain confidence and develop skills that will enable them to flourish no matter where their paths lead.
Graduates of the program highlight the all-female environment as a critical factor in making them feel empowered. While comparing side-by-side experiences in launching a business, one through JA Rising Women and the other through a high school class, one graduate noted that she spoke up and shared opinions and ideas far more frequently when surrounded and supported by other young women. In the predominantly male setting at school she was far more reserved, speaking only when spoken to.
Building confidence along with the skills and knowledge required to run a business is critical for women seeking leadership positions in business. And that’s exactly what JA Rising Women does.
Now What?
While women have made great strides in achieving C-Suite positions in businesses over the last decade, the fact remains that in 2022 only 8.8% of Fortune 500 companies are led by women.
Not every graduate of JA Rising Women will choose to go into business leadership, and that’s perfectly fine: the breadth and depth of the knowledge they gain throughout the experience will serve them well wherever their paths lead.
Others, though?
Her cohort was chosen to compete at the JA National Student Leadership Summit (NSLS), and of the fourteen teams selected, theirs was the only all-women student company represented.
When you consider all that JA Rising Women has to offer, it truly is a remarkable program, one that the WGC was honored to help create and proud to continue to support.
For 20 years, the WGC has dedicated itself to leveraging our collective dollars, to amplifying the power of collective giving, to building a community of philanthropists and creating a permanent legacy to address the needs of women and girls in Howard County.
Will you join us?
Will you join us? www.womensgivingcircle.org
Be a part of our story.
#WGC20Years
#WGC20Years20Stories
mentor
What?
What is JA Rising Women?
A 13-week after school program focused on training young women to be the next generation of successful entrepreneurs.
This is the simple response. But, as with the many other meaningful programs funded by the Women’s Giving Circle of Howard County (WGC), JA Rising Women is far from simple once you pause to consider the words of a program graduate:
- “Since joining JA Rising Women, I have learned skills that will help me thrive in college or in the working world. Being a part of the creation of a company allowed me to experience every aspect of a business, where I uncovered a passion for the business field.” – Paula Shin, River Hill High
In 2014, the WGC funded its first multi-year grant in partnership with Junior Achievement of Central Maryland, providing $60,000 over three years to create a unique, hands-on opportunity for local high school students to learn all about business.
These cohorts, ranging in size from 12 to 30 young women, work together to develop a product or service then guide it through the countless steps from idea to market. Participants collaborate to select their CEO, who then conducts interviews and selects her leadership team. Together, they identify and create key positions for their peers, and this is only the beginning.
It may sound overwhelming when you pause to consider participants range in age from 9th to 12th graders, but by their sides, mentoring them through each part of the process, stand a group of talented women business leaders committed to teaching participants what they need to know to succeed.
- “JA Rising Women is exactly the kind of on-the-ground opportunity for young women that we love to support. It gives girls a chance to roll up their sleeves and learn through experience, empowering them to take the lead and find fulfillment in their future endeavors.” - Alison Canning, former chair of The Women’s Giving Circle
Eight years later, the WGC has continued a $20,000 per year investment totaling $220,000 to see 250+ young women discover the joys and challenges of creating something from the ground up, learning the ins and outs of business planning, finance, sales, and marketing while gaining valuable experience in networking, collaborating, interviewing, and thriving in a corporate environment.
This funding partnership has been possible because of the support of our many donors, and in particular, the strong, meaningful leadership of WGC donors Bach and Bob Jeffrey who were both heavily involved in JA of Central Maryland and the Women’s Giving Circle.
- “Having participated in JA myself as a student, I know firsthand the long-term benefits of practical, hands-on business education exposure at an early age. Bach and I are grateful to make it our priority to give the same opportunity back” said Bob Jeffrey. “We’ve seen two Howard County Rising Women programs advance to the JA National Student Leadership Summit and are honored to help fuel this momentum … every student should have a chance to introduce their innovations on such a large stage.”
JA Rising Women has launched numerous student-run companies, which have earned thousands of dollars, some of which has gone right back into our community, benefitting local organizations such as the Howard County Food Bank, Chesapeake Bay Foundation, Special Olympics, and the Linus Project.
This is JA Rising Women.
So What?
The heart of the program is mentorship: women with experience in leading and running businesses sharing their insights and knowledge with younger women in a strategically designed setting crafted to maximize the learning process.
Some students enter the program with little to no experience in entrepreneurship, others join with a passion for it. Either way, participants gain confidence and develop skills that will enable them to flourish no matter where their paths lead.
- “We’ve watched girls grow from students to entrepreneurs in the JA Rising Women program. Our Rising Women learn the importance of creativity, collaboration and hard work and carry those skills into the future.” Jennifer Bodensiek, Former President and CEO for Junior Achievement of Central Maryland.
Graduates of the program highlight the all-female environment as a critical factor in making them feel empowered. While comparing side-by-side experiences in launching a business, one through JA Rising Women and the other through a high school class, one graduate noted that she spoke up and shared opinions and ideas far more frequently when surrounded and supported by other young women. In the predominantly male setting at school she was far more reserved, speaking only when spoken to.
Building confidence along with the skills and knowledge required to run a business is critical for women seeking leadership positions in business. And that’s exactly what JA Rising Women does.
- During this program, I watched my daughter grow through the practical application of business skills needed to become a confident business woman. She learned these skills by the actual practice of starting and running a business with other young women in the program. - Ife Omitowoju, MD, JA Rising Women Participant Parent
Now What?
While women have made great strides in achieving C-Suite positions in businesses over the last decade, the fact remains that in 2022 only 8.8% of Fortune 500 companies are led by women.
Not every graduate of JA Rising Women will choose to go into business leadership, and that’s perfectly fine: the breadth and depth of the knowledge they gain throughout the experience will serve them well wherever their paths lead.
Others, though?
- “After participating in JA Rising Women, I realized business was the field for me. I discovered something that finally utilized my skills and interested me.” - Barathi Aravindan, JA Rising Women Graduate
Her cohort was chosen to compete at the JA National Student Leadership Summit (NSLS), and of the fourteen teams selected, theirs was the only all-women student company represented.
- “NSLS gave me a chance to experience networking as a real business woman. Overall it was a fun business experience that most high schoolers never get the chance to experience. We also participated in multiple workshops with C-suite mentors on what it means to be an entrepreneur in your innovation, social responsibility, and global impact. I expect the lessons I learned from JA Rising Women and NSLS to lead me into a strong business-guided future.” - Erin Duncan, JA Rising Women Graduate
When you consider all that JA Rising Women has to offer, it truly is a remarkable program, one that the WGC was honored to help create and proud to continue to support.
- “These funds will help to prepare young women for economic success by providing hands-on opportunities that honor, value and celebrate the female perspective, experiences and unique development.” - Megan Bruno, Former WGC Advisory Board Chair
For 20 years, the WGC has dedicated itself to leveraging our collective dollars, to amplifying the power of collective giving, to building a community of philanthropists and creating a permanent legacy to address the needs of women and girls in Howard County.
Will you join us?
Will you join us? www.womensgivingcircle.org
Be a part of our story.
#WGC20Years
#WGC20Years20Stories
