The WGC's Young Women’s Giving Circle (YWGC) is one of the most powerful ways the Women’s Giving Circle of Howard County invests in the next generation of women leaders. Designed for high school and college-age young women, the YWGC introduces participants to philanthropy, leadership, and civic engagement while giving them real opportunities to learn, lead, and make change in their community. Learn more here

YWGC members and interns participate in hands-on learning throughout the year, including grantmaking, issue education, leadership development, and advocacy. As we begin the new year, the group is already off to a strong start.

At their first meeting of the year, YWGC participants focused on building one of the most important leadership skills of all: the ability to speak up with confidence and clarity. WGC Advisory Board member Cheryl Gray facilitated an engaging session focused on presentation skills - an especially timely topic given the Young Women’s Giving Circle’s growing role in advocacy this year.

As WGC Grants Committee Co-Chair Paula Seabright shared, "Advocacy is a central focus of the YWGC intern program this year ... to help prepare interns to testify in support of menstrual hygiene legislation expected to come before the Maryland General Assembly, participants worked with Cheryl to strengthen their presentation skills, learn how to communicate their message effectively, and build confidence in sharing their voices publicly."

These skills will be critical as the interns prepare to advocate for policies that directly impact women and girls - an issue area that aligns closely with WGC’s longstanding commitment to menstrual health, dignity, and equity. Stay tuned for more details about the bills under consideration this legislative session and how you can support them. We are proud to see these young women stepping into leadership roles and using their voices to create change.

The Young Women’s Giving Circle represents the future of women’s philanthropy and civic leadership in Howard County. If you would like to support these amazing young women you can donate below, thank you!