Disability EmpowHer Network

Applications for EmpowHer Expressions are open NOW! If you still aren't convinced it's worth applying for this incredible program, check out this video featuring some of our graduates then head over to our website to apply today! Learn more at https://lnkd.in/ezbZdhpi #CareerDevelopment #PublicSpeaking #DisabledWomenLead

Last night our fall cohort of EmpowHer Expressions gave their final speeches after 8 weeks of learning and growing and we're already recruiting for the next cohort! Interested in an 8-week virtual public speaking program designed for and by disabled women? Then we highly recommend EmpowHer Expressions! Don't take our word for it, listen to someone who just completed the program! Participant Emily shares her perspective: "I would recommend other people participate in EmpowHer Expressions if you want to improve your public speaking skills. I feel with each week my confidence has increased because of the tips and tricks our guest speakers as well as Sophie give us. Lastly, I enjoy the general sense of camaraderie, belonging, and understanding we all have as a cohort so if you are looking to improve your speaking skills, and confidence, and connect with like-minded people, I suggest applying for EmpowHer Expressions” Does this sound like the right fit for you? Learn more about the 8 week public speaking program and apply at: https://lnkd.in/e9eiiKJk Image description: a graphic featuring the quote above alongside a picture of Emily, a white nonbinary person with glasses and long hair smiling. The text reads "EmpowHer Expressions Applications Open Now!"

This year Rochester Business Journal selected Disability EmpowHer Network as one of the 20 organizations honored with the inaugural 2023 Elevating Women Award. Elevating Women honorees are companies and organizations that have demonstrated tangible efforts and documented results in supporting and empowering women in New York. Nominated companies are judged on documented hiring and promoting of women; leadership positions held by women; advocacy for the cause of women internally and externally; and efforts to cultivate the next generation of women professionals. Disability EmpowHer Network is committed to uplifting and empowering girls, women, and feminine aligned people with disabilities. Our Executive Director, Stephanie Woodward, was honored to accept this award alongside our Board Chair Kathryn Carroll and our EmpowHer Roc+ Coordinator Amanda McGinnis. Image: Kathryn, a pale be woman with blonde hair standing, Stephanie, a white woman who sits in a wheelchair, and Amanda, a white woman with brown hair and glasses standing. They smile at the camera while Stephanie holds the award.

This summer 10 young leaders from across the nation joined us to start their EmpowHer Camp journey! As a part of the L'Oreal Women of Worth Award, L'Oreal Paris generously worked with us to create this video which captures that magic of EmpowHer Camp and the work we do 💜 We're excited to share this with you all!

Last night, our Executive Director Stephanie Woodward was honored by L'Oreal Paris as one of their 2023 Women of Worth. Stephanie shared the story of Disability EmpowHer Network with the audience, advocating for the extraordinary people in Disability EmpowHer Network and emphasizing the importance of investing in girls and women with disabilities. As a part of the award, L'Oreal Paris made a generous financial investment of $25,000 in Disability EmpowHer Network, worked with HBO to craft a captivating video to showcase the essence of our work, and provided a national platform to amplify the voices of the girls and women of Disability EmpowHer Network. By celebrating our work, L'Oreal Paris is demonstrating that they know that disabled girls and women are ✨worth it✨ Thank you L'Oréal Paris! Images: 1&2: Stephanie wears a pink dress and sits in her wheelchair while speaking at a podium. Dame Helen Mirren is next to her. 3. All of the Women of Worth honorees and the CEO of L'Oreal Paris pose together. 4. Stephanie speaking with Eva Longoria. 5. Stephanie and Dame Helen Mirren posing with the award. 6. Stephanie poses with the award. 7. Words on a wall: L'Oreal Paris Women of Worth.

Two of our EmpowHer Camp alumni were honored at the United Spinal Association Strong Wheeled Together awards for being leaders in the Disability Community. Anja Herrman, EmpowHer Camp Class of 2022, won in the writing category. She has written fantastic pieces for national publications and for her EmpowHer Camp project she wrote a groundbreaking white paper about how ill prepared school districts are to assist students with disabilities during school shootings. Giana Bisnett, EmpowHer Camp Class of 2023, won in the youth leadership category. For her EmpowHer Camp project Giana committed to advocating for her school to acquire evacuation chairs to use for people with mobility disabilities during emergencies. Not only was Giana successful in advocating for her own school to be equipped with evacuation chairs, her leadership resulted in the entire school district getting evacuation chairs. Giana also helped with training staff to use the chairs. Congratulations to Giana and Anja! #EmpowHerCamp #DisabledGirlsCan #DisabilityMentoring #EmpowHerCampGrad

Our very own Opal Besaw received the Linda Gonzales Award from APRIL! Opal received this award for being an outstanding youth and we couldn't agree more. Opal is a graduate of our inaugural EmpowHer Camp Class of 2022 and for her community impact project she chose to curate an emergency preparedness resource guide for people with disabilities in her local community. Her project now serves as a living document that can help Montanans in emergencies. In addition to the outstanding work she's done with EmpowHer, Opal also volunteers her time with APRIL serving on their Youth Steering Committee and with the Montana Office of Public Instruction. Opal also works as a peer advocate at her local Summit Independent Living where her job is centered around youth engagement. Opal is a passionate advocate, a caring friend, and a powerful young woman. We love watching her as she makes the world a better place #EmpowHerCampGrad #EmpowHerCamp #DisabledGirlsCan #DisabilityMentoring Image: Gold glittery background with a picture of Opal in the center. Opal is a teen girl with light skin and brown hair wearing a purple shirt. Words: 2023 Linda Gonzales Award Winner Opal Besaw 

Yesterday was International Day of the Girl and First Lady Jill Biden celebrated by recognizing 15 young women leaders, selected by the White House Gender Policy Council, who are leading change and shaping a brighter future in their communities across the United States. One of those incredible young leaders is our very own Anja Herrman 🩷 Anja is a graduate of our EmpowHer Camp Class of 2022. For her community impact project, Anja conducted research and authored a white paper documenting how ill prepared school districts are to meet the needs of students with disabilities during school shootings. Since then she's been invited to present her research to agencies in the federal government and other organizations. Anja is a fantastic writer, a powerful advocate, and a supportive friend. We are honored to know her and grow with her everyday. We're proud to celebrate Anja and countless young women leaders across the nation. https://lnkd.in/e_6d_BbM #DisabledGirlsCan #DisabilityMentoring #EmpowHerCamp #EmpowHerCampGrad Image: Anja, a pale teen girl wearing glasses and a black floral shirt, smiles.

Do you get the butterflies when you have to present at work? Does introducing yourself in a group make you jittery? Does your stomach churn at the thought of leading a meeting? Then you should check out EmpowHer Expressions, a public speaking and career coaching program for disabled women and feminine aligned people to improve their public speaking skills and confidence in order to achieve career goals and succeed in the working world. Participants learn about and practice important skills including perfecting elevator speeches, presenting to various stakeholders, interviewing, and negotiating while also covering disability specific topics. EmpowHer Expressions is a 8 week virtual program with regular assignments, weekly 1-on-1 mentor meetings, and 90 minute class periods every Monday 7pm- 8:30pm EST starting October 23, 2023. Applicants should be ambitious, have an interest in improving their public speaking skills, and have at least one public speaking goal that they want to achieve! Applications close September 20th at 11:59pm EST. There's just 9 days left to apply! Apply at: https://lnkd.in/gG3sgN3Q #DisabledWomen #PublicSpeaking #Negotiation #PublicSpeakingClass #Disability [Image description: Graphic featuring text that reads: "EmpowHer Expressions A Virtual Public Speaking Class for Disabled Women" "Spend 8 Weeks Learning How to: Refine Your Elevator Speech, Develop an Effective Presentation, Negotiate in Your Work & Home Life, Facilitate & Lead Meetings & Events, And Much More! Apply Today!" An image of a white woman holding a microphone is in the bottom left corner and the Disability EmpowHer Network logo is on the right hand side.]