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| WOMEN'S FUND EN ESPAÑOL |
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Terrific Ten The Women’s Fund was able to raise $5,000 through contributions from interested donors that made it possible to fund 10 full scholarships that covered the costs of air fare, hotel accommodations and conference fees for 10 high schools students and two chaperones who attended the women’s conference. The Texas Conference for Women is the state’s premiere networking and educational experience designed to engage, enlighten and empower women from across the state. The non-partisan conference features nationally recognized speakers, presenters and panelists who are leaders in business, media, health, personal development and finance. The El Paso’s Terrific Ten scholarship program for the Texas Conference for Women was started in 2006 by group of El Paso women leaders including Jerry Wright, Sylvia Firth, Rose Gailey, Wendy Bengal, Patricia Shipton, Gracie Quintanilla and Phyllis Rawley. The Women’s Fund is pleased to carry on the tradition by creating the El Paso’s Terrific Ten Giving Circle and providing leadership development opportunities for young women in our community. Here are El Paso’s Terrific Ten scholarship recipients, amazing young women who are sure to become leaders in our community. El Paso’s Terrific Ten Scholars Olivia Avila “Just talking about the issues without taking steps as a leader to change them is not for me. I already had a voice and was heard as well, though. I wanted to go beyond that and try to change my school.” “The women’s conference was more than just a room filled with women; it was a way to interact and become acquainted with professional women who had gone through what at the time us, as women, might be going through. Through this conference I opened my eyes to a reality that I had been blinded to.” “The Women’s Fund and the Center for Civic Engagement was what made this possible. Thanks to their hard fund raisings and dedication to obtain corporations to sponsor us (“The Terrific Ten”) we were able to attend this conference.” Sandra Balderrama “Women are the trunks that hold together most families, and it is in their hands to rear children to the best of their abilities to become exemplary citizens. Therefore, all women should be given the opportunity to educate themselves, to speak up, and to lead in order to create a beneficial epidemic of them also educating their children to be the best they can be.” “The Texas Conference for Women was one of the best experiences I've ever gotten to be part of. I am so grateful that I got the opportunity to attend and meet such influential and successful women and men. It truly inspired me and taught me so many things that now I want to inspire and teach to others. A thousand thank yous would not be enough to thank all the people who made this possible (including our chaperons), and to the girls who will get the opportunity to go next year consider yourselves extremely lucky (although wearing comfortable shoes would not be a bad idea either). Again Thank you to everyone who made this possible.” Teresia Carreon “Attending this conference, I hope to find more influences that will help me in reaching my goals. Although I understand getting where I want to be is hard, my family has instilled in me that nothing is impossible as long as I am willing to work hard.” “Seeing that many women in one room who were all successful business owners and entrepreneurs was amazing. The women who were our speakers sparked a new fire in me and have helped me realize that my dreams are not impossible.” “If I could say anything to the people who gave me the opportunity it would be as simple as “Thank you”. Although they are simple words, these women who gave me the opportunity won’t ever realize how much it has meant to me because it has given me a whole new outlook at life.” Aileen Carrillo A leader must also be able to take down obstacles for others to be able to succeed. I am not saying that a leader should take down all obstacles and five others a free ride to success, but simply make success a more attainable reality for those others. In short, leadership requires a person who is devoted to helping others and who sets an example to those who don’t know where to look when they need help.” “Listening to all the stories of women, who struggled in their careers and yet managed to thrive to the top, truly inspired me to stand up for what I believe in. I couldn’t believe the things some of these women had to go through to achieve their goals. I now understood how the “Glass Ceiling” worked and how difficult it could be to get through it. When I listened to them tell us about their struggles, I became even more proud to be a woman, and I learned that if I believe and stand up for myself, I can do anything I want.” “I would really like to thank the Women’s Fund of El Paso for giving me this eye opening experience to the real world. Thank you again for this great opportunity.” Stephanie Diaz “I truly believe in the progressive women movement, and being such a strong advocate for change I could play a key role in bringing back information to my community, helping other young ladies improve themselves while promoting civic engagement. I like to believe that I was meant to be an advocate for those who are too afraid to step up and let their voice be heard.” “From the moment I received the acceptance letter to the closing ceremony of the conference, I have felt nothing but empowerment. The Center for Civic Engagement and other community partners who made the Terrific Ten Scholarship possible have added meaning to my life and given me the strength to empower others by allowing me the opportunity to attend the Texas Conference for Women.” Madison Dillon “It is extremely important for young girls to have empowering role models. We should be admiring women of character instead of celebrities who attain frequent DWIs. What message does that send to our youth?” “I am very grateful for this experience; I gained so much. The speakers were amazing, motivational and inspiring role models. I got ideas to implement in my energy and environment committee, student council, and my life. The friends I made were great! I honestly didn't think I was going to connect to anyone that fast. I have a feeling we will still keep in touch. Also, I was able to learn more about different career options and it gave me more of an idea of what I want to do with my life, that is: impact my community and one day the world positively.” Susanna Garcia “Growing up in a Mexican-American Family, I learned what it is to be a woman…women have endured so much and still continue to move along and become successful. I find myself in awe of women such as Emma Tenayuca, a reformist for Mexican-American rights during the Great Depression. I believe that one cannot make a difference alone but together it can be done. I take pride in being a woman because I am influenced by women, not just mainstream, but here in my community as well.” Christina Guerra “I believe that leadership is the act of utilizing the sum of all of one’s abilities and talents to ignite one’s own inner spark, so that it may shine bright enough to guide the paths of others. It is the act of stepping above and beyond the expected roles of society and normalcy to become something stronger, a force to change the world. Although many try to assume the position, only a few are successful in their endeavors. A true leader must posses the qualities of drive, determination and sheer blind ambition if she truly wishes to succeed in this demanding role. I believe that I have the power within me to be a leader.” “I would like to say thank you, sincerely, to the people who provided me this wonderful opportunity. I was able to get a firsthand glimpse at true examples of women who, using the sheer power of their wills, where able to break through and shatter the glass ceiling. I cant tell you what a difference it makes in my perspective, to be able to go past the abstract views of “women can go so far these days” and “with hard work, a women can accomplish anything”, to real concrete examples of strong women living the dream. Once again, thank you very much!” Valiza Patterson “We young people can learn so much when we get to gather at a function like this with the people who attend them because they believe in the strength of educated and constructive women like Judge Briones, Anchor woman Estella Casas, and Educator Leona Washington and there are so many more right here in our own community. We upcoming women need to be able to give back to our community since its given us so much,” “I learned many things from the Texas Woman's Conference. I learned that a woman can make a difference no matter how big or how small the difference is. Woman must stick together at all times was another point that will stay dear to me heart.” “I want to say thank you so much for giving me the opportunity to be able experience the Texas Woman's conference. This is an experience I will never forget but thank you so much.” Cynthia Saldaña Leadership is born within our souls but needs to be nourished with love and passion in order to blossom into a flourishing characteristic that stands out from the rest of the world. Life has tossed me around from problem to problem, like finding out I had a half brother with Cerebral Palsy to realizing Child Support doesn’t really support my family. I have overcome the struggles and have given hope to those who know men. I have used my love and strength to prove that I am a leader in my community. This is why I think I would be a tremendous leader for your Terrific Ten Conference. |
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