With a roll of the dice, a neighborhood bunco group provided a chance connection for three Castle Pines women. Once known to each other by first name only, these Knightsbridge ladies are three of five women leading the new Denver chapter of Empowering Women as Leaders (EWL): Brenda Ferguson, president; Colleen Norwine, STAR program director and interim secretary; and Anita Valdez-Hohenstein, mentorship director.

EWL is a 20-year-old, Texas-based nonprofit supporting nontraditional female college students with scholarship, mentorship and networking. Now, Denver is home to the first out-of-state chapter.

Brenda, a business owner focused on entrepreneurial operating systems, was a passionate Girl Scout troop leader while her daughter was growing up. When it came time for the troop to disband in high school, it left a hole in her heart.

While networking for her business on LinkedIn, Brenda connected with EWL founder Carolyn Bondy. Their conversation renewed her spark for supporting others. “I missed giving back and doing things to help other women,” said Brenda

EWL focuses on women who did not go to college at the traditional age, for reasons such as caretaking, finances or simply life getting in the way, but are making it happen later in life. The selected women are called STARs.

Partnerships with Metropolitan State University and CU Denver enable Colleen —a strategic communications, marketing, sales and chief of staff professional—to identify strong candidates who have started the back-to-school journey. “I’ve loved collaborating with the national office and our university partners to launch the STAR scholarship program,” shared Colleen.

Mentorship is the special sauce for EWL. Anita, a first-generation college graduate, understands the importance of helping others. As mentorship director, she is building a database of women ready to share knowledge, wisdom and encouragement.

Anita’s background as a type 1 diabetes researcher correlates nicely with the group’s desire to support women in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. “Our goal is to have about 50% of our STARs pursing STEM,” she said.

In November, the board reviewed the top four applications and conducted interviews. “We are incredibly excited to have LaToya Morgan as our first STAR. She exemplifies the women we are here to help,” said Brenda.

LaToya, a mom of two daughters, is a first-generation college student and a junior at MSU studying nursing. She paused her original college start to care for her dad.

According to Brenda, LaToya is grateful for the scholarship, and the mentoring is even more important. LaToya said that she has always been the one to lift up others; this is the first time she is the one being lifted.

After she completes her nursing degree, LaToya plans to pursue her master’s degree to become a women’s health nurse practitioner and certified midwife.

The EWL Denver chapter is growing. Board and advisory board roles are still being filled, specifically in fundraising and governance. Women interested in these roles or becoming mentors and companies or individuals interested in corporate sponsorships or donations to support STAR scholarships can contact Brenda at brenda.ferguson@ewlusa.org.

Learn more at www.ewlusa.org/chapters/denver.

 

By Elean Gersack; courtesy photo