Forging Your Own Path to Success: A Women’s History Month Celebration

In celebration of Women’s History Month, on March 21, United Way NCA’s Women United hosted 20 high school students for a career discussion and volunteer opportunity. Women leaders and executives from various organizations like CareFirst, Exxon Mobil, EY, George Mason University, Guidehouse, Howard University, Management Solutions Consulting Group, Mortenson Construction, Pepco, Preferred Capitol Cleaning, Prince George’s Community College, and the Prince George’s County Government shared their experiences along the path to their chosen career.  

Following the panel and small group discussions, students and volunteers worked together to pack menstrual hygiene kits which were donated to their respective schools. The event concluded with lunch and further conversations between all partnerships. 

Women United is grounded in their commitment to serve the ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) population.  ALICE represents the nearly 500,000 households that earn more than the Federal Poverty Level but less than the basic cost of living for the county/state in which they live. This translates to an estimated 1.3 million adults and children living in the region who cannot meet the minimum cost of household basics. 

United Way NCA’s Women United center their fundraising and volunteer efforts on reducing barriers to education and economic opportunity by focusing on two key initiatives: 

• Menstrual Equity and Education: Women of ALICE and those living in poverty may be forced to choose between buying food or menstrual products. Students without access to these products may be forced to skip school or decide not to participate in after-school activities. Reducing barriers to attendance is critical to ensuring a student is prepared to succeed. 
• College and Career Pathways: Students may struggle in deciding what they will do after high school graduation. There are many different paths to career success and fulfillment, and it is important they are exposed to all the alternatives and learn from those who walked similar paths before them. Key to their success is equitable access to tools and resources, like laptops and practical experience, so they can thrive. 

United Way of the National Capital Area is committed to continuing our efforts to connect students with opportunities to explore life after post-secondary education and to be career and college ready.