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HOUSTON, TEXAS
The Essence Ladies Network (E'Ladies Network of Houston) has been in existence since May 1989 when it began as Essence of a Lady. It originated as a social and charitable organization for women and aspiring women entrepreneurs. Twenty 23 women gathered at the Holiday Express near the Astrodome to socialize, mix and mingle under the leadership of Dr. JoAnn Ajayi-Scott. Each month afterwards, a women hosted the networking event at her home as she spotlighted her products and services. After several years of growing, supporting girls as philanthropists, and coordinating fundraising events, Essence of a Lady had its first-ever "Lady's Only" conference in 1993. Then, after a brief hiatus, Essence of a Lady reorganized in 1995 only to go on hiatus as a group for 8 years. Meanwhile, the founder, Dr. JoAnn Ajayi-Scott continued to mentor women entrepreneurs as they explored business ventures. July 2003, Essence of a Lady reorganized again with seven ladies, who were constantly pursuing their dreams of entrepreneurship. In August 2003, incorporation papers were filed and our IRS determination letter was granted for 501(c)3 status. In 2007, E'Ladies Network was established to be the support arm of Young Essence Ladies...Learning (YELL!). Since its inception, women entrepreneurs have supported the growth of YELL! Participants as mentors, volunteers at special events, chaperones at field trips, and partners and donors to YELL! Programs. June 2012, over 20 women joined the E'Ladies Network to be on the planning committee of the first-ever Females are FABULOUS! Conference, celebrating girls who participated in YELL! Programs and women and women entreprenuers in E'Ladies Network who supported these programs. In 2013, the E'Ladies Network has evolved by establishing strategic partnerships with diverse women entrepreneurs who are providing funding for field trips, incentives for participating in our weekly group mentoring sessions, and monthly hair services for academic achievement and personal growth. May 2015, Essence of a Lady had its first one day Females are Fabulous Conference at the Sheraton Hotel at the Airport. The speakers, YELL! Girl models and amazing sponsors helped the conference be successful. We gave 4 scholarships to young ladies nominated by members of the E'Ladies Network. May 2016, Essence of a Lady had its second one day Females are Fabulous Empowerment Conference at JW Marriott in downtown Houston. The event brought girls from two high schools, two amazing young fashion designers and YELL! Girls as models together with amazing speakers and entrepreneurs from the E'Ladies Network! One young lady who had volunteered with YELL! was surprised with a scholarship, prom dress she modeled and an internship with a magazine!! JOIN THE MOVEMENT.... complete the form here or contact us at eladiesinfo@eladies.org for more info. |
JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA
Join E'Ladies Network of Jacksonville Then register to mentor at www.mentoring.org, click on "Become a Mentor" to the right. After that, click on Young Essence Ladies Learning Texas (or Florida in Jacksonville) Next, submit form and you will be contacted within 48 hours. Make a donation via the DONATE button on the site at www.eladies.org/DONATE Expected registration donation is $29.95 Finally, decide if you want to: Become a Mentor (one to one or group sessions weekly at school during designated time) Become a Volunteer(chaperone field trips, volunteer at monthly workshops or special events) Donor Partner Sponsor (a girl, YELL! Event, or Conference) Background: ELadies Network of Florida has been in existence since August 2008. That month, 10 women and women entrepreneurs signed up to become mentors, volunteers, and partners to the YELL!Mentoring program. Four and a half years later, March 2012 we secured Pinedale Elementary to implement our first elementary mentoring program. Under the guidance of Margie Ramsey, August 2012, we began recruitment of girls to participate in our weekly group mentoring sessions. Now, January 2013, we will begin our first session with 10 girls enrolled. 2018-2019 was amazingly fabulous for the E'Ladies of Jacksonville and YELL! Girls! Through the network, YELL! girls had monthly workshops, math and reading tutoring opportunities, quarterly birthday celebrations, participation in events locally and nationally! YELL! Girls went to Atlanta to participate in STEM Day. They also raised enough money so that 13 YELL! Girls and seven parents and supporters in the E'Ladies Network were able to attend the 2019 Females are Fabulous Empowerment Conference in Houston, Texas!! It was a huge success! During its 30 year celebration, Essence of a Lady received a Congressional Award from Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee. It was three days of women, community, business and entrepreneurs coming together to educate, mentor and empower YELL! Girls. 2 scholarships were given to YELL! Alumni for undergraduate and law school! You can make the difference in how the YELL! Mentoring program grows in Jacksonville and any other city in Florida. For more information on how you can support in Jacksonville, complete the interest form here or contact Margie Ramsey, Vice President of YELL! Mentoring at margieramsey@eladies.org. For more information on how to charter and affiliate program in other cities in Florida, contact Dr. JoAnn Ajayi-Scott, Founder/CEO/President at joannajayiscott@eladies.org and send an email at yellmentoring@eladies.org |