JWI Launches National Women’s Mentoring Program
Contact: Meredith Jacobs, (d) 202-464-4803//(c) 301-529-8591, [email protected]
Washington, D.C. – Jewish Women International (JWI), the leading Jewish women’s organization working to empower women and girls announces the full scale launch of its national 1-on-1 Mentoring Program. Mentoring cohorts pair women from the organization’s Young Women’s Leadership Network with highly accomplished Jewish women JWI has honored over the past 18 years as Women to Watch.
Following a two-year pilot, the national expansion includes close to 50 women from across the country. The women were partnered through an application process that thoughtfully partnered each mentor with her mentee. Taken into consideration were the mentee’s challenges and aspirations rather than profession or even geographic location.
The professions are as diverse as the women. “Our mentors are leaders in finance, real estate, entertainment, education, medicine, and even the military,” said Meredith Jacobs, COO of JWI. “It’s an incredible opportunity for our young women, giving them access to phenomenal women, who can really help guide their careers. Our two previous pilot projects were a tremendous success and it’s exciting to now take it to this next level.”
When Stephanie Rosner, a member of the D.C. Young Women’s Leadership Network, was debating a career switch, she was teamed with former Women to Watch honoree Pam Sherman of Rochester, NY. Sherman had left her career as an attorney to successfully pursue dreams of acting and writing. “Honestly, it reminded me of how exciting possibilities are when you are first starting out in your career,” she said of mentoring Rosner. “How brave you have to be to live in a place far from home and develop relationships and community, all while growing in your career path.”
“Those of us working in women’s leadership understand that mentors have historically given men an advantage in the workplace,” Jacobs continued. “If we are serious about advancing women leaders, we need to build mentorship for women. The right mentor can make a career—understanding how to guide the mentee, position her and give her opportunities that put her on the track to a successful career.”
The 1-on-1 Mentorship Program provides a way for role models to offer professional development and personal, financial, and career guidance for young women just starting their careers. The program runs for six months with the mentoring pairs meeting once a month, either in person, by phone, or through video conferencing.
JWI’s Young Women’s Leadership Network, funded in part by the Sondra D. Bender Community Leadership Institute, brings together Jewish professional women in their 20s and 30s to grow as leaders in their workplaces, their communities and their personal lives. Monthly events are hosted in each of the Network cities including D.C., New York, Chicago, Denver, and L.A. The Network is expanding to San Francisco in May 2019.
“The Networks are just one of the ways JWI spotlights women’s leadership,” said Lori Weinstein, CEO of JWI. “The issues we have been working on for decades that are now finally coming to light – sexual harassment, pay inequity, violence against women – the way we can truly impact transformational change is by creating professional opportunity and parity for women. When women have equality in the workplace, we create a better world for everyone.”
To learn more about the Young Women’s Leadership Network and the 1-on-1 Mentorship Program, go to www.jwi.org/ywln
Jewish Women International (JWI) is the leading Jewish organization working to empower women and girls by ensuring and protecting their physical safety and economic security, promoting and celebrating inter-generational leadership, and inspiring civic participation and community engagement. Inspired by our legacy of progressive women’s leadership and guided by our Jewish values, JWI works to ensure that all women and girls thrive in healthy relationships, control their financial futures and realize the full potential of their personal strength.
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