Young Women's Preparatory Network Announced (formerly FEYW)

To better align its mission with its name, the Foundation for the Education of Young Women announced a new name and a whole new look on Sept. 24 at a festive celebration on the lawn of the group’s East Dallas headquarters that included a gathering of board members, educators, donors and students. 

Gloria Campos, Evelyn Henry Miller, Laura Estrada--all three are Young Women's Preparatory Network board members; Sally Posey (who, along with her late husband, introduced this all-girls concept to Texas; left of sign); Gina Betts, Young Women’s Preparatory Network board chair (in back middle); Lynn McBee, Young Women’s Preparatory Network CEO

The newly-named Young Women’sPreparatory Network (Young Women’s Prep for short) provides private funding and other resources for the network of STEM-focused, all-girls preparatory public schools across Texas. Currently seven schools strong with plans to expand, the single gender campuses, which are primarily attended by disadvantaged and second-generation immigrant students, boast 100% graduation rates and high achievement in college admission exam performance and college scholarship awards.

 

The party’s agenda included after-school fare from Steel City Pops and Ruthie’s Rolling Café, as well as student performances by a girl-power cheerleading squad, an orchestra and a Ballet Folklorico troupe from the newest school in the network—the Young Women’s Leadership Academy at Arnold in Grand Prairie. 

Young Women's Leadership Principals Berta Fogerson (Lubbock), Vivian Taylor-Samudio (Dallas), Cheryl Horton (asst. principal, Grand Prairie), Mia Hall (Fort Worth), Delesa O'Dell Thomas (Houston), Jeanne Goka (Austin) (not pictured: San Antonio)

“As we headed into the second decade of operations, we looked back and saw that we’d become so much more than a granting organization for these programs,” explains Lynn McBee, Young Women’s Prep CEO, “and then we realized it was time for a new name and a new look. We’ve got big plans for the future, which means we need a strong brand image that will adequately convey our message to donors and community members.” 

 

Founded in 2004 as a partnership with the Dallas ISD, the Foundation for the Education of Young Women, now Young Women’s prep, has helped open schools in Dallas, Austin, Fort Worth, San Antonio, Lubbock, Houston, and Grand Prairie in the last decade – and talks are in place to launch a new program in Harlingen, TX.

Young women from two schools along with the leaders Sally Posey (left of sign); Lynn McBee, Young Women’s Preparatory Network CEO; Gina Betts, Young Women’s Preparatory Network board chair (both right of sign)



Actress Viola Davis Keynoted Attorneys Serving Community Luncheon Benefiting Foundation for the Education of Young Women

Viola Davis spoke powerfully about growing up in poverty as the keynote speaker of the Attorneys Serving the Community (ASC) luncheon on June 20 at the Hilton Anatole Hotel to a group of 1,000 attendees. The event benefited the Foundation for the Education of Young Women (FEYW), a network of public schools that support single gender, college preparatory education. Specifically, the funds are supporting an internship program at Irma Lerma Rangel Young Women’s Leadership School, the first FEYW network school in Dallas, which is celebrating its 10^th anniversary.

 

Gloria Campos, former WFAA news anchor and current FEYW board member, served as the mistress of ceremonies. DeNooyer Stroh, co-chairwoman of the ASC, presented the ASC Friend of the Community Award to American Airlines, Inc.

Kim J. Askew (Honorary Chair), Viola Davis, Lynn McBee (FEYW CEO)

Irma Rangel graduate Karla Guadalupe Garcia Rico told her story of being the first in her family to attend college. This fall she will attend the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. After meeting and touring Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi and U.S. Representative Eddie Bernice Johnson at her school, Rico’s goal is to run and become U.S. president.

 

Lynn McBee, CEO of FEYW, added, “Four of our seven FEYW network schools had graduating seniors this year. All of them—146 young women—graduated and received more than $14.6 million in scholarships, and 100% of them are attending a four-year college or university. Personally, this is the most transformative work I’ve done, and it’s moving the needle in education by better equipping these young women for college and leadership positions.”

 

Campos introduced Viola Davis. “Viola Davis is best known for her Academy-Award nominated performances in ‘The Help’ and ‘Doubt,’ as well as her role opposite Julia Roberts in ‘Eat, Pray, Love.’ Raised in abject poverty, Davis fell in love with theater early in high school as a form of escape. Her passion and acting talent enabled her to earn a full scholarship to the Young People’s School of the Performing Arts, after which she attended the prestigious Juilliard School. Davis translated her hard work and dedication to success on Broadway, in television and film and was named one of TIME Magazine’s ‘most influential people of 2012.’ Her story about going to college and achieving her dreams is similar to many of the girls in the FEYW network of schools.” 

Kelli Hinson and Dena DeNooyer Stroh (both ASC co-chairs) with Beverly Goulet (American Airlines) who received the ASC Friend of the Community Award

Viola Davis spoke powerfully and sadly about her life amidst poverty, domestic violence and racism. “I was born in 1965 on a plantation, and my mom was one of 18 children. We moved from the south to Rhode Island where our building was rat infested. I wore the shame of guilt and poverty like I wore my name.”

 

At a very young age, Davis threw herself into school and theater as she sought to be the best and to receive accolades and awards for her performances. “I was an overachiever and I sought out competition.” Those competitions led to scholarships and a path different than her parents.

Irma Rangel students with Viola Davis and Vivian Taylor, Principal of Irma Rangel (far right)

Davis spoke directly to the young women in the audience and said, “You have to remember that failure exists on the same plane as accomplishments, and you have to work it out. You have to release your fears (of what’s holding you back). It’s okay to fall and bump, but keep moving.”

 

Kelli M. Hinson, co-chair of Attorneys Serving the Community, thanked Viola Davis for her talk and announced that the FEYW raised more than $400,000 for Irma Rangel Young Women’s Leadership School’s internship program.

28th Annual ASC Luncheon Welcomes Academy Award Nominee Viola Davis

Attorneys Serving the Community (ASC) announced that Academy Award nominee Viola Davis will be the keynote speaker for its 28^th annual ASC luncheon on Friday, June 20 at noon at the Hilton Anatole Hotel, Chantilly Ballroom. Proceeds benefit the Foundation for the Education of Young Women (FEYW), a network of public schools that support single gender, college preparatory education in order to provide young women, many from economically disadvantaged situations, an opportunity to achieve academic and leadership success. Specifically, the funds will support an internship program at Irma Lerma Rangel Young Women’s Leadership School, the first FEYW network school in Dallas, which is celebrating its 10^thanniversary.

 

Viola Davis is best known for her Academy-Award nominated performances in “The Help” and “Doubt,”as well as her role opposite Julia Roberts in “Eat, Pray, Love.” Raised in abject poverty, Davis fell in love with theater early in high school as a form of escape. Davis translated her hard work and dedication to success on Broadway, in television and film and was named one of TIME Magazine’s “most influential people of 2012.”

 

Kim J. Askew is the event’s honorary chair. She is a long-time leader in the American Bar Association, State Bar of Texas and Dallas Bar Association.

 

Lynn McBee, CEO of FEYW, added, “We thank Attorneys Serving the Community for selecting the Foundation for the Education of Young Women as the beneficiary of this luncheon. Since our founding, we have invested funds and resources with impressive results: 100% of our seniors graduate from high school and 100% are accepted to college.”

Attorneys Serving the Community Chairs are Dena DeNooyer Stroh of Murchison Oil & Gas, Inc. and Kelli Hinson of Carrington Coleman.

 

Former WFAA news anchor Gloria Campos is the mistress of ceremonies for the luncheon and also serves on the FEYW board.

 

Tickets are available for $100 and sponsor levels start at $1,500. For more information on sponsorships and purchasing tickets, call 214-824-1400 or email Cindy Ryan at cryan@feyw.org.

Chi Omega Awards Beneficiaries of 2013 Christmas Market

The 2013 Chi Omega Christmas Market wrapped up Thursday, February 20, 2014, with a check presentation at the home of Phil and Melissa Wise from 6-8 p.m.

2014 Chi Omega Christmas Co-Chairs Sara Koda and Allison Cox

The Dallas-area Chi Omega Alumnae, along with representatives from the 10 honored beneficiaries, gathered together to celebrate the 2013-year, as well as the past 36 years of giving to Dallas-area non-profits.  Originally pledging $205,000, the 2013 Chi Omega Christmas Market, held November 20-23, raised $282,626! This will allow for the Chi Omega Alumnae to give even more money to each beneficiary.

 

Market chairs Ashley Chapel and Beth Arnold presented checks to Chi Omega Education Corporation, Community Partners of Dallas , Foundation for the Education of Young Women, Healing Hands Ministries, Just Say YES, Make-A-Wish Foundation® of North Texas, North Texas Food Bank, Sky Ranch, Suicide and Crisis Center of North Texas and Chi Omega Collegiate Scholarships. A representative from each beneficiary shared touching stories and the different ways the donations would be allocated within the organization.

2013 Chi Omega Christmas Market Co-Chairs Ashley Chapel and Beth Arnold, North Texas Food Bank Senior Gifts Manager Lauren Holloway and Denise Jernigan

Guests included Jana Beth Eidson, 2012 Market Co-Chair Denise Jernigan, Melissa and Phil Wise, Jennifer Shultz, Karen Elaine Gray, Jamie Fuller, Celia Boisfontaine, Peggy Bessellieu, Joanna Clark, Margie Wright, Sue and Dan Bailey, 2014 Market Co-Chairs Sara Koda and Allison Cox, Linda Paulk, Lauren Holloway, Paige McDaniel, Lynn Murtha, Charlotte Sullivan, Carol Heller, Bitsy Carter and Amy Timmerman.

 

The 2014 Chi Omega Christmas Market is set for November 19-22, 2014, in Centennial Hall at Fair Park.

December Spotlight from FEYW

Kimberly, a sophomore at the Irma Rangel school, is a leader making a positive impact in her school. To deal with racism and discrimination, she created posters and flyers to hang at her school and throughout her neighborhood.  She gave speeches at church and city council meetings urging individuals to “Be Empowered”.  She applied for the Princeton Prize, and was selected as a winner!

The Princeton Prize in Race Relations recognizes high school students who work to promote harmony, understanding and respect among all races in their communities.  Kimberly was honored for pioneering the school project “United”--campaigning for peace among people of different racial backgrounds.

Winners received an all-expense paid trip to the Princeton University campus to attend the Princeton Prize Symposium on Race.  The student winners from across the country immediately connected with each other through their shared passion to start a revolution against racism.  The 2 ½ day event included conversations and workshops on race relations with local students and Princeton students, alumni and faculty.

Back in Dallas, Kimberly was celebrated at a recognition ceremony where she delivered her presentation to local civic leaders.  Her commitment to lead others persists--she reminds classmates and community members “It stops with you!”  Kimberly will graduate from Rangel in 2016 and plans to study Criminal Justice at Indiana University.

The mission of Foundation for the Education of Young Women is to support single-gender, college-preparatory, public education in Texas and beyond, giving young women the academic and leadership skills to achieve success in college and in life.

By utilizing public-private partnerships and innovative methodologies, FEYW is working within the system to ensure that all of our students graduate from high school and are adequately prepared to achieve success in college. FEYW formed its first public-private partnership with the Dallas Independent School District, and in August 2004, the first all-girls public school in Texas, the Irma Rangel Young Women’s Leadership School, opened its doors.