A Look Back at (Em)Power Breakfasts through the Years
Student Leadership Network is driven by a mission of empowering young women through educational opportunities that respect where they come from, honor who they are, and celebrate where they’re going. Each fall for the last 14 years, we’ve gathered to amplify the accomplishments of these incredible students at our annual (Em)Power Breakfast. Over the years, this event has brought together our network of community leaders, partners, supporters, students, and families who share our passion and vision for gender and educational equity. Through this event, our students have had the pleasure of meeting and being inspired by such trailblazing women as Yara Shahidi, Malala Yousafzai, Abigail Disney, and Tracee Ellis Ross. While Covid-19 is preventing us from coming together this year, we are looking forward to celebrating in person at our 25th anniversary gala on April 6th, 2022.
In honor of our 25th anniversary, take a look back at the (Em)Power Breakfasts over 14 years and journey with us as we commemorate a few of our favorite memories.
Through the Years
2020: Barakat Abdul Finds Hope Through a Community
Like many of our students, Barakat Abdul faced insurmountable challenges in 2020—a year that was marked by violence against the Black community and an unprecedented pandemic. During her senior year at TYWLS East Harlem, Barakat leaned on her relentlessness and found hope in her generation which motivated her to keep pushing forward. With focus and drive, Barakat saw her dream become a reality when she was accepted to Cornell University and became the first in her family to attend college.
2019: Your Voice Matters
The Muslim Student Association at TYWLS Brooklyn saw a need for representation, and they used their voices to make a change. These students spent months working together for a common goal. The result? A school uniform option for everyone. This story is an inspiring example of what happens when you support young women and allow them to use their voices for change.
2018: Reclaiming Our Story
The students of TYWLS have dreams and aspirations; they want to see the world and make their families proud. They want to learn how to become advocates for themselves and others. They want to help make a difference in their communities and the world. Our 2018 showcase gives us a glimpse into the lives of the students at TYWLS Bronx, how they navigate challenges and demonstrate real grit as they work towards their dreams.
2013: An Education Is An Act of Courage feat. Malala Yousafzai
In October of 2012, Malala Yousafzai who was just 14 years old, was shot for speaking up against a Taliban-enforced law that made education for girls illegal in Pakistan. This violent effort to silence a young woman for seeking an education has only empowered a movement of women and girls to use their voices to stand up for the right to learn. Our TYWLS students continue to be l inspired by the young girls around the world who courageously fight for their right to an education every day.
As we gear up to our 25th Anniversary Gala, browse our video library here to see all of the videos from past (Em)Power Breakfasts.
25th Anniversary Spring Gala 2022
This school year, we will celebrate our students at an evening gala on April 6, 2022, at the American Museum of Natural History. Visit our event page to learn more, and purchase your tickets and/or sponsorships for what we promise to be an evening filled with hope!
Our Mission and Vision
Our mission has always been to provide girls and young women with a holistic education that supports them as they become our future leaders. We support young people growing up in diverse underserved communities to gain access to educational opportunities that help prepare them to fulfill their dreams.
When our founders, Ann and Andrew Tisch, established The Young Women’s Leadership School (TYWLS) of East Harlem back in 1996, we were proud to open the first all-girls public school in the United States in 30 years. Since then, we’ve grown and inspired dozens of single-sex Young Women’s Leadership Network schools across the country. We’ve seen students overcome many obstacles, and this last year, we saw our leaders thrive during a time of uncertainty and unrest on a level that was truly unforeseen.
What started with one woman’s vision and one pioneer class of 56 girls has become a sisterhood of thousands of empowered students across the United States. These extraordinary young women are using their education to drive change and live out their dreams. In a world where more than 32 million girls are denied an education, we believe that the work we’re doing will make a significant change for young leaders around the country and the world. Over 25 years, we’ve impacted over 50,000 students to gain access to educational opportunities. Through our work in college access and success, and girls’ education we are working towards a future without barriers to the educational opportunities all students deserve.
Learn more about our impact and how you can join us in our work towards educational equity.
