empowerment

100-Year Sunday Story: Typical Girl Does Boy’s Job

2022-07-10T15:58:59-05:00

As part of our 100th anniversary, EmBe is highlighting powerful women from our past! These women remind us to be courageous and strong in our lives, and to follow our passions, even when others are against us. This week’s spotlight is on Diane Powell– a member of the YWCA from the 1940s! On September 2, 1947, Diane Powell became Sioux Falls’ first woman sports editor for a high-school paper. Because of this (and many other achievements), the YWCA named her the Y-Teen representative of the city. She traveled to many cities with this title and connected with other YWCA members. [...]

100-Year Sunday Story: Typical Girl Does Boy’s Job2022-07-10T15:58:59-05:00

EmBe is Accepting Applications for 2021 Women’s Leadership Class

2021-05-04T11:36:06-05:00

(Sioux Falls, SD - May 5, 2021) – EmBe is currently accepting participant applications for the 2021 EmBe Women's Leadership Program. Designed by leaders in the community, the leadership program helps empower women to reach their greatest potential. Since its inception in 2011, over 250 women have completed the program. Women in any career field can benefit from this intensive course, which combines a strong personal development focus along with valuable professional development experiences.  Participants will also gain the opportunity to create important personal and professional relationships with other future leaders, mentors and facilitators for lifetime support. "I now have [...]

EmBe is Accepting Applications for 2021 Women’s Leadership Class2021-05-04T11:36:06-05:00

Fast Five: Ways to Empower Women in Your Community

2020-08-17T12:11:36-05:00

Women in our communities face gender inequalities.  In 2018, women in South Dakota earned an average 82.7% of the typical weekly earnings made by their male counterparts, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Women represent half of the US population but more than half the opportunity for growth, according to the US Chamber of Commerce. Empowering women lifts the entire community. When women work, economies grow. Studies by USAID show that if an equal number of women as men participated in the global economy, the global GDP would increase by $12 trillion by 2025.  Empowerment comes in all [...]

Fast Five: Ways to Empower Women in Your Community2020-08-17T12:11:36-05:00

The Challenge of Finding Childcare

2020-08-10T12:56:57-05:00

Finding childcare can pose a challenge to any parent. Finding childcare that prioritizes children’s learning, health and safety is often much more difficult. Megan Koppen, a working mom, knew she wanted a center with these qualities and more. Koppen began her search for childcare with Google. “We literally did a Google search, and EmBe was the first one that popped up,” Koppen said. Koppen scheduled a tour and was impressed with what she found. “We really loved the security of it,” she said. “I’m kind of a neat freak, so cleanliness was a big thing. You could tell it was [...]

The Challenge of Finding Childcare2020-08-10T12:56:57-05:00

‘I felt so loved and special, they cared about me and my success’: Colleen Keiser’s Story

2020-07-31T08:39:42-05:00

Colleen (left) practicing mock interviews. “I felt so loved and special, they cared about me and my success” Feeling beaten down emotionally and mentally, Colleen Keiser was looking to boost her self-confidence and to sharpen her professional skills for an upcoming job interview. “I wanted to gain my self-confidence back and understand what I wanted to do with the rest of my working life,” Keiser said. In 2019, Keiser joined Women to the Workforce, an EmBe program designed to help prepare participants to obtain employment or advancement in their current jobs. “I felt like each session was specifically [...]

‘I felt so loved and special, they cared about me and my success’: Colleen Keiser’s Story2020-07-31T08:39:42-05:00

From YWCA to EmBe, Carol Spader’s Story

2020-07-31T08:41:12-05:00

Carol Spaders's connection to EmBe began in childhood, when she was attending swimming lessons every Saturday at the YWCA (now EmBe). "Finances were tight,” Carol said, recalling her father’s diagnosis with a neurological disorder and ultimately, his death in her teenage years. “I think my mother looked for free or inexpensive experiences in the community. Hoping that she might instill a vision in her girls to go further than she could." Carol continued. Early in Carol’s career in community development, she was invited to serve on the YWCA Board. During her time on the board, Carol learned the importance of [...]

From YWCA to EmBe, Carol Spader’s Story2020-07-31T08:41:12-05:00

Paying Empowerment Forward

2020-07-06T13:59:30-05:00

Kaaren Randel is passionate about paying empowerment forward. Decades ago, after a divorce and facing homelessness, Kaaren found encouragement with an organization who provided her with the tools she needed to find success. “They helped me put together a resume, coached me on interviewing, provided me with professional clothing for interviewing, and gave me the support and encouragement I needed to get my family's life together,” she recalled. “Having other women in the same situation helped me realize that I was not alone and there was light at the end of the struggle.” Kaaren says that has motivated her to [...]

Paying Empowerment Forward2020-07-06T13:59:30-05:00

Shelby’s Childcare Experience

2020-07-06T13:59:12-05:00

Shelby Hartung noticed a difference in EmBe’s childcare from the moment she met the downtown location staff. “Everybody felt like friends. That was the biggest experience we had on our tour.” Hartung discovered EmBe shortly after moving from Bismarck, North Dakota. She began her search for childcare with Google, and EmBe’s name appeared at the top of the list. After scanning EmBe’s web page, Hartung called to set up a tour.  On her tour, she met Desiree Wolfe, EmBe’s Downtown Childcare Site Manager. Wolfe led her through the facility, showing Hartung the spaces for learning and play. Hartung felt an [...]

Shelby’s Childcare Experience2020-07-06T13:59:12-05:00

Experiencing Nurturing Networks

2019-09-16T17:21:43-05:00

EmBe gathered representatives of nearly a dozen workplace networks to share their insights about women supporting each other at work. These 40 women represented a range of careers, experiences and levels of leadership, ultimately answering a resounding “yes” when asked if additional meetings should be convened. Led by Erin Bosch, Executive Director of Women’s Programming at EmBe, the World Café-style conversation harvested perspectives about the benefits of women networking at work, how it works best, and how women can positively impact the region. Specific tips? 1.    Suggest board opportunities to other women – and share their names. 2.    Turn to other women [...]

Experiencing Nurturing Networks2019-09-16T17:21:43-05:00

EmBe 2019 Tribute to Women Honorees

2019-04-19T14:44:05-05:00

On Thursday evening, April 18, 2019 nearly 900 people gathered at the Sioux Falls Convention Center to celebrate people whose work supports women in our region. From 74 nominees, winners were selected in nine categories, including the EmBeliever category which is open to women, men and organizations. The foundation of Tribute began with the Leader Luncheon in 1973, a vision of Sylvia Henkin and Marlene Billion. Since then, there have been 329 winners and more than 1,500 nominees. Thoughtful nominators were key to the receipt of 74 nominations. Then, each category was judged by three individuals utilizing a standardized report [...]

EmBe 2019 Tribute to Women Honorees2019-04-19T14:44:05-05:00
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