Congrats to 2024 Jean Shuman Scholarship Awardee

August 16, 2024

Congratulations to Erica Williams, YEA! Chicago Class of 2019!

After careful consideration, Erica Williams has been selected as this year’s scholarship recipient! Erica has been granted $3000. The Scholarship judges were so impressed with everyone’s submissions, they awarded $300 to each of the 8 other applicants as well. Lauren is a graduate of our 2019 YEA! Chicago cohort and will be studying Industrial Engineering at the University of Southern California this fall, which is considered one of the best schools in the country for this area of study.


“I am extremely honored to be the recipient of the Jean Shuman Memorial Scholarship, as it not only provides me with the financial support to help me achieve my goals as I head into college but it also serves as a reminder of the important values instilled in me through my participation in YEA! Chicago. To me, YEA! was more than just a program, it was a place for me to grow as I learned how to problem-solve and communicate effectively. To this day, YEA! has ignited an entrepreneurial spirit within me that I hope to keep exploring in the future. Along with that, this coming fall I will be majoring in industrial engineering at the University of Southern California to lead to my ultimate career goal of improving the planning and design processes within minority-run job sites, creating more efficient environments while also making sure diversity and inclusion is prioritized in the workplace. I’ve always been keen on increasing opportunities for others, and through this path and with the support from YEA! and the Jean Shuman Scholarship I will be able to do just that.”


The Jean Shuman Memorial Scholarship was established by Edgar Shuman and his family as a tribute to his late wife. Jean, a Pittsburgh, PA native, attended the Julliard School of Music. Following graduation, she appeared at Radio City Music Hall and in Broadway shows. Later, while raising her children, she continued to touch thousands of people with her deep love and understanding of classical and popular music, performing at festivals, supper clubs, and concerts throughout the United States and Canada. Jean had a lifelong commitment to education – and even started saving for her future children's’ college education on her honeymoon. She was recognized by all that knew her as a truly kind and compassionate person and was appreciated for her lifelong commitment to her family and art. Read more about the Jean Shuman Scholarship for YEA! Chicago graduates HERE.



As this year’s scholarship recipient, Erica has demonstrated the YEA! values and the integrity, courage, and skills necessary to thrive in business and life. Congratulations Erica!

RECENT ARTICLES

2025 YEA! Investor Panel Recap

March 21, 2025
Congratulations to the YEA! Chicago Class of 2025!

Female Strong Hosts First-of-Its-Kind Camp with Eisenhower High School

February 27, 2025
Female Strong’s camp at Eisenhower High School, themed “Turn Your Passion into Action and Share it with the World!”, was a day of creativity, self-discovery, and empowerment. As our first-ever camp held at a high school during a school day—rather than a corporate location—it provided a unique opportunity to engage with a group of young girls who already had connections with one another. This familiar setting fostered deeper conversations and collaboration as participants explored the meaning of confidence, reflected on their strengths, and learned strategies to assert themselves in various situations. Through interactive discussions and role-playing exercises, they tackled real-world challenges, gaining valuable tools to navigate conflict with self-assurance and empathy. The camp also encouraged entrepreneurial thinking, as students worked together to develop innovative solutions to everyday problems. They brought their ideas to life by designing products and services, refining their concepts, and presenting them to their peers. The hands-on approach fostered collaboration, critical thinking, and a sense of ownership over their ideas. Beyond business and leadership skills, the day emphasized personal growth. Students created vision boards to represent their aspirations, mapping out their goals in a tangible and inspiring way. Through every activity, the camp provided a supportive space for young women to embrace their voices, step into leadership, and turn their passions into action. A heartfelt thank you to the dedicated volunteers, the Female Strong team, and board member Jen Tadin for their leadership and support throughout the day. We are also grateful to Eisenhower High School for hosting this inspiring event and for their commitment to empowering the next generation of female leaders.

Female Strong Selected as 2025 Charity Partner for ARCO/Murray and Heidrick & Struggles

February 11, 2025
We’re excited to share that Female Strong has been selected as a 2025 charity partner by both ARCO/Murray and Heidrick & Struggles . These collaborations will further support our efforts to equip young girls with the skills, confidence, and mentorship they need to thrive as future leaders.  ARCO/Murray will begin their partnership on March 6 with the WIC 2025 Women in Construction Celebration event , which will explore ways to support women in the construction and engineering industries. All proceeds from the event will benefit Female Strong. On July 30, they will host their third Female Strong Camp for girls aged 8 to 12. A consistent advocate for our mission, ARCO/Murray raised over $20,000 in 2023, significantly contributing to the expansion of our programming.