YEA! Graduate Attends 2024 National Leadership Conference

August 16, 2024

Celebrating Success: Female Strong Scholar Shines at National Student Leadership Conference

At Female Strong, our mission is to empower and uplift young women, providing them with opportunities that amplify their potential and nurture their growth. We are immensely proud to share the achievements of an exceptional individual who has exemplified the spirit of our organization: Emery Matthews. This remarkable young woman, an alumni of our Youth Empowerment Academy (YEA!) program, was awarded a scholarship to attend the prestigious National Student Leadership Conference hosted at esteemed universities all over the country. Her experiences and accomplishments are a testament to the power of education, determination, and the unwavering support of Female Strong.

Emery Matthews’ Scriptwriting and Filmmaking Camp at UCLA


This summer at UCLA’s NSLC scriptwriting and filmmaking camp was an incredible experience. Participants enjoyed initial dinners and networking with peers from across the country. They were inspired by guest speaker Alex Wu from 3 Body Problem and tackled a 48-second film challenge, gaining hands-on production experience.


They explored leadership styles, visited the Dolby Theatre, and went on field trips to the Academy Museum and Warner Brothers. They learned screenplay creation, cinematography, and editing, with editing being a standout class. Leadership activities included the Red and Black game and the Dyadic Encounter, which offered deep personal insights.


A highlight was Christi Karvonides, a costume designer for American Horror Story, who inspired future designers. The camp concluded with participants planning, filming, and sharing their own 5-minute short films, culminating in earning their own Oscars.


“Overall the NSLC was an insightful, eye opening experience that gave me inspiration and the courage to follow after my dream of become a movie director. The field trips we went on, activities we did, and guest speakers we had all made this experience one for the books. Everyone was so kind, and helpful, and I will cherish this experience for the rest of my life.” ~ Emery

Learn more about the YEA! Chicago program, our 6 month entrepreneurship intensive for girls in 6th-12th grade, at https://femalestrong.org/program/entrepreneur-girls/. In October, we are kicking off a new cohort in Downtown Chicago. We encourage you or a passionate girl in your life to apply today!

RECENT ARTICLES

March 21, 2025
Congratulations to the YEA! Chicago Class of 2025!
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.
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.
Share by: