Founder's Message

It’s hard to believe we’re already through the first half of 2022 and kids are returning to school. As we approach the fall season, we have some amazing events to announce. Check out the Upcoming Events section.

This is a great opportunity to thank everyone for their contributions so far this year and to update you on our continued growth and impact.

First, let me share some STAR feedback about the impact EWL is having on their lives.

"There are truly no words to define the amount of gratitude I feel. There are definitely struggles but you are not making just one impact but many more to be seen in the future (generations). From me to my two girls and so on. This scholarship has been a blessing and a privilege to be a part of.”

“I am forever grateful for EWL donors. Thank you for supporting me in my education, investing in me and most importantly thank you for not just my future, but my son’s future. I feel incredibly honored to be a representative of this community. I know how much of an impact this program has made on mine and my son’s life.”

I truly appreciate the opportunity I have been given to gain the knowledge and wisdom from other courageous women who have stood against the odds and became a leader within their fields. The inspiration and encouragement I received was invaluable beyond comprehension. This has been a once in a life opportunity. I am so grateful you saw my potential.”

Love our STAR stories! And love that we are expanding, impacting the lives of more women. We are doing this through the addition of chapters in other cities within Texas. Our hope and goal are to open a chapter outside of Texas in the next 3-5 years. If you know of anyone interested in starting a chapter, please let us know.

Our newly formed Austin Chapter will select their first STARs this fall in partnership with our new University Partner, Texas State University in San Marcos, Texas.

I’m elated to also announce the start-up of our EWL Houston Chapter. Houston just received their 501c3 nonprofit status. The Houston Chapter is partnering with Texas Woman’s University in Houston and will select their first STARs in 2023.

It's a blessing to work with such amazing women who are giving back to help other women reinvent their lives and find their success. This work is truly rewarding and impactful.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank Texas Woman’s University for paying it forward by helping TXST to establish their STAR Program. We are proud to have both universities as EWL partners!

Author: Carolyn Bondy

Founder's Message

This is a great opportunity to thank everyone for their contributions so far this year and to update you on our continued growth and impact.

First, let me share some STAR feedback about the impact EWL is having on their lives.

Our newly formed Austin Chapter will select their first STARs this fall in partnership with our new University Partner, Texas State University in San Marcos, Texas.

It's a blessing to work with such amazing women who are giving back to help other women reinvent their lives and find their success. This work is truly rewarding and impactful.

Author: Carolyn Bondy

Houston Chapter & STAR Spotlight

EWL is growing and our Houston Chapter is now an official EWL Chapter!

The Houston Chapter was organically grown from within the EWL family. Lorilei Raymond, an EWL STAR Alum, has been a part of the EWL program since January 2020. Lorilei was pursuing a degree at Texas Woman’s University in Early Childhood Development when she was chosen to be a STAR. At the time she was a single mom with a toddler of her own. EWL not only gave her financial security but also community and mentorship in the professional world. She is now working to receive her Occupational Therapy graduate degree at TWU Houston.

Savannah Brown, Lorilei’s sister, witnessed firsthand how important EWL is to women starting college later in life. Savannah could see the confidence and empowerment impact EWL made in Lorilei’s life. EWL Houston was born from Savannah’s passion to help other women in the Houston area.

EWL Houston is still looking for motivated board members, particularly for the position of Director of STAR Scholarship Program. Please reach out to Savannah Brown at Raymond.savannah@gmail.com if you are interested in serving on the board of the Houston chapter or if you would like to make a donation.

We can’t wait to start helping women achieve their dreams in Houston!

Austin Chapter

EWL Austin is gearing up to launch the STAR Scholarship Program this fall. We are proud to offer the EWL special gift of mentoring, scholarship and networking to women in the Austin area.

Over the past few months, we have been working with Texas State University to implement the EWL STAR Selection Process. STAR selection will begin in August and our first STARs will be selected by December.

In Q4, we will also be launching the STAR Mentoring Program. The pairing of STARs and Mentors will take place between late December and early January. If you are interested in being in the Austin Mentoring Pool, please send an email to Hema Chugh at Hema.Chugh@ewlusa.org

Additionally, the Austin Chapter held it’s first fundraising event, partnering with famous jewelry company Kendra Scott! Women spent the evening shopping for a good cause, mingling with other women in the community, and hearing from our founder, Carolyn Bondy. Kendra Scott donated 20% of purchases and graciously hosted the event for EWL. The first of many partnerships and fundraising events to come!

We want to thank our sponsors and members for their contributions to our scholarship fund. Many thanks to each of you:

Sponsors – Silver, Solomon Page, Bronze, Tokyo Electrons and Champion, Seely Real Estate

Members - Elizabeth Tiller, Diana Bustardo, Rupal Patel, Rachel Lee, Dinna Eskin, Pat Dolen, and Maryellen Holbrook

As we enter the second half of the year, closer to choosing our STAR scholarship recipients and continuing to foster our relationship with Texas State University, we can't wait to see what the future holds for our Austin chapter.