Today we’d like to introduce you to Vicki Tate.
Hi Vicki, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
The Alliance of Women Executives (AWE) began with an idea to form a non-traditional networking group with a philanthropic mission. I invited several women to my house, discussed this idea and 4 hours later AWE was born.
AWE is a member-based woman-owned nonprofit founded in 2016 in Palm Beach County. With a current membership of 41, AWE provides a platform to bring women together to share experiences and knowledge while at the same time giving back to young women through academic scholarships.
Our sole philanthropic mission is to provide scholarships to young women graduating from Palm Beach County high schools who are pursuing higher education at Florida Atlantic University, Lynn University, and Palm Beach State College (all located in Boca Raton), or Palm Beach Atlantic University (located in West Palm Beach).
From the outset, our goal has been to provide multiyear scholarships. Over 90% of our past recipients come from underserved communities and have faced significant challenges including poverty, homelessness, food insecurity, abduction, involvement in the foster care system as well as experiencing neglect and abuse.
Despite these adversities, these students share a common trait; acceptance to the above-mentioned colleges coupled with a lack of adequate financial support. Our objective is to assist the next generation of leaders. AWE’s success is measured by various metrics including the number of students reached, schools represented, first-generation college students, scholarships awarded, and graduation rates.
Each year we have surpassed the previous year’s achievements; in 2023 we received over 65 applications from 28 high schools and awarded 24 scholarships to young women representing 21 high schools, including 14 first-generation college students. To date, we have granted 103 scholarships with 45 of those going to first-generation college students; we’re excited to announce that we are offering 25 scholarships to the Class of 2024 honored will be honored at an awards dinner on May 7th at Wellington National Golf Club.
All members of the community are invited to attend, it is a perfect opportunity to meet the scholarship recipients, meet the members of AWE, and network with professionals. Tickets may be purchased at https://www.aweinc.org/7th-annual-scholarship-awards-dinner. Our level of success stems from the support of numerous individuals, foundations, and businesses who share our mission and have generously contributed to our cause.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
We’ve encountered challenges in securing funds for multiyear scholarships. The rising cost of higher education has placed it out of reach for numerous students, particularly those from underserved communities. We believe that socioeconomic status should not determine if or where you receive higher education. We strongly believe that alleviating financial burdens leads to improved student performance.
We continuously apply for grants and extend invitations to businesses, foundations, and individuals as well as alumni from the above-mentioned schools to partner with us. Fortunately, the significance of educating young women has never been questioned.
As you know, we’re big fans of the Alliance of Women Executives, Inc. (AWE). For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
We are an unwaveringly dedicated group of volunteers committed to advocating for our students. What sets us apart is our exclusive focus on Palm Beach County. Our students graduate from Palm Beach County high schools and pursue their higher education at Florida Atlantic University and Lynn University both located in Boca Raton, Palm Beach State College with multiple campuses and Palm Beach Atlantic University located in West Palm Beach.
We extend an invitation to the community, particularly alumni of these institutions, to reflect on their college experiences and join us in supporting these students. As mentioned, we are a member-based organization with members in Palm Beach County, Broward County, North Carolina, and Pennsylvania; we welcome individuals
nationwide to join us.
Our monthly networking group stands out from the rest, after brief introductions participants engage in focused discussions led by AWE board members on various business topics. Our goal is for every attendee to depart with valuable insights. For our local members, we arrange monthly networking lunches that rotate between Delray Beach and West Palm Beach providing additional opportunities for meaningful connections.
We take pride in being recognized as a small nonprofit making a significant impact. Our efforts have been acknowledged with Florida’s Children First “Advocates for Children” award and we’ve garnered nominations for the best (small) nonprofit from multiple organizations.
Are there any important lessons you’ve learned that you can share with us?
Along our journey, we’ve gained valuable lessons with the foremost being perseverance. Initially, we faced hurdles in introducing AWE to the community amidst the overwhelming presence of over many thousands nonprofits in Palm Beach County. Nonetheless, through unwavering dedication, we’ve earned the respect and support of the community.
Students should not be judged on their zip code or financial situation. We cannot presume to understand the complexities of our student’s lives, each student has their own challenges and triumphs. We’ve witnessed the remarkable resilience of our students, and given the opportunity coupled with their determination and strength, we witness them succeed.
These lessons are essential for supporting the advancement of these students, it is our collective responsibility as a community to offer assistance to our students, they represent our future.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.aweinc.org
