iPrep is Shaping the Women of Tomorrow

By Denisse Carranza, Senior

Women of Tomorrow (WOT) was started by Jennifer Valoppi, multi-Emmy Award winning TV journalist and award winning author.. As a college student studying the Psychology of Women, Jennifer discovered that women tend to agree with the belief that they are inferior to men. She also found that women who make it to top don’t help other women along. With this new discovery, she decided to create a program in which highly accomplished women would reach out to at-risk girls.

I have been a part of the WOT club since my sophomore year at iPrep. Throughout my freshmen year, I faced several hardships at home and in school. In order to steer me back in the right direction, Ms. Pedroso, our school counselor, offered me a spot in the club. As a WOT mentee, I have met many inspiring women and attended field trips that have encouraged me to become a better person and student.

In honor of Women’s History month, I sat down with Ms. Pedroso to discuss the impact WOT has had on the students involved.

• How did you learn about the WOT program? Why did you decide to bring it into iPrep?
  • In my first year working at iPrep, I was informed by the district about the new program they wanted to implement in schools. Women of Tomorrow was only a nonprofit program at the time, but they want to bring mentors into public schools. I was really interested and thought it was a great idea to have it at our school.

 

• How can someone join? How are members chosen?
  • Students are selected based on recommendations from the teachers. Sometimes there are girls that need an extra push to come out of their shells.

 

• How do you feel WOT impacts the girls involved?
  • Despite our small school size, it can be difficult to reach out to all students. With the additional mentoring, the members are able to blossom and become more confident. The environment encourages students to be who they are and express themselves.

 

• What has been your most memorable moment with the program or the members?
  • The graduation luncheon is always a special event. At the luncheon, they announce the WOT scholarship winners from every school. During the 2012-2013 school year, I was able to witness one of our students receive it.

Work Cited:
“The Story Behind Women of Tomorrow” https://womenoftomorrow.org/about-us/

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