Houston, TX, July 31, 2019 – With the debut of a mini documentary, Women Empowering Nations (WEN) offers viewers an up-close look at the impact global exposure has on three African American teen girls. From June 28 - July 8, 2018, young women from Tulsa, Oklahoma and Houston, Texas embarked on an International journey, paired with mentors, that would prove to leave a lasting impact on their lives. The Girls Leading Our World (GLOW) Leadership Conference and Travel Seminar in The Netherlands and Ghana was designed to give teen girls international exposure, providing them with transformational leadership experiences, platforms for global development, and lifelong relationships beyond borders.

“The GLOW travel seminar and leadership conference has proven to motivate girls to become International change agents.” said Carlisha Williams, Executive Director of WEN. “This program works because young girls, regardless of socioeconomic status, have the common curiosity and desire to explore the world around them learning about global economics, public affairs, international education, gender equality and more. That’s why it’s essential that we continue to go beyond our borders and engage girls across the globe.”

As shown in the film, WEN traveled to Accra and Elmina, Ghana where a total of 70 Ghanaian and American female teenage leaders participated in an engaging week to explore social change, economic justice, women’s empowerment, and leadership. The young women also set out on a memorable historical tour visiting the famous forts and castles of the Central Region of Ghana– Elmina Castle, Cape Coast Castle, and the West African Historical Museum.

“If we don’t learn our history and we don’t go back to where we came from, then we won’t grow,” said Andrea Bob, GLOW Conference Participant. “If you want to see change, you have to be that change.”

Williams added, “One of the organization’s goals is to mold girls into citizens who value diversity, challenge bias, and have a passion for continual learning through experience. We know exposure expands expectations. The travel seminar, leadership conference and mentorship expands their perspective, self-efficacy, value of education, and their global view thus lighting a new path of potential outcomes for their life.”

WEN has hosted travel seminars to Senegal, Gambia, Morocco, The Netherlands, Tanzania, and Ghana in 2010, 2013, 2016, and 2018. In 2020, WEN will be expanding to South Africa. For more information on the 2020 travel seminar, click here.