I’ll never forget what happened at my first job out of college.
I was a copywriter for a major retailer, writing print ads and press releases, along with Tom, the other copywriter.
Tom and I had the same education, responsibilities and experience. Then one day I discovered that although our jobs were equal, Tom was paid more than me. I asked our boss why. His response: “Oh, Terri honey, you are single and live at home. Tom is married and has a baby.”
Terri Honey soon found another copywriting job where I earned more money and was treated as an equal staff member.
Unfortunately, stories like mine are still happening today. That’s why women entering or trying to advance in the business world can learn a lot through the Women’s Rising Leadership Academy, offered through the Brea Chamber of Commerce, of which I am a member.
According to Brea Chamber President and CEO Lacy Schoen, it all started at Cal State Fullerton in 2015 in its College of Business and Economics, where the CSUF Women’s Leadership Program began. Schoen was invited to sit on the university’s programs board and later became a paid consultant for the program.
Schoen proposed refinements to the program for working women that would center on workshops on overcoming barriers. It would be offered through the Brea chamber.
The Women Rising Leadership Academy was approved by the chamber’s board of directors and in 2022, in partnership with CSUF, was launched.
WRLA consists of eight intensive 3-hour workshops, including women’s workplace issues, executive women’s insights on overcoming obstacles to leadership, developing executive presence, salary negotiations, increasing your influence, communicating with men, the unwritten rules of workplace success and learning lessons from academy grads. The instructors are women executives dedicated to helping other women succeed in business, said Schoen.
In addition, participants have access to five one-on-one coaching sessions, a follow-up support group of WRLA grads and access to local professional job opportunities. So far, there are 250 WRLA grads.
Participants must be able to attend at least seven sessions, be able to make a commitment to their personal growth, and be able to apply what they learn.
The number of participants varies; the last session had 130 per workshop. The academy is open to women of all ages.
“Most women are in their mid-careers, so 35 to 55,” said Schoen, “however we have participants each year as young as 20 and as mature as 67.”
The next session begins in September. The last day to apply is Aug. 15.
A $50 deposit is required when applying, but returned if you are not accepted.
OK, the important part – the cost. Tuition is $1,000, but the first 80 applicants each receive a $703 WRLA Scholarship provided by the program sponsors. Those 80 women, if accepted for the program, will pay their $50 deposit plus $31 per month for 8 months.
Women applying after the 80 scholarships are awarded have to pay the $1,000 fee. If you are really interested in being in the program, apply now. Go to womenrisingleadershipacademy.com for the application link. Brea chamber membership is not required.
The program has 18 sponsors, including the County of Orange, John Wayne Airport, Chapman University’s Argyros College of Business & Economics, Chevron, the Orange Chamber of Commerce and Amazon, to name a few.
The WRLA graduates I’ve spoken with said they are more confident in their ability to compete and rise in the business world.
“The opportunity to engage with accomplished facilitators and network with a community of inspiring, ambitious women was truly invaluable,” said graduate Lea Veakrakmann.
Terri Daxon is a freelance writer and the owner of Daxon Marketing Communications. She gives her perspective on Brea issues twice a month. Contact her at daxoncomm@gmail.com.