Eversource Energy Provides 250 Scholarships to Train Under-Resourced Women in Connecticut & Massachusetts with Girls With Impact's Business Training
STAMFORD, Conn., September 28, 2021 – Girls With Impact – the nation’s only online business and leadership program just for young women – today announced that Eversource, New England’s largest energy company, will fund 250 scholarships for under-resourced young women in Connecticut and Massachusetts.
The investment means that 250 young women, ages 14-21, from low-to-moderate income families will be able to join Girls With Impact’s powerful 10-week mini-MBA designed program with leaders from Harvard Business School, providing them critical career and leadership skills required for their success.
“Thanks to Eversource’s investment, Girls With Impact has expanded during the tough pandemic period, allowing us to serve more families – 6,000 in the last year with over 70% of color -- who would otherwise never be able to afford such a program,” said CEO Jennifer Openshaw. “But there’s more work to be done.”
Women like Deejana Garriques of Hartford will be trained in business fundamentals and graduate with a business plan and venture pitch in hand.
A student at Manchester Community College, Garriques, now 20, said “My Girls With Impact training gave me leadership skills I can use in any area. It helped me open up around other people.” She credits the program with helping her to get into college and “get the confidence to pursue my passions.”
“Investing in our community means safe, reliable and affordable energy and much more,” said Eversource President of Corporate Citizenship and Equity, Theresa Hopkins-Staten. “It’s about making the impossible, possible; it’s about equity and providing economic opportunities that position our families and communities to thrive. That’s why our partnership with Girls With Impact – now four years old – is so important and powerful.”
Starting this month, the Eversource-Girls With Impact full scholarships are available throughout the two states to families with household incomes under $60,000. Families may register their daughters directly at www.girlswithimpact.org using the code: EVERSOURCE-FRPL.
Eversource’s investment is valued at nearly $225,000.
Girls With Impact will also bring the program through local schools and organizations, with a focus on under resourced and under-served communities.
Program graduates report greater confidence (85%), college readiness (93%), improved public speaking (91%), and better money management (74%). Over 50% of projects feature STEM elements.
“The energy industry is one that calls for greater diversity and talent, especially as we increase our focus on sustainability,” said Eversource Vice President of Customer Operations Jessica Cain, who serves on the Girls With Impact Board. “GenZ is one generation that is placing their environment as a top priority.”
Integrating women into different sectors of the energy value chain “unlocks productivity, return on investment, and customer satisfaction,” according to the U.S. AID.
Women hold just 32% of jobs in renewables and only 22% jobs in the oil and gas sectors, and 45% of those jobs are administrative in nature, according to a recent IRENA study.
Named by Ceres as #1 in the nation for energy efficiency, Eversource serves four million customers in Connecticut, Massachusetts and New Hampshire.
Girls With Impact operates the nation’s only online entrepreneurship program just for girls and young women, delivered live from the home or road. The after-school, extra-curricular program drives exceptional results in confidence, empowerment, college prep and career readiness, including STEM areas. Apply at www.girlswithimpact.org.
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“At first, I had a lot of fear about talking, but there were so many other girls with other passions that it motivated me. I’ll use these skills throughout my life.” Deejana “DeeDee” Garriques, 20
Contact:
For Girls With Impact:
sara.segall@girlswithimpact.com
203-900-4745
For Eversource:
Tricia.modifica@eversource.com
(860) 665-4605