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Woman of Empowerment Award 2026 Recipient: Carmen M. Chavez, Esq.

Woman of Empowerment Award 2026 Recipient: Carmen M. Chavez, Esq.

Aug 27, 2026 | Featured News/ Events

Congratulations to Carmen M. Chavez, Esq., our 2026 Woman of Empowerment Award Recipient!

Carmen M. Chavez, Esq. is a dedicated advocate for justice, immigrant rights, and human dignity, with more than 25 years of service ensuring that vulnerable communities have access to compassionate, expert legal representation.

A San Diego native and longtime resident of San Ysidro, Carmen brings both deep legal expertise and a personal connection to the communities Casa Cornelia Law Center and Women’s Empowerment International (WE) serve. She is a California-licensed attorney and graduate of Loyola Law School.

For her decades of compassionate leadership, commitment to civil and human rights, and unwavering dedication to creating a more just and inclusive community, Carmen M. Chavez is a most deserving recipient of this year’s Woman of Empowerment honor. Each year, the WE Board of Directors selects an exemplary and bold leader for this award, whose commitment to social justice, economic empowerment, and the advancement of women has been transformative and inspirational.

As Executive Director of Casa Cornelia Law Center, a nonprofit public interest law firm providing pro bono legal services for survivors of human and civil rights violations, Carmen leads a team of 34 staff members and a network of more than 400 volunteers. Her work ensures that immigrants seeking asylum, survivors of human trafficking and violent crimes, and unaccompanied children receive dignity, due process, and hope in their pursuit of justice. Many of the women and families who WE’s local grant partners work with belong to the same communities served by Casa Cornelia.

Carmen’s journey with Casa Cornelia has come full circle. She first volunteered with the organization as a student and went on to serve in numerous roles, including Equal Justice Works Fellow, Staff Attorney, Program Director, and Associate Director, before becoming Executive Director. Her legal expertise includes affirmative and defensive representation before U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, the Executive Office for Immigration Review, and the U.S. Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.

Beyond her legal practice, Carmen is a passionate mentor and educator. She has empowered attorneys, translators, and law students to use their skills in service of justice and regularly engages social workers, faith communities, students, legal professionals, and community stakeholders to deepen an understanding of immigration law and policy. Under her leadership, Casa Cornelia continues to provide not only legal representation, but also safety, stability, dignity, and renewed hope to those seeking justice.

Congratulations, Carmen! We look forward to presenting her with this award at our upcoming event, Empowered WE Rise, on Sunday, October 4. We hope you can join us there in celebrating her leadership and service!

National Volunteer Week 2026

National Volunteer Week 2026

May 26, 2026 | Featured News/ Events

Celebrating the Heart of Women’s Empowerment: Our Volunteers

This past April, Women’s Empowerment International proudly celebrated National Volunteer Week—a time to recognize the incredible individuals who generously give their time, talents, and passion to strengthen communities and help tackle some of the world’s greatest challenges.

At WE, volunteers are not simply supporters of our mission—they are the heart of it.

As a volunteer-driven organization, our impact is only possible because of the dedicated people who believe in the power of economic empowerment to help women work their way out of poverty. From board leadership and partner liaisons to committee members, giving circle leaders, event volunteers, and advocates, our volunteers help turn compassion into action.

A Community Creating Change

Every volunteer’s journey with WE is unique, but a shared belief unites them: when women have access to opportunity, training, and financial tools, entire families and communities thrive.

For longtime WE Board member José (Co-President), volunteering has been deeply meaningful because of the opportunity to witness impact firsthand. Our Board members play a vital role in guiding WE’s mission—helping keep us accountable, providing strategic leadership and advisory support, and serving as ambassadors for our work in the community. As a volunteer-driven organization, we truly could not operate without their dedication and commitment.

“When I first became involved, I wasn’t fully convinced that microfinance was an effective tool to fight poverty. But through site visits and seeing the women WE supports through our partners, I became convinced. WE is doing good work. WE is making a positive difference.”

For Meg, a longtime volunteer and Partner Liaison, working with local San Diego partners has reinforced just how complex—and important—economic empowerment can be. Partner Liaisons play a unique volunteer role at WE, serving as a direct connection between our organization and our grantee partners. They help maintain relationships, support progress reporting, facilitate communication, and stay closely connected to the programs and women our grants support. It’s one of the most meaningful ways volunteers can be directly involved in our mission.

Through WE’s partnerships with organizations like Dreams for Change and Urban Corps, Meg has seen firsthand how barriers like unreliable transportation can prevent women from accessing jobs and opportunities.

“I have been privileged to know these young women who, with deep commitment and self-determination, complete their educational goals, obtain driver’s licenses, and job certificates. It is truly an honor to be a WE Partner Liaison and watch firsthand how these remarkable young women achieve their goals, and I believe WE is helping develop contributing members to our community in the future.”

For Nancy, who leads WE’s Julian Giving Circle, volunteering is as much about community as it is impact. Giving Circles are a powerful way to magnify your impact by bringing together a community of people with a shared passion for women’s empowerment. By pooling resources, individuals can make a greater collective impact while building meaningful connections, learning about important issues related to poverty alleviation and economic opportunity, and directly supporting women working to create brighter futures for themselves and their families.

“Being part of a giving circle has shown me that giving is more powerful—and more meaningful—when it’s shared. Together, we can accomplish far more than any of us could alone.”

And for newer volunteers like Carla, getting involved has been an opportunity to use her professional skills in service of something meaningful. Carla currently serves on our Fall Fundraiser Committee, where volunteers work alongside Board members and staff to help bring WE’s largest annual event to life. From event planning and marketing to fundraising outreach and logistics, committees offer a meaningful way to contribute while building community—and making new friends along the way.

“The most meaningful part has been knowing that all the behind-the-scenes efforts are going toward something that truly makes an impact.”

Looking Ahead: Join Us for Our Fall Fundraiser

As we celebrate our incredible volunteer community, we’re also looking ahead to our largest event of the year—our annual Fall Fundraiser.

This signature event brings together supporters from across San Diego to raise critical funds for women’s economic empowerment programs locally and globally—and it takes a village to bring it to life.

We are currently seeking volunteers to support:

  • Fall Fundraiser planning committee participation 
  • Silent and live auction item procurement 
  • Sponsorship outreach 
  • Event logistics and planning support 
  • Day-of volunteer roles 

Whether you have a few hours to give or want to play a larger role, there’s a place for you.

Thank You

To every WE volunteer—past and present—thank you.

Thank you for your time, your energy, your belief in this mission, and your commitment to creating opportunity for women around the world.

Because of you, women are building businesses, supporting their families, and creating brighter futures.

Interested in getting involved? We’d love to hear from you. Get in touch HERE

Zoia | San Diego, CA

Zoia | San Diego, CA

Apr 14, 2026 | California, Featured News/ Events, Partner IRC, Women Stories

The Sweet Success of EnjoyFruitRolls

When Zoia and Konstantin arrived in the United States in January 2023 with their four children—two sets of twins—they were fleeing the war in their native Ukraine. Their journey was more than a relocation; they had lost everything familiar and now faced the challenges of a new country, a new language, and unfamiliar systems. Throughout these difficulties, they understood the importance of rebuilding stability, pursuing self-sufficiency, and upholding a family tradition rooted in love, health, and creativity.

As a devoted parent, Zoia was committed to providing their children with healthy, natural, nourishing snacks that were sugar-free and free of added preservatives. This dedication led her to make homemade fruit roll-ups from simple, whole ingredients. Soon, she wanted to share her creations with others, and this straightforward recipe, originally made for their children, became the foundation of her small business, EnjoyFruitRolls.

Zoia’s dedication to capturing the flavor and goodness of real fruit in every bite. She was offered an entrepreneurial opportunity in her new country, but the path ahead was uncertain. Building a food business in a new country meant navigating unfamiliar systems, regulations, and language barriers. By July 2024, Zoia had a clear vision of selling her fruit rolls at a local farmers’ market, but she did not know how to obtain the required permits or where to begin. She reached out to the IRC’s Small Business Development Center (IRC SBDC) in San Diego and was introduced to Small Business Development Counselor Hanna Rico. Zoia and the counselor collaborated to map out each step of the food business start-up process.

Through one-on-one technical assistance, the Small Business Development Advisor helped Zoia with business registration, licensing, and health compliance requirements. She identified training opportunities with the County of San Diego and helped Zoia schedule and attend the required training. Access to capital was another challenge Zoia faced. To address this, Zoia was among the 21 Ukrainian women who participated in the IRC WE STAR Program BWIA cohort in August 2024. After successfully completing the 5-week program, she received a $200 seed grant to cover her business registration and other startup costs. In September 2024, Zoia passed her home kitchen inspection and received a Class B Cottage Food Operations Permit from San Diego County, allowing her to start her EnjoyFruitRolls business. Committed to growing her business, Zoia continued to access IRC’s WE STAR one-on-one technical assistance and training sessions to support her expansion beyond the startup phase. Through one-on-one technical assistance, Zoia obtained trademark registration for her business name and planned a transition from a sole proprietorship to an S Corporation.

 By early 2025, EnjoyFruitRolls had grown into a thriving family business. Zoia and her husband, Konstantin, sold at multiple farmers’ markets across San Diego, and by April 2025, their gross sales had exceeded $20,000. Soon, Zoia’s fruit roll business became the family’s primary source of income, allowing Zoia and her husband to work full-time on the business to meet increasing demand. As sales continued to grow, the family began preparing to transition from a home kitchen to a commercial kitchen. In September 2025, with continued support from the IRC SBDC, Zoia qualified for a $20,000 loan to purchase commercial equipment and scale operations. In December 2025, Zoia reported gross sales revenue of $160,000 for 2025. As a next step, she is exploring government contracting opportunities to further expand the business once the commercial kitchen is fully established.  

Zoia said, “We are so grateful for programs like the IRC Small Business Program and the IRC BWIA Program in San Diego that support small businesses like ours. Even with very little English, we were able to obtain the necessary permits and access local markets. Step by step, we are building a business that supports our family and brings joy to others. Today, EnjoyFruitRolls is a proud local favorite and a reflection of steady progress from uncertainty to stability. Each batch is handcrafted in small quantities from fresh fruit using a slow, low-temperature process that preserves flavor and nutrients. With a strong foundation in place and clear plans for expansion, Zoia and Konstantin continue advancing their original mission, building a sustainable future for their family, and contributing to the local economy.” 

Empowerment Through Opportunity: How ESTIMA Is Transforming Lives in Tijuana

Empowerment Through Opportunity: How ESTIMA Is Transforming Lives in Tijuana

Mar 18, 2026 | Featured News/ Events, News

At Women’s Empowerment International, we believe that when women are given the tools, support, and opportunity to grow, entire communities are transformed. We are proud to support programs like ESTIMA, which was launched as a research project led by Dr. Elizabeth Reed and program implemented by Los Niños de Baja California, under the leadership of Elisa Sabatini, to test the effects of integrating microfinance with health education for women engaged in sex work in Tijuana. These women are particularly vulnerable to poverty, adverse health outcomes, and violence. Results from this study were recently published in Advances in Global Health. Participants reported increased financial stability, improved health behaviors, reduced substance use, and greater confidence in advocating for themselves. Just as importantly, the program created a safe, supportive environment where women could share their experiences, build trust, and uplift one another—something many had never experienced before due to stigma.

WE grants funded the microfinance and economic empowerment elements of this program and have enabled ESTIMA to continue running years after the research funding had ended.

Special thank you to Winifred Cox, WE Co-Founder and PR Maven, for her work drafting the news release below and reaching out to press, along with Dr. Reed and Elisa Sabatini.

RESEARCH FINDINGS
👉 Explore the full study here: https://online.ucpress.edu/agh/article/4/1/2481129/212500/A-qualitative-evaluation-of-a-gender-equity-and

PRESS
KPBS: https://www.kpbs.org/news/health/2026/03/11/microfinance-program-improves-health-and-stability-for-sex-workers-in-tijuana-sdsu-study-finds
👉 More to come… Stay tuned!

* NEWS RELEASE *

Microfinance combined with health information shows multiple benefits for female sex workers in Tijuana, Mexico

A three-year, university-led study suggests that integrating microfinance with health education promotes economic empowerment and reduces HIV-related risks among women engaging in sex work in Tijuana, Mexico.

The study is among the first to show that this economic empowerment model also helps participants reduce their drug and alcohol use and increase their savings.
The study, Empowerment of Sex Workers to Increase Economic and Social Mobility (ESTIMA), published in Advances in Global Health, was led by Elizabeth Reed, ScD, MPH, Professor of Global Health at San Diego State University, in collaboration with researchers at the University of California San Diego. The intervention was implemented by Los Niños de Baja California, a community development organization serving Tijuana and other border communities in Mexico, under the leadership of Executive Director Elisa Sabatini.

Female sex workers (FSW) participating in the study reported that ESTIMA increased their financial stability, self-appreciation, social support, recognition of their rights as women, and ability to negotiate decreased substance use and increased condom use with their clients.

Reed said, “Our findings from the ESTIMA program are incredibly encouraging. Women not only reported that they valued and enjoyed the intervention, but we also documented meaningful improvements across health, social, and economic outcomes. Perhaps most striking—even after the research funding ended—ESTIMA groups have continued for another eight years and have been managed for over a decade by Los Niños. This is a testament to the study’s real-world relevance and impact.”

Sabatini noted, “The women reported being valued and honored for their contributions in their groups. Truly the program honors the name ESTIMA—Spanish for self-esteem.”

Participants were recruited from Tijuana bars, brothels, hotels, and street venues. Aged eighteen or older, they reported having exchanged sex for money, drugs, shelter or goods within the previous 30 days. One hundred and twenty women were randomly assigned to either receive the intervention or a wait-list control group. Control participants were invited to join ESTIMA groups at the study’s conclusion.

Decreased HIV risk
Alcohol and drug use—often widespread within sex work venues—puts FSW at higher risk for HIV. The study noted, “Our findings highlighted several ways in which ESTIMA may have reduced risk for HIV, including reports of decreased substance use as well as improved condom negotiation with clients.”

Participants reported that improved financial security and greater awareness of their rights increased their ability to negotiate condom use and refuse client demands that heightened the women’s risk of violence.

Members reported “I feel more sure of myself… because I’ve learned a lot of things here about how to take care of myself.” And “It’s not like before, that, well everything was rough, violence, or things like that.”

The study included in-depth interviews with twenty-five participants to assess their program experiences, and how ESTIMA affected their lives. Interviewees were, on average, 37 years old with 2.4 dependent children. Sixty-six percent were single, 21 percent married, and 13 percent separated or divorced.

Importance of access to business loans and training
Because most Tijuana sex workers cannot get commercial business loans, funding from Women’s Empowerment International (WE), enabled the FSW to start or expand businesses such as selling handmade crafts and food, and reselling clothing and jewelry. WE has provided loan support since the program’s inception.
Each ESTIMA member received an initial $200 business or personal loan, which she repaid over four months during weekly group meetings. With each repayment, members became eligible for larger loans, capping at $1,000.

Meeting topics included budgets, savings, credit, investments, and business practices. Topics also included gender equity, and the connection between sex work and HIV, gender-based violence and substance use.

Impact of individual loans and small groups
Traditionally, microfinance participants meet in large groups and are collectively responsible for the group’s loan repayment. This model did not work for FSW participating in the pilot studies. But when the groups were downsized to five, and members became individually responsible for their loans, repayment rates went from 50% to 90%.

Poverty and economic vulnerability among Tijuana’s female sex workers
Launching this study in Tijuana–one of the busiest land border crossings in the world–captured the poverty commonly experienced by sex workers worldwide. Sex tourism from the US and Mexico flourishes in Tijuana’s red-light district, Zonas Rojas, where approximately 9,000 women practice quasi-legal prostitution.
Economic vulnerability stemming from inequitable access to education, employment, and child support, is a major factor contributing to women’s involvement in sex work. FSW are among Tijuana’s highest risk populations for HIV and report high rates of physical and sexual violence perpetrated by clients, police, and male partners.

Link to study: https://doi.org/10.1525/agh.2025.2481129
Contact Information:
Dr. Elizabeth Reed, Principal Investigator
Elisa Sabatini, Executive Director, Los Niños de Baja California | Los Niños is celebrating 50 years of work in the border region: www.losninosdebaja.org
Sarah Adams, Executive Director, Women’s Empowerment International (WE)  |  San Diego-based WE has awarded nearly $3 million in grants to microfinance, business development, financial literacy, and holistic empowerment projects in 10 countries: www.womenempowerment.org.
Media Contact: Winifred Cox

 
Tribute to Rosemary Straley

Tribute to Rosemary Straley

Jan 29, 2026 | Featured News/ Events

Tribute to Rosemary Straley

Rosemary Straley, wearing her "Voting is my super power" t-shirt

We are saddened to share the passing of Rosemary Straley, a visionary leader, advisor and inspiration to many, and dear supporter of Women’s Empowerment International. Rosemary’s life was defined by service, a passion for education and politics, and a deep commitment to lift up women into leadership roles, especially elected offices.

Rosemary’s accomplishments and purpose-driven life can hardly be summarized in a few paragraphs. This just begins to skim the surface of her incredible work and contributions.

Rosemary proudly earned degrees from Stanford and Harvard, served as a Peace Corps Volunteer, and became one of the first women to be a Peace Corps Country Director in Cameroon. Her career in international development and education planning took her to over 150 countries and included projects with UNESCO, World Bank, UNDP, UNICEF, USAID, and the U.S. Trade & Development Program.

Throughout her education and career, Rosemary often found herself as one of the first women to enter a program or hold a leadership role, and she became committed to lifting up women and opening opportunities for them to lead. She has led and supported well over 20 organizations in San Diego and nationwide, including co-founding a local organization, Run Women Run, that played a role in electing over 120 women to public office at every level of government. She led a local working group for the Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) to pass a countywide ordinance. She also served as a volunteer National Coordinator of the Hillary Rodham Clinton Support Network.

Rosemary was honored with WE’s first Woman of Empowerment award in 2018 for her dedication to achieving equity for girls and women and advancing women’s leadership.

Rosemary attributed her commitment to philanthropy and service to her parents, who also taught the power each person holds to inspire others to give. She also held a quote from President John F. Kennedy, who founded the Peace Corps, close to her heart: “One person can make a difference, and everyone should try.” She had this quote on a magnet on her refrigerator and was quoted as saying, “That’s what guides me every day.”

Rosemary, you will be deeply missed, but we carry on your legacy.

If you would like to share thoughts or stories of Rosemary, please email Sarah Adams, WE Executive Director, at SarahAdams@womenempowerment.org.

New Development Coordinator: Sophie Pauken

New Development Coordinator: Sophie Pauken

Jan 16, 2026 | Featured News/ Events, News

Welcome New Development Coordinator: Sophie Pauken

Sophie Pauken is an international development professional with five years of experience managing multi-million-dollar, USAID-funded programs across the Middle East, South Asia, and East Africa. Her work focuses on providing the operational backbone for complex global initiatives, including program implementation, compliance, finance, and contract administration, in support of sectors such as WASH and primary education.

Prior to joining WE, Sophie served as a Program Manager at Chemonics International within the East and Southern Africa Department, where she managed a $45 million USAID-funded WASH program in Ethiopia. In this role, she worked closely with donors, field teams, and partners to ensure strong operational performance and program delivery in complex environments.

Earlier in her career, Sophie worked at Winrock International as a Senior Associate on the Human Rights, Education, and Women’s Empowerment team. There, she supported programs focused on ending child labor and expanding access to primary education for girls across multiple country contexts. Her work required close coordination with field offices and international partners to support implementation in fragile and resource-constrained settings.

Sophie has lived and worked in Lebanon, Ethiopia, Morocco, Tunisia, and Bangladesh, experiences that continue to shape her commitment to serving underserved communities. She believes deeply that everyone deserves the right to a safe, dignified, and poverty-free life and brings this values-driven approach to her work at WE.

Sophie lives in San Diego, California, with her husband and their rescue puppy. Outside of work, she enjoys training for half marathons, triathlons, and HYROX races, spending time outdoors, and reading. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in International Studies, with a concentration in Arabic and Middle Eastern Studies, from Miami University.