A few words
About Us
History
Our story started way back, when a young girl was in search of her ‘why’.
About the Founder
I was born an only child to a single mother in Liberia. We came to the United States when I was 6; after going through a civil war in Liberia. For most of my childhood my mother worked multiple jobs to try to make sure we would survive. I spent a lot of time by myself and because my mom was trying to make sure we survived.
Like most teenagers I struggled with self esteem, trying to figure out who I was and what I wanted to do with my life. Because my mom didn’t go to college, I was afraid that I did not have the skills, resources or ability to go.
As I grew up I overcame my fear and decided to attempt to take the steps that would help me to obtain an education and be in a better position in life. At the age of 25 I was able to graduate from pharmacy school.
Amy Kelleh (PharmD)
Why EmpowHer?
Once I settled into my career I wanted to do something to give back to society as a way of showing my gratitude for being able to achieve what I have.
Especially after being able to flee the worn-torn country of Liberia and overcome a lot of challenges once my mom and I got here. I recognized that there were many young girls like me, parents to West African immigrants who were doing their best to make sure they could make a better life for their children. I thought about how much guidance I could have used when I was younger.
That would have made some difference encountering growing up in America. So, I thought I could offer this difference to children of parents who did not have the tools or time to guide them.
Our Objectives
The objectives of my project, Little Women Empowerment Day, is to have a day of mentorship for teenaged Liberian and West African girls aged 12 to 17. On that day, they are able to get exposure in different areas including: dining etiquette, college life, friendship, hygiene, money management and non-traditional career paths.
The most special part of this project is that the facilitators of the different aspects of the workshop grew up in similar circumstances as the girls we are hosting. With this in mind the girls are able to envision their future and start to develop tools that will help them become successful and responsible young women.