We are PowHERful.

In our last post, we presented four inspiring women of color who surmounted barriers to make essential contributions to science and technology. Introduced by PowHERful ambassador Deshawna Henry at a recent presentation, these women have reason to be better known. Here, we introduce four more: Mary Beatrice Kenner, Isabella Aiona Abbott, Dr. Patricia Bath, and Christine Darden.

Behind the scenes, brave women of color work to improve life for those around them. This has been true throughout history, as power structures have long created barriers to opportunities for women—especially women of color. At a recent conference of leaders and educators, PowHERful ambassador Deshawna Henry inspired her audience by featuring examples of women of color who, in the face of these barriers, have made unique contributions in STEM fields.

Happy New Year to all our PowHERful friends! We’re bursting with gratitude for all our supporters helped us achieve this past year. With so much to celebrate and so many to honor, we’re recapping here the journeys of PowHERful scholars and mentors that we’ve shared over the past year. May the passion, creativity, and resilience embodied here inspire us to all we can make possible in 2024!

Through resilience, unexpected twists and ceaseless determination, Dr. Patsy McNeil is living an extraordinary odyssey. From childhood dreams of unearthing dinosaur fossils to saving lives in the ER, from mission work among the poorest in Haiti to a pivotal role in healthcare, Dr. McNeil has fearlessly challenged conventions and fully embraced the unexpected. Now, with unwavering devotion, Dr. McNeil advocates for a more inclusive world—for diversity, empowerment, and the boundless potential of every young woman.

In our previous post we introduced Kim, Sheba, and Tassion and their PowHERful intergenerational mentorship. Kim Bondy, an award-winning journalist with years of success in senior management, has supported PowHERful Foundation since its inception. Sheba Turk, with the assistance of a PowHERful scholarship and Kim’s mentorship, completed her college degree and now works as a TV news anchor and reporter in Los Angeles. Tassion Minor, a recruiter for Stifel Financial Corp., got a solid start in her profession through the help of her mentor Sheba, and the support of Kim Bondy and PowHERful Foundation’s founder and on-going mentor Soledad O’Brien. Their story continues….