Impact and Accomplishments
Each year EWI works to help more than 200 low-income, artistically-talented immigrant women make two critical transitions:
1. From unemployed and low-income situation to jobs, self-sufficiency and entrepreneurship
2. From personal, social and cultural isolation to community and civic participation
Through EWI’s programs, these women gain life-long business, entrepreneurial and leadership skills in addition to hands-on work experience that enables their entry into the workforce in a variety of jobs from services, to art education, community and non-profit management, among many others.
70 percent report they taught art in schools, volunteered in educational and community organizations or partnered with EWI to sell and promote immigrant women artists. 80 percent report they increased their income, changed jobs for better positions and/or enrolled in college and other educational programs. Many have gone on to exhibit, perform and sell their creative works in upscale private galleries, shops and arts centers including: The Smithsonian, The World Bank, The Torpedo Factory Arts Center, The Kennedy Center, the Strathmore Center and various embassies in Washington, DC.
In a very short period of time, EWI became recognized as a beacon for immigrant women developing careers and businesses in the arts and creative industries. In 2008, EWI received the Enterprise Award by the Catalogue for Philanthropy after being featured as “one of the best small nonprofits in the Washington DC region” by the same organization.
EWI gained recognition through media articles in the Alexandria Times, the Washington Post, The Northern Virginia Magazine, and appearances on News Channel 8, and the international television Voice of America. The Virginia House and Senate honored EWI with a Commendation for outstanding achievements in the community, and for promoting the arts and cultures of immigrant and refugee women artists.
