Empowered Women International

“I learned an unbelievable amount about the non-profit world, art marketing, working with members one-one-one, managing people, multi-tasking, and program development. Being there with a new EWI member when she makes her first sale with us and sees that yes, she’s appreciated and yes, others recognize her talent –it’s very powerful.”

February 2011 — In just a very short amount of time, you will realize that Juliana Kerrest is very focused and goal-oriented. Within a few minutes of our conversation, she made mention of her ten year plan. Few people I’ve encountered have planned out their lives that far ahead, or have such a well defined vision for the future. But even at the age of 24, Juliana’s aspirations are worldly and filled with a great sense of purpose. She graduated with honors in August 2009 from John Hopkins University (JHU) in Baltimore, MD, where she designed her own interdisciplinary study major of Rights and Equality and double-minored in Anthropology and Gender Studies.

Shortly after graduating, Juliana began a search for a meaningful volunteer opportunity while simultaneously applying for employment. She discovered Empowered Women International (EWI) through the website VolunteerMatch.org, and after contacting them, began a transformational journey. What started out as a volunteer position two days a week in September 2009, quickly grew into a full-time commitment. Within a few months, Marga Fripp, EWI’s Executive Director and Founder, offered her a full-time position through AmeriCorps as Outreach Coordinator.

Her AmeriCorps year of service officially began in February 2010 and required her to wear many hats and juggle the countless responsibilities of a non-profit organization. Every day can be a challenge when a great deal of work has to be accomplished despite limited resources in terms of staff, funding, energy, and time. With just two people managing EWI on a daily basis, Juliana applied her organizational skills and immersed herself into an unlimited number of projects, initiatives, and activities.

While at EWI, Juliana has empowered women to reach beyond their comfort levels and to apply their talents in new ways, encouraging them to become more business-oriented and market their work. When asked what she might say to some of the new staff, interns or volunteers interested in working with EWI, she draws on her own experience. “EWI is a unique organization in many ways and I think that no matter how you become involved with us, that’s an important thing to treasure and appreciate. We intersect so many important topics – immigration, women’s issues, entrepreneurship, economic development, and the arts. We are also a small organization, which means that no matter how you’re working with us, you have the opportunity to see first-hand the effect that your time and efforts has in helping us to achieve our goals.”

Juliana has achieved a great deal in the past year and a half. This includes interfacing with beneficiaries to increase membership, developing EWI’s online store where artists can sell their work through Etsy.com (an online marketplace for handmade goods), coordinating and expanding the volunteer program, maintaining a database to track donations and sales, coordinating events and art displays, and was involved in redesigning EWI’s website and increasing their visibility through social networking sites.  In her first full-time position right out of college, Juliana was determined to make a difference. While employed with EWI, 50 volunteers and 3 interns were recruited, sales and donations doubled, and over 850 fans joined EWI on Facebook and Twitter.

Juliana feels that working with EWI has been invaluable for her on so many different levels, both professionally and personally. “I learned an unbelievable amount about the non-profit world, art marketing, working with members one-one-one, managing people, multi-tasking, and program development. It’s hard work and there is so much to do, but it is also extremely rewarding. Being there with a new member when she makes her first sale with us and sees that yes, she’s appreciated and yes, others recognize her talent – it’s very powerful. When talking about EWI’s impact, we emphasize the skills and knowledge that we pass on to our beneficiaries, but I always think it’s also important to tell people how much we learn from them every single day. There’s a reason we call it the ‘EWI family’ and I think it’s true, I think we are a family, a community of women, learning from one another and helping each other.”

Since a very early age, Juliana has always taken on a lot of responsibility.  She attributes this to her personality type and the need to feel accomplished and make a contribution to the world. “I’ve been very fortunate in my life in many ways and I feel that I have a responsibility and a duty to other people to use whatever gifts or talents or advantages I’ve been given to help others.”  She explains: “I suppose I just want to do my part and because there’s so much to do, I feel like there isn’t any time to waste. I’m not special in this regard; if anything, I feel like I could and should be doing more.”

One might wonder how Juliana could possibly be doing more when she dedicates her life to so many different causes.  She tirelessly gives back to the community, as evidenced by her volunteer work. She devotes time to pit bill rescue and currently fosters an adoring dog named Caramel; is a sexual assault crisis hotline volunteer and hospital companion; and is a presenter for the National Alliance on Mental Illness to raise awareness on and reduce the stigma of mental illness. She has been involved for six years with Soldiers’ Angels, an organization that supports military personnel and their families.

Juliana is also a talented artist and working with EWI has inspired her to continue to pursue her creative side. She attributes her newly found entrepreneur status to the marketing and business knowledge cultivated at EWI. She recently opened two of her own Shops on Etsy to sell her photography at EleventhMuse.Etsy.com and embroidery work at AthenasMusings.Etsy.com. Her images are poignant and engaging and her decorative stitch art is very detailed and one of a kind. Her naturally artsy side is portrayed in the unique outfits and intriguing accessories she wears.

As far as what the future holds, Juliana’s ten year plan includes a career in the international human rights field, continuing her education for an MA and possibly a law degree (JD), and eventually pursuing a PhD. She has lived abroad and spent part her childhood in France, interned in Niger, traveled to over 20 countries, and met people from many different countries and cultures. She would also like to work in other countries toward progressive change and learn more languages.  Her experiences and influences have helped her grow as a person, readily adapt to many different situations, and aspire her to be a forward and global thinker.

Juliana is not one to outwardly praise her capabilities; and is very modest about her achievements.  Undoubtedly, she is accomplished, highly intelligent, and wise beyond her years. She is an exemplary spokesperson for human rights and inspires those around her; however unintentionally and unobtrusively. She simply does what has always come natural to her, stays informed on issues and raises awareness about injustices that span the globe. I came away from the interview asking myself “Should I be doing more to contribute to this world, or can we all be doing more to make a difference?” In a world so incredibly full of self absorption, Juliana is deserving of admiration and respect. If one steps back and views the world from Juliana’s perspective, humanity truly has no boundaries.

Written by Paula Margus

Paula incorporates her professional career in quality assurance into many aspects of her life. She is continually identifying improvement opportunities with whatever she encounters. Paula enjoys working with immigrant artists to tell their stories and portray their work through writing and photography. She is very passionate about travel, learning about other cultures, cuisine, music, theatre, art, and animals. She currently resides in Falls Church, VA with two felines who take great pleasure in outsmarting her with their exceptional ingenuity.