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Dear EWI community,

We are thrilled to share the EWI Legacy Stories project results, a series of 10 interviews with the women who shaped EWI over the past two decades. These interviews are powerful stories of resilience, courage, and sisterhood.

From our earliest days as a small community of new immigrant women to our current status as a program that serves over 950 women a year, EWI has always been guided by the stories of the women we serve. Join us as we celebrate the women who shape EWI's past, present, and future.

Do you have a story about your experience with EWI that you'd like to share?

Reply to this email and let us know! We'd love to hear from you.
Episode #1: Alexandra Boycheck
Romanian native Alexandra first joined EWI a decade ago and has a unique experience working in almost every aspect of the program. Alex started her journey as a volunteer to later become an intern and a student and currently leads the EWI program at LEDC.

Learn more about Alexandra's initial experience immigrating to the US, her accomplishments with EWI, and her hopes for the program's future.

"I know that people don't want charity. People want to be able to help themselves. And I believe EWI and LEDC give people the skills they need and the access they want to help themselves."

"I came to the US. I didn't know anybody. I have no relatives here. I never had any support system. But when I did this training at EWI, I found this fantastic mix of learning things that will help you in the future, and all around you are these amazing women."
Episode #4: EWI Founder Marga Fripp
Marga Fripp is a Romanian American humanitarian, entrepreneur, artist, and holistic well-being coach who founded and grew two non-profits, including EWI.

Marga started EWI after immigrating to the US and meeting other immigrant women with facing similar challenges and frustrations. She served as CEO for 14 years.
"I'm very proud of the people of EWI. I'm grateful that we continue the work that we do and see how the EWI community is blooming and blossoming in so many ways." - Marga Fripp
Episode #5: Ann Stone
Women's empowerment activist Ann Stone co-founded the National Women's History Museum and has founded and worked on the boards of several other civil rights organizations. She was the second member of EWI and the first chair of the board.

"EWI provides a real service. They don't treat immigrants or individuals as a mass block. They really do look at individuals - really spend time to figure out what it is that's going to advance that person."

"My closest friends from moving here and being here are still in some way either directly EWI or one step removed from EWI."

"EWI is a place where you can be part of a broader community. Where you can get the resources and support to develop your own business. And it's a space where you can find your niche and find others who are similar."
Episode #8: Sharmila Karamchandani
Sharmila Karamchandani is a graphic designer, art educator, and entrepreneur coach. She is an EWI alumna and has been an ETS lead trainer for over a decade.

An entrepreneur herself, she is the founder of Khush Designs and teaches graphic design in college.
“I have a lot of gratitude for EWI. I want to take this opportunity to thank EWI and Marga Fripp, and all the other women I have met through this organization. I have a sister tribe that has formed and all of them have come to me through EWI. I hope people will hear the weight in my voice when I say thank you.” 

"Food in the States is a totally different story...It's very strict. It was very hard, but I wanted to do it for others. After that, EWI had people in food."

"The motivation has come from being in the program and being surrounded by so many wonderful women. All of the students, as well as the mentors and trainers, have this idea of helping other women."
Empowered Women International (EWI) is a program of the Latino Economic Development Center. Our mission is to provide entrepreneurship training, mentoring, market access, and support services to help talented and high-potential women monetize their creative or cultural assets, artistic abilities, knowledge, and skills, and become change-makers in their families, communities, and the world for immigrant, refugee, low-income, and at-risk women in the Greater Washington DC Metro Area.
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