Get to Know Us

Guided by the belief that every life holds equal value, Women Walking West (W3), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, is dedicated to helping foreign-born women lead successful and fulfilling lives. Women who come to the United States in pursuit of education often face greater challenges than their male counterparts—particularly those from underdeveloped countries—due to cultural, linguistic, academic, and systemic barriers. W3’s philosophy is simple: every woman deserves access to the opportunities necessary to thrive in school and beyond.

To bridge these gaps, W3 provides targeted, individualized support to international female learners. By identifying each learners’ unique challenges, connecting them with appropriate resources and partners, and offering consistent one-on-one guidance, W3 ensures that no student is left to navigate these obstacles alone. This hands-on, follow-through approach empowers women to stay on track and reach their educational goals.

How we support our mentees

Women Walking West (W3) relies significantly on the dedication and expertise of its volunteer mentors. These individuals are carefully selected based on their educational backgrounds and professional experience in academic or industry settings. The approval process for new mentors is thorough, ensuring each candidate demonstrates both subject-matter expertise and a strong alignment with W3’s core values of integrity, commitment, and empowerment.

Below are the key services offered by Women Walking West:

  • Mentorship: is the heart of W3’s mission. Our mentors—comprising seasoned faculty members and professionals across diverse disciplines—work closely with women on a long-term basis. They offer continuous support, monitor progress, and help mentees navigate academic, personal, and professional challenges until they achieve their goals or no longer require assistance.
  • Career Advising: Women seeking direction in their academic or professional paths are paired with qualified mentors who provide personalized career advising. These mentors often include experienced professionals, retired faculty, or current educators from secondary and post-secondary institutions. Their role is to help mentees explore and select appropriate college majors and career paths aligned with their strengths and aspirations.
  • Financial Assistance: W3 provides partial financial support through scholarships and cash awards. Scholarships are limited to tuition and academic fees, while cash awards may be applied to a broader range of educational needs. Interested applicants must complete an online application. All submissions are reviewed by W3’s dedicated selection committee, which evaluates each request based on predefined criteria before notifying the selected recipients.

Programs offered by W3 

Every year, W3 offers programming and events to engage our mentees and build community, along with the W3 community as a whole. Examples of these programs and events include: