Together, we are empowering the next generation of female leaders. Junhee Bae, a first-generation college student, was able to become a UNLV Nursing Graduate and is serving on the frontlines as a UMC nurse through the support of UWSN’s Women United. Read our interview with Junhee below as she describes her journey to achieving her dreams.
How did you feel when you received the Emerging Leadership Award for Women Scholarship?
“As a first-generation college student, it was hard to find someone to rely on; I didn’t have that separate bank account for my college funds like some of my friends. I only had what I saved up by working part-time jobs while I was in high school. I applied for various scholarships to help cover college costs so that I could apply for nursing school. One of the scholarships was the United Way of Southern Nevada Women United Emerging Leadership Award for Women (ELAW). After applying, I recall opening the email that told me I had been selected and being overtaken in a moment of pure joy. It meant the world to me. The idea of having financial support from people that believe in you is mind-blowing to me. I cannot express how thankful and honored that I am a recipient of the Emerging Leadership Award for Women Scholarship.”
What are your plans for the future?
“Thanks to the support of UWSN’s Women United, I am closer to achieving my dream of providing care to our community. I graduated in December 2020 with a degree in Nursing from the University of Nevada Las Vegas and passed my license board exam in January 2021. I accepted a job offer from University Medical Center and am training to be a nurse in the intensive care unit. As I gain the experience as a nurse at UMC, I plan to go back to school to become a professor to give back by training future nurses.”
What has having the support of Women United meant to you?
“Throughout my journey at UNLV, I was confident knowing that I had a strong group of women supporting my college career. I knew if I ever needed help, there would be someone who knew how to guide me in the right direction. I am so grateful for the interest and investment shown in my education and beyond.”
How would you describe Women United in one word?
“If there was one word for describing Women United, it would be “encouragement.” For every single event that I could attend with UWSN’s Women United, the room was filled with encouragement, and everyone was so genuinely happy for one another’s success. I am honored to be a member of Women United.”
Through the Emerging Leadership Award for Women, UWSN’s Women United has helped nine women pursue a college degree and achieve their goals. “The Emerging Leadership Award for Women was developed as a way to ‘replace ourselves’ and to support and nurture future community leaders,” shared Judy Kropid, a founding member of Women United. You can support future women leaders by joining UWSN’s Women United at uwsn.org/womenunited.