Meet the New Portuguese American Women’s Empowerment Alliance

portuguese american women empowerment alliance - pawae - palcus

The Portuguese American Leadership Council of the US (PALCUS) is launching a new women’s empowerment initiative! And it is all about women empowering women. Coming together to share experiences, promote and inspire towards achievement and development! Spearheaded by three Portuguese-American women with a vision to build a global network of like-minded women with ties to Portugal and the US, the Portuguese American Women’s Empowerment Alliance, PAWEA will launch on October 16th at 9 am PT / 12 pm ET during PALCUS’s Virtual National Conference. Read on to find out how to register and learn more about why you should join PAWEA!

portuguese american women's empowerment alliance logo pawea

The Mission of PALCUS

Behind the PAWEA is PALCUS, a non-partisan, non-profit organization founded in 1991 by a group of successful, forward-thinking Portuguese-Americans. The purpose was to provide a singular national voice. A voice that advocates for and promotes the advancement of the Portuguese-American community economically, professionally, culturally, and politically. A voice that through PAWEA can focus on the specific needs of Portuguese American women.

The Story Behind PAWEA

Now in its 28th year, PALCUS has been true to its founding principles and much more. So when Janet Morais, founder of the luxury decor brand KOKET and lifestyle and women empowerment magazine Love Happens, told her long-time friend Angela Costa Simões, Chair of the Board of Directors of PALCUS, about her desire to empower young women to reach their full potential, ideas began swirling. Angela knew the perfect addition for their team, Carolina Rendeiro, Chief Executive Officer at Connect2Global and Honorary Consul of Portugal – Miami. And thus the three Portuguese-American women joined forces and the PAWEA was born.

Portuguese American Women Empowerment Alliance - PALCUS - R-L: Angela Simões, Janet Morais, Carolina Rendeiro
R-L: Angela Simões, Janet Morais, Carolina Rendeiro

PAWEA Launch at the PALCUS Virtual National Conference

Janet Morais will launch PAWEA at the upcoming conference with the opening remarks. Carolina will then moderate a discussion on Portuguese women empowering each other. In addition, best-selling author Jessica Lieter and a number of other empowering female voices will also join the virtual event.

Want to attend? Register here! The conference starts on October 12th, PAWEA will launch October 16th at 9 am PT / 12 pm ET.

Why Join PAWEA?!

If you are a woman of Portuguese descent or with ties to Portugal (by marriage, family, life experience, etc.) and you are looking for a group of amazing women to connect with, then membership with PAWEA is for you!

The alliance will offer two levels of membership, Student & Professional. Each member will be listed (as professional or student) and will be introduced to the other members at their level, digitally, by the organization. Thus providing access to people who they can connect with and gain exposure through. The organization will actively promote its members through newsletters/blog posts when they join and when they share their achievements (e.g. graduation, promotion, and achievements). Members will also have first access to job postings, vacancies, internships, mentorships from other members and industry experts, access to the annual conference, and to private events and networking.

Want to join? Email paewalliance@gmail.com.