The workshop opened with a reading of this quote from Asma Khader, a Jordanian human rights advocate:

One woman can make a difference. I am not sure whether I am a leader, but I know that becoming one means that you perceive the urgent need to address a problem -- that you feel the need to fill a space by initiating activities, campaigns, and programs to focus on specific issues. If people in your community truly believe that you are fulfilling a need, then they will support you, bestowing upon you the position of leadership. When people trust you, they will look to you to help them reach their own goals.

Workshop topics and activities were resume-writing techniques, academic and community resources to develop career and personal success, a dressing-for-success overview, the importance of self-esteem, leadership assessments and video presentations.

"Our young refugee women are often faced with living between two worlds, the traditional lifestyle of their home country and their new way of life in the U.S. This program provided leadership training and skill development to encourage involvement not only within the Bhutanese community, but within their neighborhoods, schools and churches," says Akers.

The program ended with a special guest presenter, Dr. Mithal Abd Ali, a biochemist from Iraq who has done cancer research. She discussed how education not only helped her gain self-confidence, but also gave her the foundation for a successful career. Dr. Abd Ali encouraged the attendees to recognize that they can use their hardships as a source of motivation. She challenged the young women to create a community group to embrace and empower other females within their community.

At the closing ceremony, certificates of participation and gift bags were given out to the attendees.

Activist Asma Khader said it best: "One woman can make a difference."