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BUSINESS PROFILES | MAY 2023 | HARTFORD BUSINESS JOURNAL 19 W omen's Legacy – WoLe for short – started as a student organization founded by a pair of friends, Maman Cooper and Jessica Jaramillo, at the University of Connecticut in Storrs. They shared the common belief that all young women regardless of race, background and financial or social status need a space to share their stories in an environment and atmosphere that fosters braveness, courage, support and laughter. Women's Legacy started, the founders say, because we live in a society where people's value seems to lie in hiding the challenges, fears and the difficulties they face with their mental and emotional health. Indeed, Americans in general are valued for their resilience, and the ability to share one's emotion is sometimes frowned upon. After all, we as a society expect the only appropriate response to the question, "How are you doing?" should be a terse, "I am fine, thank you." The founders of Women's Legacy continue to challenge themselves and others to live out their beliefs in the importance of story sharing, and how its power can shift a person's perception and even life. "When people are gifted with the opportunity to discuss the difficult moments in their lives and receive support, healing can take place and, in return, they become more courageous to step out of survival mode to thriving mode," Cooper says. Cooper is in the process of publishing a book this year, "Resilience," which highlights some of the challenges faced by youths in Hartford but that are not often recognized by their teachers, families and community members. She hopes to open the door to difficult conversations with children, caregivers and community members. Meanwhile, Jaramillo aspires to start her own clinic comprised of Bilingual Speech Language Pathologists like herself to bring greater access and education to those who need it, especially women and girls who lack access or resources within their community. Today, WoLe is expanding outside of UConn Storrs to serve girls and women statewide by connecting them to mentors and opportunities. It aims to support participants to build their own legacy by educating them on WoLe's four essentials: Financial Security, Facilitate Network & Relationship Building, Leadership & Advocacy, and Wellbeing. "Our 'why' comes from a place of passion and recognition that when girls and women are empowered, they empower others," Jaramillo says. Women's Legacy believes that girls and women make it further in life on a timely manner with the right mentors and supporters in the communities. "Young women in Connecticut are our organization's primary focus, but we never want to limit ourselves," Jaramillo says. WoLe welcomes all young women and women to become part of its network and mission. The ultimate goal for Women's Legacy is to help women build each other up, to foster relationships with institutions of higher education and businesses, and to create a network of inspirational women who build legacies, leaving communities better one at a time. Building a Legacy One Story at a Time Phone: (860) 796-5166 Website: Womens-Legacy.org No. of employees: 5 Top Executives: Maman Cooper and Jessica Jaramillo, Co-Founders Year Founded: 2016 Maman Cooper, left, and Jessica Jaramillo founded Women's Legacy while still in college.