National program marks the 5th anniversary of Pretty Empowered and the 10th anniversary of the Ulta Beauty Charitable Foundation, inspiring the next generation of leaders through wellness, STEM and self-confidence.
YWCA USA, in partnership with the Ulta Beauty Charitable Foundation (UBCF), is proud to announce the return of Pretty Empowered – a nationwide initiative designed to inspire and uplift girls through education, wellness, leadership development and career exploration – on October 24, 2026.
This year's program carries special significance as Pretty Empowered celebrates its fifth anniversary and UBCF commemorates its tenth anniversary of investing in programs that empower women and teens.
Since its launch in 2022 by YWCA Metropolitan Chicago, Pretty Empowered has grown from a single-site pilot to a national initiative that has engaged thousands of girls ages 9 to 14 through hands-on experiences that encourage confidence, self-expression, wellness and exploration of STEM-related careers.
“Pretty Empowered helped me create friendships that I’ll always cherish and never forget,” said one of the 2025 participants from YWCA Glendale and Pasadena. “I also learned so much about different careers I could go into one day in beauty such as cosmetic science or supply chain.”
The 2026 initiative will bring together YWCA Local Associations across the country to host immersive experiences featuring interactive workshops, mentorship opportunities, wellness activities and discussions introducing participants to career pathways in cosmetic science, retail operations, supply chain logistics and other STEM-related fields.
"As we celebrate five years of Pretty Empowered, we're reminded of the incredible impact that happens when girls are given opportunities to learn, grow and envision new possibilities for their futures," said Margaret Mitchell, CEO of YWCA USA. "Through our partnership with the Ulta Beauty Charitable Foundation, we are creating experiences that help girls build confidence, discover new interests and see themselves as future leaders, innovators and changemakers."
Participating YWCAs will customize programming to meet local community interests and needs, offering experiences that may include wellness activities, youth leadership workshops, STEM exploration, mentorship opportunities and community-building exercises designed to foster belonging and self-confidence.
Participating associations in 2026 are:
YWCA El Paso Del Norte Region
YWCA Glendale & Pasadena
YWCA Greater Atlanta
YWCA Kitsap County
YWCA Metropolitan Chicago
YWCA Metropolitan St. Louis
YWCA Northern New Jersey
YWCA South Florida
The milestone anniversary celebration also reflects a decade of impact from UBCF, whose commitment to supporting the well-being of women and teens has helped foster healthy minds, bodies and communities.
“It’s incredibly special to be celebrating the 10th anniversary of the Ulta Beauty Charitable Foundation and the 5th anniversary of Pretty Empowered in the same year,” said Amiee Bayer-Thomas, chief retail officer at Ulta Beauty and board member for YWCA Metropolitan Chicago. “Over the past five years, Ulta Beauty and YWCA have grown Pretty Empowered from a single event into a national program helping thousands of young women see the possibilities and pursue their dreams with confidence. Pretty Empowered brings to life the Ulta Beauty Charitable Foundation’s commitment to empowering the well-being of women and teens, and I’m excited to see that impact continue to grow in the years ahead.”
For more information about Pretty Empowered or to learn how to get involved, please contact communications@ywca.org.
About YWCA USA
YWCA USA is a powerful network of over 190 community-based, grassroots organizations with the collective mission to eliminate racism, empower women, and promote peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all. Through membership in World YWCA, we are also a proud part of a global women’s rights movement with the goal of engaging 100 million young women and girls to transform power structures to create justice, gender equality and a world without violence and war by the year 2035.
YWCAs are on the ground in towns, cities and counties across the United States, providing the services that women need most, from safety for domestic and sexual violence survivors to affordable housing and childcare. Using our collective action at the local level, YWCA USA lifts women’s voices to impact social and policy change at the state and national levels. We believe that this unique combination of services, advocacy and social change will lead to a world where ALL women, girls, and gender-diverse people, especially those of color, are free from racism and sexism, experience justice and equity and are empowered to thrive. As a nonpartisan, 501(c)(3) organization, YWCA USA is prohibited from endorsing or opposing candidates for elected office.