Two Fayette County volunteers have reached a major milestone in their commitment to women’s empowerment. MaryLen Hajduk, a longtime resident of Uniontown, and Lisa Malago of Connellsville successfully completed the Soroptimist International Leadership Fellows Program, a year‑long curriculum designed to build confident, effective leaders.
Program highlights
The fellowship began in June 2025 with a virtual opening session. Over the course of twelve months, the fellows participated in three intensive, interactive sessions covering topics such as leadership as action rather than title, project planning and management, building inclusive organizations, drafting volunteer and employee handbooks, and viewing conflict as an opportunity for growth. Between sessions, Hajduk and Malago worked in small groups, practiced leadership pitches, and forged connections with Soroptimist members from across the United States and abroad.
The program culminated at Soroptimist International’s 49th Biennial Convention in Incheon, Korea. At the ceremony, the graduates received certificates and distinctive graduation stoles, marking their readiness to lead with greater confidence and impact.
About Soroptimist International
Headquartered in Philadelphia, Soroptimist International of Fayette County is part of a global network of volunteers dedicated to the economic empowerment of women and girls. The organization’s Dream Programs provide education, training, and career support, including the Live Your Dream: Education and Training Awards for Women and the Dream It, Be It: Career Support for Girls. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, Soroptimist relies on charitable donations to fund its initiatives and operates an online community, LiveYourDream.org, that matches volunteers with service opportunities.
Hajduk and Malago’s achievement underscores the value of local leadership development in advancing Soroptimist’s mission. Their newly honed skills will help them expand programs that give women and girls in Fayette County access to the education and training needed for economic independence.
Looking ahead
Both graduates plan to apply their training to existing Soroptimist projects and to launch new initiatives that address the unique needs of their communities. Their participation demonstrates how local volunteers can benefit from national and international resources while bringing those benefits back home.
Original reporting: Herald-Standard – latest news for Uniontown, Pennsylvania — read the source article.
