Photo credit — Floyd McCraney.
On Saturday, Oct. 24, YWCA Metropolitan Chicago and Ulta Beauty Charitable Foundation (UBCF) brought together 150 girls ages 9–14 for Pretty Empowered, a hands-on experience designed to build confidence, while introducing girls to STEM, cosmetic science and the wide range of careers behind the beauty industry.
Now in its fifth year, Pretty Empowered expanded this year’s event from approximately 100 participants to 150 girls in recognition of YWCA Metropolitan Chicago’s 150th anniversary. Participants took part in hands-on activities and workshops introducing them to career paths across the beauty industry, including cosmetic science, product development, branding, marketing, retail operations and business.
“Pretty Empowered gives girls a chance to explore what they can do and who they can become, using beauty as a starting point for learning, confidence and discovery,” said Nicole Robinson, CEO of YWCA Metropolitan Chicago. “As YWCA Metropolitan Chicago celebrates 150 years of supporting women and girls, bringing 150 girls together through this program reflects our commitment to making sure the next generation has opportunities to see themselves in new and empowering ways.”
The event also featured a youth-led panel, allowing participants to hear directly from young women who have participated in YWCA programs and ask questions about their experiences. Panelists included young women who participated in Pretty Empowered’s sister program, Summer Empowered. This six-week paid pilot combined workforce experience with training in boundaries, workplace harassment, digital security, financial empowerment, and other life skills for young women aged 18-24.
For Amilyah, a seventh grade Chicago student who has participated in Pretty Empowered for two years, the program has helped change the way she sees herself.
“Pretty Empowered has helped me try new things and learn more about makeup and beauty,” said Amilyah, a Pretty Empowered participant. “It’s made me want to do more activities, go new places and keep learning about things I’m interested in.”
Pretty Empowered first launched in Chicago in 2015 and was reintroduced in 2022 as a youth-serving program in Chicago and three additional sites. It expanded to eight sites in 2024 and 2025, using beauty as an entry point to help girls explore self-care, self-confidence, leadership, STEM and career possibilities. At previous events, 89% of participants said they better understood the value of self-care and self-confidence, while 90% said they better understood the value of leadership.
“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.”
The event is part of YWCA Metropolitan Chicago’s 150th anniversary, connecting the organization’s longstanding commitment to supporting women and girls with its work to prepare the next generation to lead, learn and pursue new opportunities.
