Getting Women Where They Need to be: Women in Motion of High Point
It’s no secret that High Point, North Carolina is made better by quite a few strong female leaders. From city managers to council members to CEOs, our city is full of women who know that girls run the world. And among the organizations that are paving a way for women to succeed in our city, Women in Motion of High Point stands as a powerful agent of growth for women.
Under the leadership of Pam Baldwin, the Executive Director of Women in Motion (WIM) and a driving force in womens’ development, this organization has been making significant strides since its establishment in 2015. Dedicated to supporting women through leadership development, professional success, personal wellness, and financial independence, Women in Motion has become a cornerstone for empowerment in the High Point community.
When Women in Motion was first launched in 2015 as a women's fund in honor of Gwendolyn "Gwen" Kay Brayton, the Brayton family wanted to see High Point women given opportunities to succeed in their professional lives. Recognizing that many women focus on supporting their families, their children, and their communities before trying to accomplish their own dreams, Women in Motion’s founders were adamant about the importance of professional development, financial literacy, and continuing education offered to women in the High Point community.
Today, Women in Motion of High Point is an initiative under the United Way of Greater High Point, and its commitment to its mission comes through programs such as their Gathering Women for Education and Networking (GWEN) workshops. The focus topics of GWENs over the years have been decided based on feedback from WIM members, covering topics from social media to pillars of wellness, to financial stability, to entrepreneurship, and more.
Alongside their GWEN, Women in Motion also hosts an annual summit. This year’s topic, Balance for Today’s Woman, will feature keynote speaker and record-setting hiker, Jennifer Pharr Davis. Breakout sessions are led by women within the High Point community.
“We're really getting to know the women that are in the community and using them as resources and using the skills that they have,” Pam says about the intentionality of designing the GWEN. “We want to empower them as well.”
That culture of empowerment is why the organization offers a grant cycle – that comes directly from the membership dues of WIM members, meaning that each member is actively involved in helping to empower and support the dreams and visions of other women in the High Point community. In the last year, Women in Motion has granted $10,000 – with recent grants being given to organizations like the High Point Police Department for a women’s empowerment institute, as well as West End Ministries for mental health counseling to women in their women’s shelter.
“You give and you get,” Pam says to all WIM members, as they have the opportunity not only to benefit from the WIM programs, but to also see their support funneled directly back into the High Point community.
The organization's emphasis on giving rather than just receiving sets the tone for all its programming. Women in Motion’s Kitty Congdon Mentorship Program, for instance, involves 25 women spending five months learning how to mentor other women, fostering a cycle of support and leadership.
“You’re not coming in to be mentored, you’re coming in to learn to be a mentor,” Pam clarifies. Now WIM is partnering with High Point University and other community organizations to make sure that mentors from WIM are matched up with those who want to be mentored.
Because while the organization prioritizes the importance of professional life growth, it also acknowledges that holistic support for a woman is vital to her success. As a business owner, artist, and entrepreneur in her own respect, Pam knows first-hand what kind of challenges can face women in the business world today.
“We want to elevate women in both capacities – professional and personal,” explains Pam. “You cannot succeed at your job if you’re emotionally struggling or if you aren’t healthy... If we’re always trying to climb to the top, we’re going to fall on some level.”
That’s where Women in Motion steps in with open arms of support to catch and build up the women in our community. For Pam and the entire WIM board of directors, the goal of every event is to provide a space that immediately feels welcoming, inviting, energizing, and engaging – whether you’ve been a member for years or are attending for the first time.
"Women in Motion’s events offer that emotional connection,” Pam adds. “It’s not just, ‘What can I get from you?’ It’s really, ‘How can I help you?’”
And that culture of connectivity speaks for itself. Women in Motion has played a pivotal role in shaping the accessibility of women in the High Point business community. Pam notes that having women in professional and leadership roles is crucial for the city's growth. The emotional connection that women bring to the table creates connections that can elevate the entire city, making it a more supportive and inclusive place for everyone.
“Women have such a powerful stance,” Pam says. “They have an emotional connection with people that can be invaluable in terms of dreaming big and building the connections that can elevate any job or business.”
Additionally, the organization partners extensively with local businesses, organizations, and stakeholders to foster collaboration. Partnerships with entities like Carolina Core Wellness, the YWCA, the Sister Circle, Pennybyrn, and Triad Lifestyle Medicine exemplify Women in Motion's commitment to creating a holistic ecosystem for all women to succeed in High Point.
Women like Nancy Leisure.
Nancy, a proud member of Women in Motion and owner of Leisure 2 Leisure, a professional cleaning service, found solace and growth through the organization – especially during the emotionally and professionally taxing months that followed the COVID-19 pandemic.
After working in criminal justice and custodial services, Nancy decided to launch her own business in 2018. But the COVID-19 pandemic that hit just a few years after her business launched left her feeling discouraged.
“I was feeling lonely, disconnected from everything and everyone,” Nancy shares. But engaging in the programs offered by Women in Motion – GWENs, networking, and the mentorship series – became turning points for Nancy, boosting her spirits both personally and professionally.
“I learned a lot just from being in the room with other women,” says Nancy. “When you get around certain women, they actually pull out of you things you didn’t even know you had. When they believe in you – sometimes more than you believe in yourself – it gives you courage to believe you can do whatever vision God has shown you.”
Today, alongside her business, Nancy has also started a service community that volunteers in local shelters and correctional facilities called Sisters of Hope – another dream that was born from the confidence she received through Women in Motion.
“Women in Motion helped me as a woman to grow and to become somebody I never thought I could be,” Nancy says of Women in Motion and her community of friends there.
The mentors and friends Nancy has made in WIM highlight the common mission among members: to see other women grow. This sentiment captures the essence of Women in Motion – a community dedicated to supporting one another's growth, transcending business success to nurture the whole person.
“It’s important that we support one another,” Nancy reflects of the women in her community around her. “Together, we are stronger. Who else can understand you like another a woman?”
“If you’re a woman and you’re moving to High Point, you have an organization that’s cheering you on,” Pam concludes. “We're really for the mission to empower women. No matter what capacity that is, we are going to get you where you need to be.”
“Women in Motion helped me as a woman to grow and to become somebody I never thought I could be.”
Nancy Leisure, proud member of Women in Motion and owner of Leisure 2 Leisure.
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