Blessons for Women

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United States
Chicago, IL
Blessons for Women

Blessons empowers women in advancing economically through skilled trades. We provide educational work Tax ID 81-3326940

We provide educational workshops, women's wellness clinics including mental health resources for women of all ages. We are committed in the advancement of women by providing scholarships towards a trade school, vocational/tech training or program. These women are 25 years or older and who have had their higher education put on hold due to challenging life lessons such as cancer, mental health conditions, physical or emotional abuse, or who are first generation female immigrants.

10/12/2026

Congratulations to all our 2026 Team Blessons Charity runners! This has been our largest team and biggest fundraising success. Thank you all for believing in our mission in advancing women economically through skilled trades!

Huge shout out to our photographer, Blessons Board VP Paul Miller.

Thank you to Blessons Board Director Sally Huy and her team for generously engraving medals, Blessons Board Director Valerie for taking care of all our runners with Paul at our race day hospitality and Blessons Board Director Judie Hernandez in completing another Chicago Marathon on behalf of Blessons!

10/05/2026

Congratulations to Brittany!! We are proud to be part of her skilled trade journey as a Radiology Technician! 🥼🩻

“Radiology acts as the eyes of medicine. Who wouldn’t want to be a part of that? I have many family members who have died from cancers. Slowly dying and sudden death- it all affects us traumatically. I understand the importance of representation, trust, and compassionate care in healthcare settings. I battled between nursing and radiology fields, but ultimately, I chose radiology because it is the foundation for radiation therapy, my final goal. This is not only a permanent field; it also has room for growth and versatility. I love to travel, learn about different cultures, and I’m also learning Spanish with plans of moving to Costa Rica or Spain in the future. My identity has shaped my resilience, empathy, and commitment to serve others with dignity.

My daughter is headed to college this month, which gives me the time and ability to focus on my studies. Learning is important to success, but understanding and being able to demonstrate your understanding is even more important. Now more than ever is the best time for me; I’ll be an empty nester and have free time galore. I am a hard worker, being that I started my own cleaning business and have been running it for many years. People trust me, depend on me, and respect me because I’ve demonstrated skills to gain trust. I create my own schedule, so this will serve as a plus for clinical and in-person classes, as well as study time, and I know how crucial study time is. I believe excellent patient care goes beyond technical skills. It requires cultural awareness, effective communication, and genuine compassion. By becoming a radiologic technologist, I plan to provide high-quality care to all patients while becoming an asset to the healthcare environment. This will also prepare me to transition into radiation therapy.” - Brittany OBerry

09/14/2026

Congratulations to Wendy!! We are proud to be part of her skilled trade journey as she continues her training in Nutrition and Food Service Professional!! 🙌🏾

“Today, one of my biggest challenges is finding affordable financial assistance for continuing education. Many scholarships and grants are limited, highly competitive, or difficult to qualify for as a working adult returning to school later in life. Because I work while supporting my family, paying out-of-pocket for tuition, books, certification fees, and related expenses creates significant stress. Like many women, I am trying to improve my future while still meeting the daily needs of my household. Even with these challenges, I remain committed to furthering my education because I know it will create long-term stability and opportunity for my family.

My goal is to continue developing professionally in food service management, nutrition, and leadership while expanding my qualifications through continuing education and certifications. I want to strengthen my knowledge in operational management, budgeting, nutrition standards, and leadership development so I can make a greater impact in the organizations and communities I serve. Completing this educational journey would not only help me advance professionally, but it would also give me the confidence and credentials to mentor others and open doors that were previously out of reach.

In the future, I hope to use my education and experience to positively influence schools, healthcare facilities, and community food programs by creating environments that are both financially responsible and focused on nutrition and care. I believe food service is about far more than meals — it is about dignity, health, comfort, and community connection. My long-term goal is to help improve food programs that serve children, families, and individuals who rely on these services every day.” - Wendy Robbertse

09/11/2026

Congratulations to Channa! We wish her the best of luck as she continues her Nail Technician journey at Dudley Beauty College Chicago!! 💅🏾👏🏽

“My goal is to become a licensed nail technician, gain experience working in a nail salon, and eventually open my own salon. I want my salon to be a place where clients can experience relaxation, self-care, great music, and peace. Thanks to Dudley Beauty College’s education, I have already been put in a position to think about the visual identity and mission of my future salon, including how I want the space to look and, more importantly, how I want my clients to feel when they experience it.

Giving back is just as important to me as becoming successful. As a mental health advocate and self-care enthusiast, I want to use everything I have learned to create a space where women can find peace amongst chaos, just as I have been searching for. Once established, I would like to offer workshops for up-and-coming nail technicians, participate in community events, provide free or discounted services to women who may not otherwise have access to them, and speak to people who are looking to excel, grow, and create a better life for themselves.” - Channa Smith

09/10/2026

Congratulations to Ariana! We wish her all the best as she continues her skilled trade journey in Nursing! 👩🏼‍⚕️⚕️

“My educational journey was interrupted by the responsibilities of adulthood. Like many women, I put my own goals on hold while focusing on work, family, and caring for others. Over the years, there never seemed to be enough time or money to pursue higher education. Life presented challenges that required me to prioritize paying bills, supporting my family, and maintaining employment over earning a degree. Although education remained a personal goal, it was something I repeatedly postponed while meeting the needs of those around me.

Today, I work full-time as a Case Manager where I assist individuals experiencing homelessness, poverty, mental health challenges and substance use disorders. My work allows me to help people rebuild their lives, access resources, and work toward stable housing and employment. Through this experience, I have learned that education creates opportunities not only for personal growth but also for improving the lives of others.

One of the biggest challenges I face is financing my education while working full-time. Although I have received some financial aid, tuition, books, fees, and other educational expenses continue to create financial strain. As a nontraditional student, I do not have the same financial resources that many younger students may receive from parents or family support. I carefully budget my income and often make sacrifices in other areas to continue pursuing my education. With graduation approaching and graduate school beginning soon after, financial assistance would significantly reduce the burden of educational expenses and allow me to focus on completing my academic goals successfully.” - Ariana Murray

04/13/2026

Please share our scholarship program to a woman you know in skilled trades!

Congratulations to Terether in receiving a Blessons for Women Scholarship Award!!! We wish her all the luck as she continues her professional journey in Nursing.

“In my effort to manage my financial situation, I turned to payday loans with high interest rates, which ultimately increased my financial burden. I also created a GoFundMe campaign in hopes of receiving support, but unfortunately, I was unable to secure the funds needed to continue my education. As a result, my academic progress was put on hold despite my determination to complete my degree.

Currently, I work in an underserved community, which has strengthened my passion for giving back. After completing my education, I plan to serve similar communities by providing health education, connecting individuals to essential resources, and supporting access to housing and employment opportunities. With the support of Blessons for Women, I will be able to overcome these financial barriers, complete my education, and make a meaningful impact in the communities that need it most.” - Terether Austin

Blessons For Women

04/03/2026

🍕✨ IT’S PIZZA FOR A PURPOSE! ✨🍕

MONDAY: Join us for a delicious way to give back at our Team Blessons Chicago Marathon Fundraiser with Lou Malnati’s!❤️

You will be supporting our charity runners, Alicia and Yohana, towards their fundraising efforts on behalf of Blessons. Please support these ladies as they take on 26.2 miles this October at the 2026 Bank of America Chicago Marathon!! 🏃🏻‍♀️🙌🏾

📍 Location: 4340 N Lincoln Ave
📅 Date: Monday, April 6
⏰ Time: ALL DAY

A portion of all sales will be donated to Blessons for Women — so every bite makes a difference!

👉 How to support:
• Mention “Blessons” when ordering in-store
• Use code GPFUND26 when ordering online

Let’s show up, eat happy, and do good together 🙌🏾🍕

Lou Malnati's
Blessons For Women

03/22/2026

Congratulations to Paul, Blessons Board Director and Team Blessons runner along with Team Blessons runner, Peter! 30k participants in this morning’s Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle to kick off the running season. ☘️👏🏽

12/22/2025

Please share our scholarship program to a woman you know in skilled trades!

Congratulations to Rosie in receiving a Blessons for Women Scholarship Award!!! We wish her all the luck as she continues her professional journey in Aesthetics Nursing.

“While I am proud of how far I have come, I also know that there is still so much to learn. Aesthetics is a rapidly evolving field that requires constant training, certifications, and continuing education. These courses are costly, and as a mother of four, every major expense must be planned carefully and thoughtfully. Although I am now working in aesthetics, I am aware that to truly excel—to provide the safest, most effective, and most ethical care—I must invest in proper training. This scholarship would remove one of the largest barriers standing between me and the advanced education I need to grow.

Returning to school as an adult student has been both empowering and humbling. I am not the same woman who once had to put her dreams on hold to prioritize her family. Today, I am someone who understands life’s challenges deeply and who is committed to showing my children that growth is always possible, no matter how long something has been delayed. I want them to see that their mother not only supported her family but also pursued her own dreams with passion and resilience.” - Rosie Martinez

12/18/2025

Please share our scholarship program to a woman you know in skilled trades!

Congratulations to Marisol in receiving a Blessons for Women Scholarship Award!!! We wish her all the luck as she continues her professional journey in Aesthetics.

“As the daughter of immigrant parents, I learned early the meaning of sacrifice, perseverance, and hard work. My parents came to this country with little more than hope and determination, and their dream was simple—to give their children opportunities they never had. Their courage and resilience shaped me into the woman I am today: a first-generation college graduate, a registered nurse of fifteen years, a mother, and a lifelong learner.
My journey in education and nursing has been far from easy.

I became a mother as a teenager, and from that moment forward, I had to grow up quickly. Balancing school, work, and raising a child meant my education often had to take the slow and steady path. There were semesters I could only take one class at a time, and others when I had to pause entirely to support my family. Still, I never gave up on my dream of becoming a nurse and, later, a healthcare leader. Those experiences taught me determination, time management, and compassion—qualities that have defined my professional and personal growth.” - Marisol Leal

Address

Chicago, IL
60611

Telephone

+1 773-354-5608

Website

http://www.blessons.org/

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