Penny Fukui is the managing partner of Mon America Facial Blotting Papers; a principal of the Woodburn Company, an office equipment dealer in Everett, WA; and a member of the APAWLI Class of 1998.

At the Women's Center at Bellevue Community College in the state of Washington, Penny Fukui was exposed to women struggling against the odds. "Women in various stages of transition came to the center looking for assistance," Penny said. "Some were women who had stayed home to raise children who were now grown. Others were single mothers who needed to enter the work force. Many were in need of financial assistance. They lacked access to livable wages and their pressures were compounded by the high cost of daycare."

Penny's multifaceted, year-long Leadership Impact Project provided practical assistance for women who wanted to further their education or enter the work force. One project called Opt for Success  gave 25 single parents grant money for tuition, books, child care, and transportation to or from college.

Another part of Penny's project, called Taking the Next Step , convened 40 key corporate and community members as volunteer mentors. More than 160 people, over 95 percent women, attended the eight panel/sessions to learn about what employers look for when hiring and to hear the personal stories of the mentors.

Penny said, "The leaders talked about the importance of having technical skills, but also emphasized critical human factors such as team playing, enhancing communications, affirming and self-assessing. They created a very positive environment for the participants."

Penny said her impact projects reminded her of a saying she had heard that holds there is no luck other than when readiness meets opportunity. Her project provided both parts of the equation.

"Given education, financial assistance and mentoring, any one of the participants could be on the verge of greatness," she said. Penny relishes the ripple effect of good will created by her project:

"Just as APAWLI has taught us that our hands should be extended to help the next person, it is important to life as we climb to share our experience so the next person can in turn share it. It goes on and on."