As the old saying goes, “Give a man a fish, and you feed him for a day; teach a man to fish, and you feed him for a life time.” Teaching women how to be employable in order to benefit themselves and their children makes the possibility of independence and self sufficiency the kind of difference that makes a difference in the lives of Atlanta’s women.

Every Woman Works, Inc. Learning Center (EWWLC) is a non-threatening, supportive environment where women who are homeless, recovering from alcohol and drug dependency, in transition from the penal system, recovering from domestic violence, surviving the storms of life, or living in poverty have the opportunity to develop solid, transferable work skills to strengthen their sense of self-confidence and achieve financial independence. It is a means for fulfilling on the intention of the 1996 Federal welfare reform legislation. Welfare cripples people by ‘giving them a fish,’ rather than any incentive to grow or to set and achieve goals, EWWLC is about realizing the vision of “teaching people to fish” by ensuring they can meet the high expectations of employers (e.g.) punctuality, attendance, proper attire, acceptable communication skills, and respect for self and others.

Tillie O’Neal-Kyles, founder, and CEO of EWWLC has a deep spiritual commitment to ensuring that every woman is equipped with the skills necessary to work for themselves. The EWWLC mission is “Helping women to move from dependency to self-sufficiency.”

Tillie has a BA in Business Administration from Golden Gate University, San Francisco California. She spent 35 plus years working for and with corporate America, 15 of those years in engineering and over 20 years in adult education and training. In 1996, Tillie formed her own training and consulting firm, Learning Options, and for the next six years, continued to enhance the effectiveness of the employees of multiple national and international companies. Among her many clients was ESKOM Power and Light Company in South Africa, a microcosm of the desired transformation in that country. Tillie’s international work has included teaching Active Communication to hundreds in Capetown, South Africa, and the 7 Habits of Highly Effective People (Stephen R. Covey) to over 2000 people at a sales conference in Johannesburg, South Africa. Tillie has also shared her skills and knowledge with adult learners in Tanzania and England.

In 2002, after coaching and consulting to Mary Hall Freedom House, Inc., one of the most successful residential recovery centers for women in Georgia, including women with children, Tillie was touched by the profound difference these treatment programs made in the lives of women. However, something more was needed and a vision was born in Tillie’s spirit to empower women who are dealing with life challenges by providing them with the tools necessary to achieve financial independence, personal growth, family leadership, and a spiritual foundation through a curriculum of continuous education. This vision became Every Woman Works, Inc.

Tillie asserts that she is blessed to be working with women who are appreciative of the support that they are given. She is thankful to have the opportunity to share the principles of: spirituality, diversity, acceptance, living a purpose-driven life, conquering the battlefield of the mind, parenting, having a work ethic, career planning, and goal setting with these women. It remains her prayer that the resources provided in the programs of Every Woman Works, Inc. continue to enable students to live respectable, productive, and prosperous lives for themselves and their children. Quoting one of Tillie’s former clients, “What Tillie fails to understand is the profound affect she has on the people she meets. She touches their hearts and minds in ways that change the trajectory of their life because who she IS in the world is more of a contribution than anything she says.”
To quote Tillie, “Remember to treat yourself with love and kindness.”