Althea Payne Butler describes influence as something measured by consistency and trust. For more than 20 years, she has quietly lived that definition across Prince William County, pairing her professional work as a systems engineer with a deep, hands-on commitment to helping families, students, and adults find stability, confidence, and new opportunities.
Althea, a Triangle resident, is the founder of SOWEGO LLC, doing business as Victory Chronicles and SOWEGO Smart Solutions. These platforms operate with a strong community mission focused on empowerment, education, and self-sufficiency. Her nomination for the 2026 Prince William Living Influential Women Awards highlights that while she may not hold formal titles in large civic organizations, she is deeply rooted in Prince William County and carries out through ht clients' rights on behalf of residents who need immediate, practical support.”
Over the past year alone, Althea has:
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Provided one-on-one exam and licensing study support to single parents and families, helping them increase their chances of obtaining stable employment.
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Funded or subsidized Behind the Wheel classes and licensing-related costs for several individuals so they could secure driver’s licenses without extended delays.
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Helped families learn food budgeting strategies, including how to find low-cost grocery options and plan meals, saving an estimated $100–$300 per month for each household.
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Assisted high school seniors with graduation-related expenses, including senior portraits, caps and gowns, and school fees, ensuring they can fully participate in milestone events with their peers.
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Mentored adults through career transitions, resume development, technology skills, and confidence-building, supporting more than a hundred individuals over several years.
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Facilitated workshops on journaling, healing, self-worth, and personal development, both in groups and one-on-one.
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Offered crisis and transition support for families facing financial stress, housing instability, or caregiving challenges, providing both practical guidance and emotional encouragement.
Much of this work happens quietly, outside of formal programs and warfare. In her own words, Thea explains, “I do not wait for permission to help others. I respond when I see a need.” That approach has allowed her to step into gaps that larger systems sometimes miss, especially for people who might feel embarrassed to ask for help or unsure where to begin.
Her nomination underscores that impact often shows up in small but life-changing outcomes: a parent who passes a licensing exam and can take a better job; a family who can stretch their grocery budget and feel less stress around food; a senior who walks across the graduation stage because someone stepped in to cover the last fees; an adult who rebuilds after a setback with a new plan, a stronger resume, and renewed confidence.
Through SOWEGO, Victory Chronicles, and her personal mentoring, Althea encourages people to “believe in their ability to heal and grow,” to ask for help without shame, and to give back “when they are able, even in small ways.” Her work addresses practical needs and emotional well-being at the same time, pairing logistical support with encouragement, accountability, and a safe space to be honest about struggle.
Althea’s own lived experience shapes how she serves. She notes that she understands “what it feels like to need help and not know where to turn, to be embarrassed by my situation,” which is why she approaches service with compassion, not judgment. The nomination describes her efforts as providing “a safe place for those I help to be vulnerable,” enabling people to take the first step toward change.
As a Prince William Living Influential Women Awards nominee, Althea Payne Butler represents a kind of leadership that often operates out of the spotlight: steady, personal, and persistent. She models what it looks like to notice a need, step in, and walk beside people long enough for them to regain their footing. Her influence lives in the test passed, the job secured, the bill managed, the diploma earned, and the quiet sense of hope that returns when someone knows they are not facing it alone.
Join Us in Celebrating Our Nominees
Help us celebrate Althea and all of the 2026 Prince William Living Influential Women Awards nominees. Reserve your tickets for the Influential Women Awards Celebration at Sweeney Barn on March 5, 2026, and join us in honoring women who are making Greater Prince William a more creative, caring, and connected place.
Visit princewilliamliving.com/influential-women for more details and ticket information.
https://princewilliamliving.com/influential-women/
We’re honored to have you as part of this incredible group of women who make a difference every day in our community. Thank you for all that you do — and we can’t wait to celebrate with you in March!
Warmly,
Rebecca Barnes
Publisher, Prince William Living
OFFICIALLY CANCER FREE April 2019 -Read about it here.
703-232-1758 ext. 1 rbarnes@princewilliamliving.com
www.princewilliamliving.com
