By Clarissa Hamlin
“What are you the first to do?”
That is the simple, yet captivating question that She’s The First, a global girls’ education non-profit organization, is posing. It is a challenge for men and women to examine their own power and strength, and turn that into notable action. And for many disadvantaged young women overseas, who are supported by She’s The First’s educational sponsorship, answering that question could make the difference in their lives.
“The best response that I get from young women who are sponsored by She’s The First is when they state what they will be first to do–their bold, brave statement of how they will break barriers, and do what was impossible a generation before,” said Tammy Tibbetts, the organization’s founder and president.
As an education advocate, Tibbetts is concerned that the education of boys is oftentimes prioritized over girls in developing countries. She has worked with several others to lead the charge to educate girls and young women since 2009, turning frustration into revolution to raise money for their scholarships. And what results is a diverse collection of passionate projects, geared towards encouraging the “phenomenal woman” mentality. However, helping young women is at the heart of this effort, it is a co-ed movement. Men are involved on every level, Tibbetts said.
To date, they have partnered with eight international organizations to liberate 265 girls and counting from inequality, and countless more from feelings of inadequacy. The female volunteers in the U.S. learn how to be “thought leaders” by initiating conversations with the girls in other countries through social media. Each She’s The First student chapter cultivates a Facebook and Twitter presence to connect with their local communities and inspire girls.
Offline, young women and men participating in various high school and college chapters get hands-on leadership experience. The groups do grassroots-style fundraising, including sponsoring study breaks or doing public raffles. They also talk to students about education awareness. Volunteers are encouraged to start city branches after graduating, working with young professionals to make a difference.
Events are also ways to make fierce firsts. Take for instance the First United Nations’ International Day of the Girl, which symbolized how critical girls’ issues are to the world’s overall prosperity. Tibbetts said there was no question that voices matter when students at the Young Women’s Leadership School of Brooklyn received a proclamation from New York City Council Speaker Christine Quinn before 32 She’s The First campus chapter leaders across the nation, classmates, and other notable attendees.
“The students felt empowered to be the change that they want to see in the world,” Tibbetts said. “Before the assembly started, Alicia Keys’ “This Girl Is On Fire” song played and they belted out the words of the chorus together. They know they are unstoppable and have the power to make a difference.”
[Photos: She's The First]
