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Monthly Archives: October 2010
1 Day Till She's the First Soiree!! Be there!
The super She’s the First Soiree at Pop Burger — featuring a one-hour open wine bar, our best raffle ever (did we mention Gayle King donated a signed Tory Burch bag she wore on the red carpet?), cake & cupcakes, music by DJ Kalkutta, a special dance performance, photo booth, and more! — is only one day away! Can you believe it?! After one year of hard work and dreams-come-true for our team, and the 30+ girls we’ve sponsored with you — it’s finally time to celebrate and unite to dream even bigger for year #2!
This past week, we’ve been spotlighting an attendee every day and publishing why she is excited to attend the Soiree (our featured faces have all been female, but there are guys coming to the party too — bring your guy friends!). Today, we present a barking order from one of our tiniest fans in Florida, Belle. She’s the First Researcher Maisy Page is her proud owner — and clearly the She’s the First love runs in the family. 
Save time and money: Get your ticket in advance at http://www.shesthefirstsoiree.eventbrite.com!
Support for She's the First comes in all shapes and sizes.
2 Days to the She's the First Soiree, NYC
Arianna is not only partying with us at Pop Burger, but on Facebook too -- her profile pic has been Soiree'd!
It’s Halloween weekend for everyone else, but here at She’s the First headquarters, we think of it as only 2 days left till our first birthday! Please remember to buy your ticket online (before Monday morning) to our She’s the First Soiree, to avoid delay and extra bucks at the door — then get on with your Halloween fun!
Today’s featured face to help us count down is Arianna Davis, an assistant at O, the Oprah Magazine (she secured a very awesome donation from Gayle King for our raffle!):
I knew I had to support She’s the First after meeting some of the girls from the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls in South Africa when they were visiting the US. Knowing their stories and the unfortunate circumstances they came from, it was amazing to see them being able to achieve their dreams. But then I got to thinking: what about the millions of other girls around the world who haven’t been as fortunate? I can’t wait to help raise money through the Soiree on Monday to give other young girls their own opportunities to become ‘the first’ at whatever their hearts desire. And I’m especially excited because I’ll be at the letter station, where everyone can join us in writing and decorating letters of encouragement to the girls at Shanti Bhavan!
Be sure to get your ticket in advance at http://www.shesthefirstsoiree.eventbrite.com!
Piano is Her Passion: Interview with a 17-yr-old Shanti Bhavan Student
Saridha playing the piano, her passion
The soft-spoken and gentle Saridha, 17, currently studies business and piano at Shanti Bhavan. Her family comes from a nearby village called Deveerapelli, about the size of Shanti Bhavan’s campus! I spent some time with her to ask about the piano and her future hopes and dreams.
When did you start playing the piano?
I was in first grade, so I was seven years old.
What do you like about playing piano?
I like the pieces. If I’m very stressed out when I play the piano, I get relaxed.
What is your favorite piece to play?
Fur Elise.
What do you consider your biggest accomplishments on the piano?
Fur Elise and Maple Leaf Rag.
How often do you practice?
I play for a half an hour, five times a week.
Do you see yourself playing piano forever?
That’s difficult in India.
Why so?
Because pianos are expensive and there are not many. I have not heard of a piano teacher in India.
There is a street project in New York City that places pianos around the city for people to play. What do you think about that?
Wow. I would be happy to go there and play one day. Continue reading
3 Days to the She's the First Soiree, NYC!
Stephanie has her ticket ready for the She's the First Soiree on Monday -- say hello if you see her!
We celebrate the countdown to She’s the First Soiree with Stephanie Mattera today! She is Glamour‘s New York City Glambassador (see her Facebook page here), and we’re honored she’ll be joining us! It’s not too late to get your ticket (remember they’re a bit cheaper online than at the door)…hope you’ll join us for all the fun – open wine bar, super glam raffle, dance performance, cake & cupcakes, photo booth, etc. — and the fulfillment of supporting girls’ education worldwide.
She’s the first was built on the belief that we all have the power to change the world, one girl at a time. I support She’s the First because it encompasses all of the values that are dear to me. Education has been the foundation of my success and it has given me the confidence to pursue my dreams with vigor and integrity. It is my hope that every girl around the globe will have this opportunity too! Please join me in celebrating the 1st birthday of this extraordinary movement of young women on a mission to change the lives of girls everywhere!”
Be sure to get your ticket in advance at http://www.shesthefirstsoiree.eventbrite.com!
She’s the first was built on the belief that we all have the power to change the world, one girl at a time.
I support She’s the First because it encompasses all of the values that are dear to me. Education has been the foundation
of my success and it has given me the confidence to pursue my dreams with vigor and integrity. It is my hope that every girl
around the globe will have this opportunity too! I am so proud of Tammy Tibbetts, She’s the First founder and president, for
making her vision a reality. Please join me in celebrating the 1st birthday of this extraordinary movement of young women
on a mission to change the lives of girls everywhere!”
4 Days to the She’s the First Soiree, NYC!
Irene is a She's the First Soiree Party Guest!
To count down the She’s the First Soiree, we’re posting comments from a ticketholder each day…there’s still time to join us on Monday, Nov. 1st! Make your donation/purchase your ticket today!
Today’s featured face is Irene Kwon, an Assistant Editor at Working Mother:
I work in an industry that I’m passionate about, and I’m only here because of the women who have gone before me and have helped me reach my dream of working in magazines. We need to advocate, sponsor and push each other to reach our maximum potential. None of us would have gotten to where we are without the gentle nudge or encouraging words of someone else. In a society that’s so individualistic and concerned about making it big for oneself, it’s so refreshing to see that there are people out there echoing the words of Winston Churchill through their actions: “We make a living by what we get. We make a life by what we give.”
I’m looking forward to getting together with a group of talented, caring, passionate women who are looking to make someone else’s dream come true!
Be sure to get your ticket in advance at http://www.shesthefirstsoiree.eventbrite.com!
Partner Spotlight: Kibera School for Girls, Kenya
This photo says it all!
Shining Hope for Communities, one of our two Kenya partners, is a phenomenal testament to She’s the First’s celebration of “firsts.” In 2007, Jessica Posner, Shining Hope’s co-founder, became the first non-native to live in Kenya’s Kibera slum, the largest slum in Africa. Shining Hope’s Johanna Justin-Jinich Community Clinic is the first and only free health clinic in Kibera to focus on women’s health. Lastly, the nonprofit’s Kibera School for Girls, a She’s the First partner school, is the region’s first tuition-free school for girls.
Currently, the Kibera School for Girls (KSG) has 67 girls enrolled in pre-kindergarten through 2nd grade. KSG will expand to provide an education for 570 students in grades pre-kindergarten through 8th. Assistant teachers were recently hired to ensure that all girls receive hands-on, individualized attention. Thanks to the assistance of a visiting teacher from NYC’s Chapin School, KSG teachers designed student-centered curriculum. Shining Hope for Communities recently added “Margaret’s Safe Place,” a boarding facility for KSG’s most vulnerable students.
In the words of Helen Mbithe, a member of KSG’s Parent Board, “The Kibera School for Girls is special in many ways. It is the only free school for girls that I have even heard of in Kenya. But there is something more. At the school there is also a center for the community with needed resources like computers, books, health education sessions, and vegetable garden open to all community members…My husband now says that good treats come with educating girl children, and because he is the last person I could ever think to say this, I can say that this idea will change lives in many ways in my struggling home community.”
Eunice, one of KSG's smiling students
Our Aspire blog readers may remember Jessica from this blog post, following her nomination for the nationally acclaimed DoSomething Awards. She’s the First is honored that two of our partner schools were founded by DoSomething Award winners! Both Jessica and Maggie Doyne, founder of the Kopila Valley Children’s Home, were awarded $100,000 for their incredible dedication to improving the lives of children around the world.
Sponsorship for The Kibera School for Girl’s education program ranges from $30 a month and from $360 a year. If you can’t cover the full year amount, other She’s the First fundraisers will make up the difference and you’ll support her together! See the directory for more details.
Posted in Kibera School for Girls
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5 Days to the She’s the First Soiree, NYC!
Blaire was the *first* to buy a ticket for the She's the First Soiree!
Today’s featured ticketholder, invited to share why she’s coming to the She’s the First Soiree on Monday Nov. 1, is Blaire Briody, a writer for The Fiscal Times. We hope you join us!
I purchased a ticket for She’s the First Soiree because their work inspires me, and it has the potential to inspire so many girls around the world. With nearly 1 billion people worldwide having no schooling or dropping out early, and two-thirds of those being girls, it’s a glaring problem that can’t be ignored anymore. I’m especially an advocate for increasing our focus on women in science and math. Pushing girls to pursue their dreams, even if no one around them has done it before, will have the potential to change families, communities, countries, economies and more. Supporting She’s the First will help lead the way.
Be sure to get your ticket in advance at http://www.shesthefirstsoiree.eventbrite.com!
6 Days to the She's the First Soiree, NYC!
Nicole has her ticket for the She's the First Soiree!
In anticipation of our She’s the First Soiree and FIRST birthday on Monday, November 1st — 6 days away!! — we’re going to run daily posts highlighting one of the ordinary young women lending her extraordinary support to our cause. Look out for their faces in the crowd on Nov. 1st at Pop Burger in Midtown, along with members of the She’s the First leadership team, GIRLS WHO ROCK stars Shontelle and Cara Salimando, bracelet designer Asha Patel, the directors of the Shanti Bhavan Children’s Project & Kenya Education Fund, Infin8 dance troop, and more!
Our first featured face is Nicole Cacioppo, who works by day with Simon & Schuster:
It’s important to me to support this cause because girls everywhere should be given the opportunity to an education. Knowing my support will help even one girl on her path to a better future is a rewarding experience. I’m proud of everything She’s the First has accomplished in its first year and can’t wait to see what the following year brings!
I’m really looking forward to watching the Infin8 Dance group perform and the amazing raffles for a great cause!
Be sure to get your ticket in advance at http://www.shesthefirstsoiree.eventbrite.com!
Partner Spotlight: The Selamta Family Project, Ethiopia
Selam! I bring you greetings from Ethiopia, home to She’s the First partner school The Selamta Family Project. As a Researcher on the She’s the First leadership team, I’m our primary liaison between She’s the First and The Selamta Family Project, listed in our directory here. I’ll be blogging quarterly about Selamta’s news and developments.
By sponsoring a girl supported by the Selamta Family Project, you’re contributing to an innovative organization dedicated to creating permanent, independent families in a country where far too AIDS and poverty tear families apart. Selamta’s family and community-based care model provides hope, support, and education to orphaned, vulnerable children and marginalized women.
The 2009 International Conference in Africa for Children decreed that HIV/AIDS-focused humanitarian organizations should implement family-based care systems in their relief operations. Selamta was the only conference participant to have successfully implemented the recommended model! Each of the homes in Selamta’s “constellations” has a head-of-household mother, supporting auntie, and eight to 10 children. Selamta completed their first “constellation” of family homes in the Bethel neighborhood of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Selamta hopes to find sponsorships for all of the children living in this new “constellation” and will soon begin work on an additional living space in a different neighborhood.
Selamta is especially proud of their oldest student, Fitsum Mulushewa. After her parents died, 
when she was just 12 years old, Fitsum was left as the sole caretaker of her younger sister. Although she tried to attend school as much as possible, it was difficult to get a proper education due to her home responsibilities. At 16, Fitsum joined the Selamta family. She enrolled in high school and thanks to the generosity of a sponsor, Fitsum received extra financial support to attend junior college for three years! This June, Fitsum graduated from a 3-year university paralegal program. In true She’s the First spirit, Fitsum hopes to focus on women’s legal issues. Fitsum’s story proves that an education scholarship can be life-changing. Thanks to her sponsorship, Fitsum will now be able to defend and advocate for women around the world.
Sponsorship for The Selamta Family Project’s education program is $360/yr for school fees or $800/yr all-inclusive — you can fundraise with friends to raise part of that amount or all (if you can’t cover the full year amount, other She’s the First fundraisers will make up the difference and you’ll support her together!) See the directory for more details.
Ready to Report: 10th Annual Avon Foundation for Women Gala, NYC
We’re so honored to be invited to attend the Avon Foundation for Women Gala tomorrow night in NYC! We plan to tweet during the event and blog afterward for Aspire and Huffington Post Impact to share the inspiration with Team She’s the First! Stay tuned…
Our invitation!
Support Shanti Bhavan with She's the First, at our Soiree on Nov. 1st!
there’s a special surprise about the She’s the First Soiree revealed at the end!
As we prepare for the She’s the First Soiree in 9 days — Soiree’ing our profile pictures on Facebook, putting together photo and video slideshows, coordinating with our cake baker, and promoting the new She’s the First bracelet by Asha Patel Designs — we sometimes have to pause from the whirlwind of party planning. When we do, we think of the girls who we’ll be connected to long after this event is over, just as we were with GIRLS WHO ROCK — after two intense months of concert planning, it ended in a flash…and what was most special to us was that we walked away with a lasting impact on three girls in AfricAid’s Kisa Project program in Tanzania.
At Shanti Bhavan in India, girls' lives are transformed through education & arts
All of you who are part of the She’s the First Soiree — whether you are attending in NYC, or spreading the word, making a donation on eventbrite.com, or buying a bracelet from anywhere — are now going to be intertwined with the future of the girls at Shanti Bhavan in India. Since Since She’s the First launched a year ago, Shanti Bhavan has been a distinguished partner in our directory. Two of their American volunteers at the school have even become She’s the First guest bloggers from India.
This past June, Shanti Bhavan graduated its first class of students ever – a historic occasion, because these students were all born into the lowest caste in India, the Dalits, or Untouchables. If you’ve ever seen Slumdog Millionaire or read The God of Small Things, you understand that this status dooms them to a life of menial labor, abuse, and discrimination — and it’s even worse for girls and women. Shanti Bhavan rescues boys and girls from this fate and opens a whole new future of possibilities for them. They get on the college track and virtually any career is attainable to them.
The other amazing thing about Shanti Bhavan is that the school values the arts as much as academics, understanding that children who can express themselves creatively master a whole new sense of confidence and problem-solving that makes them even stronger adults. The kids have FUN and love learning. You can’t mistake that when you watch any of Shanti Bhavan’s videos on YouTube. In fact, on the cusp of Halloween, look at how funny this “Thriller” performance is!
On a more serious note, these students have overcome the worst kind of abuse and they know the future will not be easy — there is much corruption and bias to overcome. But they wholeheartedly believe they are going to be the first to do it, the girls in particular. Just look back on some of our past blog posts:
- Shilpa’s essay: “Journalism is as new as the tar that has been poured onto the mud roads in my village…my interest and love for a career I dream to pursue doesn’t crumble to the fear of not being accepted.”
- Bina’s essay: “I am proud that as a girl I too can contribute to my society and make this world a better place. I want to work in Shanti Bhavan and share my talents to the future children of this school.”
- Ranjini’s essay: “I want life to be a challenging path towards success where I give my best in everything I do. I relate my expectations to my positive approach to life. Many people have said ‘Expectations hurt.’ I believe they hurt when you let them defeat you, when you turn down opportunities, when you have lost faith in yourself.”
At the She’s the First Soiree, we’ve got shining stars of the Indian culture collaborating in creative ways — the bracelet of Asha Patel Designs, the music of DJ Kalkutta, the dance of Infin8 — all to support the amazing work of Shanti Bhavan and She’s the First. 100% of the raffle tickets at the Soiree — where you can win fashion/beauty/entertainment packages worth $250+ dollars each! — will go toward girls’ sponsorship at Shanti Bhavan, as will a portion of every She’s the First bracelet sold. And what’s more…
On the third floor of the Pop Burger lounge, you will be able to decorate a card to be sent to girls at Shanti Bhavan!
See you there? Be sure to buy a ticket in advance for ease of entry (and to save a few bucks!): http://www.shesthefirstsoiree.eventbrite.com
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Ambassadors
Carla Blumenthal
Social marketer, tea-drinker, bike-rider, sunset chaser, NYC-obsessed, passionate about women’s’ empowerment!
When I’m not on shesthefirst.org I’m surfing: Tumblr, New York Magazine & The New York Times.
Trailblazer I’d Like to Meet: Sheryl Sandberg, Facebook COO, because she is an advocate for women pursuing careers technology
My first: First in my family to move to NYC and run a half-marathon.
carla@shesthefirst.org, @carlablumenthal
Jeff Boodie
Social entrepreneur who started his career in New York City. He now works in production with Dream Works Animation studios.
When I’m not on shesthefirst.org, I’m… Going to the movies.
Trailblazer I’d Like to Meet: Mellody Hobson, President of Ariel Investments.
My First: First in my family to live on the West Coast and work for an animation studio.
jeff@shesthefirst.org, @jboodie
Sarah Bruning
Journalist, food fanatic, baking addict, travel junkie, New Yorker by way of California.
When I’m not on shesthefirst.org, I’m surfing: creative blogs (everything from food and culture to travel, crafting and photography).
Trailblazer I’d Like to Meet: Cathie Black, former Hearst chairwoman, who was never afraid of a challenge or Queen Rania of Jordan.
My First: First in my family to study abroad. (Spain)
sarahbruning@shesthefirst.org, @sarahbruning
Kaitlin Davis
Fordham grad, lover of cupcakes, shoes & musical theatre, suffering from an eternal case of wanderlust.
When I’m not on shesthefirst.org, I’m surfing: My favorite home & fashion blogs, Pinterest and Playbill.com.
Trailblazer I’d Like to Meet: Walt Disney.
My First: First in my family to perform in Carnegie Hall.
kaitlin@shesthefirst.org, @kaitlin_davis
Rachael Datello
An east coaster taking in everything California has to offer.
When I’m not on shesthefirst.org, I’m surfing: Waves in the Pacific.
Trailblazer I’d Like to Meet: Kathryn Bigelow
My First: First in her family to graduation from college and pursue a career in film.
@RachaelDatello
Alessandra Foresto
Beauty writer and magazine addict, JCrew lover, travel aficionado and avid foodie. Want to read every book & caffeine is my lifeline.
When I’m not on shesthefirst.org, I’m surfing: Fashion and beauty blogs and New York Magazine.
Trailblazer I’d Like to Meet: Anne Frank
My First: First in my family to get a full-tuition scholarship to college.
ale@shesthefirst.org, @AleForesto
Jill Irvin
A midwestern girl living, learning, & loving in Los Angeles.
When I’m not on shesthefirst.org, I’m surfing: Twitter, Pinterest, Vulture, & ellentv.com
Trailblazer I’d Like to Meet: Michelle Obama
My First: First in her family to pursue a career in the entertainment industry and move to the West Coast.
jill@shesthefirst.org, @jirvin16
Ashly Priest
Lean, mean, party-planning-event-producing-partnership-fostering-philanthropic-giving-newsletter-writing-lingerie-designing-machine!
When I’m not on shesthefirst.org I’m surfing: Time Out New York, Food & Wine Magazine, and The New York Times
Trailblazer I’d Like to Meet: Hillary Clinton, because she holds an amazing title in global politics and has the power to make change.
My first: First in my family to move away from our small town and make it in the big city; NYC!
ashly@shesthefirst.org, @AListExpert
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She's the First Soiree: 11 Days!
More have been Soiree’d on Facebook in celebration of our first birthday in NYC on November 1st!
The birthday bash will officially debut our bracelet by Asha Patel Designs, benefiting the Shanti Bhavan and Kenya Education Fund, and support the work of our She’s the First*{Campus} chapters. We’ll have a first-class raffle that donates all proceeds to Shanti Bhavan girls in India, a dance performance by Infin8, DJ Kalkutta, sweet treats by GoodieBox Bakeshop, photo booth, and more!
Whether or not you are in NYC to celebrate, please help us spread the word — share http://www.shesthefirstsoiree.eventbrite.com with your network — and add a fun hat to your Facebook profile pic, using Picnik. Here’s how — or send us your photo, info@shesthefirst.org, and we’ll do it for you!
Inspiration for Sponsoring a Girl in Nepal: Maggie Doyne
Maggie Doyne and the Kopila Valley Children's Home graced the homepage of the nytimes.com today!
She’s the First is thrilled to report that Maggie Doyne, founder of the Kopila Valley Children’s Home and School, was just featured in the NY Times Magazine and on the homepage of nytimes.com this morning!
Well-deserved! We are so proud because Maggie’s school is in our directory, one of our carefully selected partner programs of where you can sponsor a girl. In his article “D.I.Y. Foreign-Aid Revolution,” Nicholas Kristof applauded the efforts of young women like Maggie who are “driven by a passion to create a better world…in particular, a better world for women.”
After high school graduation, Maggie embarked on a “gap year” to work with impoverished children in India, and then traveled to a rural Himalayan village that changed her life. In this village, Maggie found that school was a luxury most children couldn’t afford. She befriended a young Nepalese girl named Hema who couldn’t attend school. Maggie resolved to pay for Hema’s education. For just $15, Maggie sent Hema to kindergarten and asked herself, “If I can help one girl, why not five? Why not 10?” In a life-changing move, Maggie telephoned her parents and asked them to send her life-savings to Nepal. Immediately, Maggie began working with locals to construct an orphanage in rural Nepal. In just a few months, Maggie raised $25,000 to continue construction. After winning the DoSomething.org $100,000 grand prize and being named CosmoGirl of the Year, Maggie’s efforts quickly became nationally recognized.
At just 23, Maggie is now fluent in Nepalese and serves as principal and founder of a school that houses 200 young Nepalese children. If you’re moved by Maggie’s story and would like to sponsor a young girl at the Kopila Valley Children’s Home, visit http://shesthefirst.org/directory. For just $300, you can help empower a community by educating a girl.
Journalist Nicholas Kristof, who wrote the article, has been a long-time advocate of girls’ education in the developing world. In the phenomenal book he wrote with his wife Sheryl Wudunn — Half the Sky: Turning Oppression into Opportunity — he hopes to instill in readers the idea that “the best way to fight poverty and extremism is to educate and empower women and girls.” Last month, I attended New York Women in Communications’ “A Conversation with Nicholas Kristof” event and book-signing with She’s the First President Tammy, where we were able to make a brief introduction to Mr. Kristof. Next up, a few She’s the First team members will be attending his lecture at Syracuse University on November 3rd and have the chance to meet him!
Read the full article on Maggie’s amazing work here. Maggie, we will continue to do all we can to support you. We hope to bring many more sponsors your way — Mackenzie Olson was the first!
I've Been Soiree'd!
Our one-and-only FIRST birthday is less than 2 weeks away! We want everyone, regardless of whether they live in NYC, to celebrate, not only to recognize all that we accomplished with you in one year (30+ sponsorships!), but more importantly, our future — and how it will impact girls around the world. So why not throw a big party on Facebook? To make our enthusiasm blatantly obvious, we started fooling around with our Facebook profile pictures on the free photo editing site Picnik.com. First, our President Tammy altered hers by adding a cone hat and text reading “She’s the First Soiree: Nov. 1, NYC.” Then Director Christen Brandt followed. Then our Researcher Maisy Page. Then our Photographer Kate Lord…now who will be next?
Have you ever started a viral Facebook trend? Well, then make this your first, whether or not you live in NYC and can attend the Soiree — because we are celebrating WORLDWIDE! Go to Picnik.com (no registration needed), and upload a photo. Then click on the “Create” tab. Click on Stickers in the navigation bar. Scroll down to “New Years” stickers in the lefthand column. Drag and drop it on your photo, add Text next, Save, Upload to Facebook — and voila! You’ve been Soiree’d. Tag She’s the First in a status update so we can check it out!
If you want us to do the work for you, just send a photo in to info@shesthefirst.org, and we’ll send you back your pic all ready for Facebook upload.
There’s a reason the word FUN is in fundraiser, right?
Big News: Shape What’s to Come Launches — and We’re Part of It!
On Monday, Levi’s — a timeless American fashion brand — will launch ShapeWhatsToCome.com in the United States, United Kingdom and Japan. It’s a global online community where Millennial women around the world can connect with peers and mentors to shape their futures! And guess what…
She’s the First is one of 10 in the entire world to serve as Ambassadors in the US/UK community! Ahh!
Tammy, the President of She’s the First, will be representing our mission as she serves as the Ambassador for Education in the Social Change category! She’ll be shooting video updates for the community about She’s the First and facilitating discussion board topics, as well as doing media interviews about how a massive study by Levi’s ties into our movement. Levi’s found that Millennial women today “prefer to engage with their peers and other women of all ages and in different parts of the world who have experiences in their areas of interest,” so that they can forge ahead in a fulfilling career path of their choosing. That’s exactly what we work to achieve through She’s the First!
We are so honored by our leadership position in this community! We believe it the voice of a generation and and on Monday, you can become a part of it! Here’s what to do:
1. Go to ShapeWhatsToCome.com and start a Profile. (It syncs up to Facebook)
Tammy's work space!
2. Add a profile image — it’s not just your headshot, but a photo of your workspace! You can add hot buttons on the items that have significance, so when someone clicks on it, you can show them text, a link or a video.
3. Plot your goals as “In.Spirals” on the world map — you can see the dreams of other young women by location and message them to collaborate or bounce ideas around.
4. Add your comments and questions to the Discussion boards! (Education is where you can spread the word about She’s the First and learn more from others on how we can grow.)
5. Watch videocasts and download free music! Last week, when the site was in beta, Tammy hosted a videocast with Today Style Editor Bobbie Thomas, which will be published to the site and YouTube page, and then Bobbie interviewed her about She’s the First! On Monday, Zooey Deschanel and Matt Ward of She & Him do a videocast at 4pm. You can download a free song of theirs here to listen to while you work on your STF event planning, like I do!
Curious to hear what you think, and now that you know She’s the First will have such a powerful presence here, I invite you to proudly represent!
The Latest from our Kisa Scholars in Tanzania….
As a school assignment, the Kisa Scholars we sponsored through GIRLS WHO ROCK were asked to write to their sponsors about the clothing of people in Tanzania. Please take a moment to give them some feedback — they’re curious to learn about clothing culture in the US and elsewhere around the world, too.
Elizabeth David
From Elizabeth David:
Hello, Today I want to talk about clothing in Tanzania. I wear skirts because they make me feel confident and free, also makes me look decent and feminine. Also it shows that I come from a decent family which has morals. I also wear dresses, them make me look and feel that I am a big girl who can tackle any challenge and a confident, respectful girl.
Grace Lyimo
From Grace Lyimo:
Hi Tammy and She’s the First,
This month we are talking about clothing in Tanzania.
When someone wears clothes you can identify who is this person and where did she/he come from. For example, here in Tanzania we have many tribes and a good example of tribes is Maasai. Maasain have their own culture of wearing their own clothes so when you see someone dressed like them you will directly know this one is a Maasai and he or she is coming from Arusha where the Maasai are originated and also when someone wear Khanga you could know this is an African girl or woman and due to that you will know where she comes from (that is Africa).Also, I am Chagga in tribe. My culture clothers are a Khanga. By wearing a Khanga I will be indentified as Chagga in tribe even though its real hard within Tanzania to recognize I am Chagga in tribe because Khanga are used by many tribe so someone could know that I am Chagga by observing the way I talk, my favorite food, etc. But, when I will go outside Tanzania, especially outside of Africa, its easy to recognize I come from Africa when I wear a Khanga.
Love Grace
Happiness Monyo
From Happiness Monyo:
I want to write about clothing to you today.
The way one dresses represents who you are and where you’re coming from due to the following reasons:In African societies every dress code one has represents your tribe. (Ex) The Rubega is the identity of the Maasai. Bulk clothes are the identify of West Africa, etc. Also taking consideration of occupation. (Eg) In the army, soldiers have a uniform which represents them as soldiers. In the hospitals, the nurses and doctors have an identity of wearing white coats, etc. In schools, students have different uniforms that distinguish them from other people, other schools, etc.
It is important to dress in a respective manner because what you wear identifies you to the society you’re in and classifies you according to behavior.
I am Happiness, the clothes I mostly wear are uniforms. My school uniform represents me as a student of Arusha Secondary and as a prefect of the school government. My other clothes code is a khanga which represents me as a Tanzanian.
Now, we invite you to write them back and tell them a bit about your favorite outfits and what they mean to you. Go for it!
A Gift That Gives Back – Introducing She’s the First Signature Bracelet
JoJo for She's the First. Photo by Chamber Images.
Ready for some breaking news? We first wanted to share it with you — our blog readers and biggest supporters — before anyone else…our bracelets are available for sale TODAY! Here’s the official press release:
NEW YORK — Fill in the blank: I’m the first in my family to __________. For millions of girls in the developing world, the answer is likely to be “first to graduate.” But they need your support to stay in school, because usually their education is not free and is considered secondary to that of their brothers. To fundraise for their tuition, on November 1, She’s the First, a nonprofit dedicated to sponsoring girls’ education worldwide, is teaming up with Billboard Top 40 artist JoJo and Atlanta-based designer Asha Patel to launch a signature bracelet, just in time for the holiday gift giving season.
“As a young woman, I feel it is my duty to encourage and support other young girls in need so they, too, can have an equal opportunity to learn and grow,” JoJo said. “I am honored to be a part of She’s The First and help raise awareness for such a worthy and important cause.”
Available now for purchase through shesthefirst.org/gifts!
The hand-assembled She’s the First bracelets, made of brass and leather, are available for order via shesthefirst.org/gifts starting on October 15 for $20 each. Asha will donate 20% from each sale to two She’s the First partners of her choosing: the Shanti Bhavan school in India and the Kenya Education Fund. This money will sponsor the education of girls who otherwise would not be able to afford tuition, contributing to two of the Millennium Development Goals that the United Nations strives to achieve by 2015: universal education and gender equality. Shesthefirst.org features a directory of carefully selected international non-profit organizations through which you can fully or partially sponsor a year of a girl’s education with the profits of your creative, affordable fundraising.
“Education has always been very close to my heart. I have witnessed firsthand the benefits it brings to a young woman’s life and am thrilled and touched to be part of this special project,” Patel said.
Together, we can be the first generation to ensure the 600 million adolescent girls growing up in the developing world receive an education. What will you be the first to do? Declare it, and then wear a reminder on your wrist with the She’s the First benefit bracelet. To see an exclusive video from JoJo about She’s the First and learn how to purchase the bracelet, go to shesthefirst.org/gifts.
Check Out Our Guest Blog Post on EndtheNeglect.org!
We are so proud that our Ambassador Kaitlin Davis was invited to guest blog about the importance of girls’ education for The Global Network for Neglected Tropical Diseases, whom she met while reporting for us during UN Week. Click here to read the piece, and please leave a comment to show our esteemed peers in the international non-profit community that there’s a force of young, vibrant voices like yours behind She’s the First!
Kaitlin's guest post