American Giving Awards

What She’s the First Means to Me

She’s the First has helped transform the lives of these girls around the globe, as we’ve funded 300 sponsorships to date with your creativity, cupcakes, and generosity. We have the privilege of working with 8 extraordinary international organizations. We’ve also grown to mentor 40 campus chapters, who are redefining what it means to be a leader, learning to speak up for equality, and choosing to pursue careers of passion and purpose.

We asked a few of our dedicated volunteers how She’s the First has impacted their lives.

We hope you’ll consider their point of view when casting your vote in the American Giving Awards, and more importantly, when asking your network to do the same!

Maisy Page, former intern and researcher

Little-known secret: Liz (left) is also a star player onour summer kickball team!

Liz Stoltz of Ithaca College: “She’s the First taught me that change begins with asking a girl one simple sentence, “What will you be the first to do?” Because of She’s the First, I’ve learned that change begins with a single cupcake, a line of poetry, a single question, but it doesn’t stop there. I’ve learned that change starts in a classroom, but it doesn’t end there either. When we ask this question, we set in motion a movement. It’s a movement that dares a girl to dream, celebrates her accomplishments and connects her with the education, resources and support she needs to relentlessly believe in her dream and herself. Through She’s the First, I’ve learned that one question, one girl, one dream at a time, we ignite change that uplifts us all.”

Kate Lord, our photographer--in one of the rare photos she did not take!

Kate Lord, Photographer: “Nonprofit organizations are my favorite clients. It gives me a warm-and-fuzzy feeling to be able to use beautiful imagery to show the world the good they do. But the true joy in working with these organizations is in meeting the amazing people that they help.

I’ve been working with She’s the First since it was founded a little more than three years ago. She’s the First is a nonprofit that sponsors girls’ education worldwide, helping them become the first high school graduates in their families. By encouraging young Americans to lead their own creative fundraisers and interact with sponsored girls, we foster leadership and global awareness here at home.” Read more on her blog here…

Stephanie is sunshine in every meeting, at every event!

Stephanie Scott, Press Committee Chair: “She’s the First has taught me how to use my voice for social change. As a professional communicator, I am proud to share the stories that this powerful organization for girls education has done and will continue to do with all of our support.”

Anita is in the black shirt, always cheering us on!

From Anita Colby, Marketing Maven: “She’s the First helps me make a difference and boosts my sense of purpose! Just writing that brings a huge smile to my face. When you’re helping educate girls in the developing world AND helping foster leadership skills and confidence in young women in the US–you know you’re making a difference! Plus, I’ve learned such valuable new skills and made incredible friends.  What could be better than that!”

Join our team & let’s do this together! Recruit as many people as you can to vote at http://bit.ly/VoteSTF before midnight on December 4th!

If Your Birthday is Nov. 27-Dec. 4, Read This!

Becca Wertheim, the She’s the First campus chapter president at the University of North Carolina-Asheville, had a brilliant idea to help She’s the First gain more votes to win the American Giving Awards, so I asked her to share it with all of you! If your birthday falls on Nov. 27-Dec.4, we hope you’ll be inspired to follow her lead!

“My 21^st birthday is on November 27^th and I’m super excited. This year is a very special year for me not only because I’m turning 21, but also because my favorite organization is in the running to win one million dollars for girls’ education. When I found out that She’s the First was part of NBC’s American Giving Awards I was so happy, but when I found out that online voting begins on my birthday, I was stoked! I knew there had to be a way to use my birthday to get more votes.

Since American Giving Awards voting begins on November 27th, I want to celebrate my birthday on social media by promoting the contest to all my Facebook friends. When I think of birthdays I think of Facebook and how for that one day out of the year, you have so many people visiting your page. Every time someone posts on my wall, I’m going to reply back with a genuine “thank you” but also ask that they help me celebrate my BIG 21^st by clicking the link and voting for She’s the First.

With just one click, friends and family can fulfill my birthday wish and potentially the wish of a girl in a developing country to receive an education. My hope is that all She’s the First supporters who have birthdays between November 27^th and December 4^th will join me in donating their birthday to She’s the First by kindly asking friends and family to vote!”