Gifts That Give Back

Order a Mother’s Day E-card (Here’s Why It’s Extra Special)

This is the card we'll send to you recipients, along with your message and a link to the film "Magho"!

UPDATE: THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR ORDERS! AS OF MAY 12th, 11:40AM: ANY NEW ECARD ORDERS WILL NOT BE SENT UNTIL LATE TONIGHT…BUT WE GRATEFULLY ACCEPT YOUR DONATIONS IN HONOR OF MOM!

Mother’s Day is around the corner (May 12th!), and we’ve got a new way to celebrate the leading ladies in your lives with She’s the First. To purchase an e-card, fill out this form.

What better way to say “I love you” or “You rock!” or simply “Thank you” than by giving the gift of education? Honor the great women in your life by helping to sponsor a girl in their name. When you donate $10, we’ll send them an e-card with your personalized message. Plus, they’ll receive an exclusive link to view our debut documentary, Magho (Daughter), a short film about the power of a mother to influence her daughter’s future.
Your donation directly sponsors a girl’s education (in fact, it goes straight to sponsor the star of the film!). Any additional donations you’d like to make will also go directly toward funding her educational costs.

Simply fill out this form. Then, we’ll send the card along with your personalized message and an access code to watch the film on Sunday, May 12th, at noon. (Deadline to submit: Sunday, May 12th at 10 a.m.)

We’re excited to help you recognize all the motherly figures in your lives!

To purchase an e-card: Fill out this form. [OUR TEAM IS SPENDING TIME WITH OUR MOMS! WE WON'T BE ABLE TO SEND OUT CARDS ORDERED ON MAY 12th UNTIL THIS EVENING.]
To learn more about the film Magho (Daughter): Click here.

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‘Tis the Season for Gifts that Give Back!

The holiday gift giving season is officially here! There are even three Twitter hash tags to kick it off: #BlackFriday, #CyberMonday, #GivingTuesday. (Hint, hint: Tweet about this post after you read it!)

From Bake a Change t-Shirts to cupcake necklaces with Swarovski crystal rhinestones, the She’s the First Store has the sweetest gifts for friends, family, and world-changers on your list this year … and even a few things you’ll want to keep for yourself!

Here’s our list of the top 5 gifts that give back to She’s the First:

1. Pink Lip Collection from Jane Cosmetics – Make everyone’s “nice” list this holiday season by gifting the Pink Lip Collection — 100% of profits go to She’s the First!

2. Bake a Change Long Sleeve Thermal - Nothing will keep you warmer than a gift from the heart! Designed by students and manufactured by eco-friendly company Custom Organics, this thermal is the perfect gift for an avid baker or cupcake enthusiast — 100% of profits sponsor girls’ education with She’s the First!

3. She’s the First Bracelet – A special gift to remind your best friend or sister what she’s “first” to achieve, this “I.D” bracelet features eco-friendly leather and is handmade in the U.S.A. — 20% of each online sale will go to She’s the First to support our India and Kenya partner schools!

4. Cupcake Necklace – Show your She’s the First support (and style!) with a handcrafted Swarovski crystal-sprinkled cupcake necklace — $15 of every $20 goes to directly to She’s the First!

5. Dormify Gift Card - Just the gift for that picky college student on your list, a Dormify gift card ensures that your gift is the perfect fit — 10% of gift card sales sponsor girls’ education in the developing world!

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The She’s the First Store is OPEN!

Our She’s the First Store is open, just in time for the 2nd Annual Tie-Dye Cupcake Bake Off and holiday season!

It’s amazing to see the 3 winning and 1 runner-up t-shirts from our design contest with HerCampus.com come to life! You can also find other fun She’s the First accessories, like our signature Asha Patel Designs ID bracelet and handcrafted cupcake necklace by Ash Tree Designs.

This year, we also introduced a long-sleeve thermal option! Shirts are made high-quality by Custom Organics, Inc. We had a blast modeling them in a special photo shoot at Georgetown Cupcakes in SoHo (111 Mercer Street — go visit if you’re in NYC!) and Washington Square Park.

Sign up a team & host a tie-dye cupcake bake sale during our Bake-Off this November 12-18! We need 200 teams in all 50 states to meet our goal, and we’re getting close! Then, place your t-shirt order as soon as you can to ensure delivery by the time of your sale. They make a perfect team uniform. (Custom Organics wlil ship orders out 2x a week during cupcake season!)

Remember She’s the First products keep giving the gift of education! SHOP HERE!

Special thanks to Wix for helping us launch, Kate Lord for the beautiful photos, Georgetown Cupcakes SoHo, and Edward at Custom Organics!

Posted in Gifts That Give Back, She's the First Intern Posts, Tie-Dye Cupcake Bake-Off | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Last-Minute Mother’s Day Gift Ideas Supporting STF!

Have you been carefully planning your Mother’s Day extravaganza or is it sneaking up on you? We’ve reached crunch time, people! Do you still need a gift for that special woman who raised you?

Because after all, how do you celebrate the woman who told you truths about men, taught you when lipstick was appropriate, fought for your education, told you that it was tacky not to wear stockings and saved you from countless fashion mistakes while insisting that giving you a bowl cut as a child was a good idea?

A preview of the ecard!

By showing some love to girls across the globe? What a grand idea! How can you do that?

Well, you’ve got some options, don’t stress!

You can donate to the GIRLS WHO ROCK campaign. Your mom might have questioned your music taste in your teen years but hey, we’re pretty sure that she’d be down with a donation to help girls go to school!

When you donate in honor of your mom, we will send her an ecard Make sure you send an email to info@shesthefirst.org so we can include a personal message!

Have you done some window shopping on She’s the First? Oooo la la, take a stroll! There are lots of goodies perfect for you and your mom! Get her a bracelet, necklace or anthology with a little love note that her gift is on the way!

Be the first to make a wonderful new Mother’s Day tradition by supporting She’s the First! You can’t go wrong by giving the gift of education!

Order her a cupcake necklace

or a bracelet...

or the poetry anthology!

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Vote for STF in Baking for Good’s Contest!

Baking for Good is holding a contest this week on their Facebook page to choose their featured cause for May, and we’re in the running! If we’re featured, we’ll receive many benefits, including getting an exclusive coupon code for all of our supporters (just in time for Mother’s Day!).

Starting at noon on April 23, all you need to do is “like” their page (www.facebook.com/bakingforgood), look for the poll on their wall, and select She’s the First as the cause you would like to see featured during May. Head on over to Baking for Good’s Facebook page — it only takes a moment! As they say, “a little sugar goes a long way.”

Baking for Good's company philosophy

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Q+A with Designer of STF’s New Cupcake Necklace!

Inspired by our Tie-Dye Cupcake Bake-Off, shesthefirst.org/cupcakes

Have you seen the brand-new She’s the First cupcake necklaces on Etsy, inspired by last November’s Tie-Dye Cupcake Bake-Off? The made-with-love necklaces are $20 and donate 75% back to girls’ sponsorships!

In addition to the cuteness and the cause, there’s also a fun story behind their creation that proves the power of the press. Read our interview with the designer, Ashley Osgood, and then tweet us (@shesthefirst) & her (@TheAshTree) pics of you wearing your necklace! Use it as a conversation starter to tell people about how a cupcake really can change the world.

Ashley Osgood (tweet @TheAshTree)

STF: Tell us a little about yourself.

Ashley: I’m an artist and businesswoman. I graduated in 2010 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree and a minor in Entrepreneurial Leadership from Tufts University. I currently run an online and retail store that sells my handmade jewelry, and I also have a wedding calligraphy side business. Right now, I’m working hard in online marketing to pay off my education while living my life as creatively as possible!

STF: How did you learn about She’s the First?

The newspaper article that started it all!

Ashley: I take a train and a bus to work every day and read the Boston Metro on the way to work. I read an article featuring She’s the First, and was so inspired by their message and what they are trying to do. I looked them up when I got to work and, as I usually do with things move me, began sketching out design ideas.

STF: What drew you to She’s the First?

Ashley: I think the big sister in me (my little sister is now 16) was what responded to She’s the First. I thought, how great is this organization that cares about girls specifically, who are often denied the right to education because of their gender or living conditions. I’m a big believer also in education and the opportunities it brings.

STF: What made you decide to take action to help support She’s the First?

Ashley: After reading about She’s the First, it looked like they raised money primarily through bake sales in colleges or even middle, junior, and high schools. Being a college grad working full time without access to a school to help contribute at said bake sales, I thought I’d try something else that I could do and was good at: creative handmade jewelry.

STF: How did you come up with the idea for the cupcake necklace?

Ashley: I didn’t act on the idea right away. I found myself browsing Etsy to research and see what kind of cupcake jewelry was out there, and if there was already a design that I had a vision for. When nothing really struck me, I began to come up with my own design: a clay necklace with bright colors and fabulous rhinestone crystals. It took a few prototypes to nail the final design, but I’m so happy with how they’ve turned out!

STF: What is the process for making the cupcake necklace?

a cupcake necklace under construction

Ashley: Starting with the three clay colors — magenta, teal and white — I begin by creating the frosting and cups using silicone molds. I mix, but don’t blend, the magenta and teal to get the tie-dye look of the cupcake cup, then make a simple white “frosting” using a different mold. I press the two together, inserting a eye-loop to string the charm on a necklace. I then individually press in Swarovski rhinestones in assorted colors and shapes into the soft white “frosting.” After making a batch, I “bake” in the oven, then spray with a shiny finish to seal everything together. Then I string the cupcake on a simple silver chain necklace, and they are ready to go!

STF: How can people purchase the cupcake necklace?

Ashley: You can visit my etsy website, Ash Tree Creations, and in the “cupcake pendants” section, visit the She’s the First cupcake listing here. They are available in bulk orders, if you and your “cupcake team” all want to unite and support a cause. All cupcakes ship the same day, so you’ll be sure to get it right away!

STF: What have you learned from your involvement with She’s the First?

Ashley: Anything’s possible if you have passion and dedication. I care about this cause, as does She’s the First, and living in a world that is so connected (i.e., online and social media) makes it that much easier to connect with like-minded individuals and help make a difference.

STF: What are you the first in your family to do?

Ashley: Coming from a long family of artists, I was the first to go to Art school. My grandmother, an amazing painter, married when she was 17 and had five children. My father became a mechanic, and explored his creativity through customizing cars and motorcycles. I was the first to say, I love this and it’s what I’m passionate about — and I’m going to go for it.

STF: What advice do you have for other people that are looking to take action with She’s the First?

Ashley: She’s the First has great information about how to take action right on their website: Get a group of friends together and support one of the listings in their directory of locations. You’ll find you’ll learn a lot about each other and what you’re capable of when you’re dedicated to making a difference. I know that I did!

Interview by Rachel Molomut

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Survey: Help Create the She’s the First Online Store!

The She's the First bracelets by Asha Patel Designs (modeled here on JoJo and recently seen on The Oprah blog!) are our most popular product partnership!

Do you have three minutes to spare? Please do us a huge favor and take this quick survey for She’s the First!

In 2012, we want to open up an online store that sells products benefiting our work for girls’ education worldwide. But first, we’re listening to you. We need your help to decide what to create!

Open the survey here.

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Great Holiday Gift for a Teen — and it Gives Back to STF!

Becca Wertheim - author, cupcake queen, and STF campus leader!

Did you know the newest She’s the First*{Campus} chapter is at the University of North Carolina – Asheville, and that the impressive founder, Becca Wertheim, is already a published author? Each month, her book, Live High on Life, supports an organization through an awareness platform called Project Twelve. Project Twelve supports the most deserving organizations which help young people. For November and December, Project Twelve is supporting She’s the First, which means that a portion of all book sales will go directly toward sponsoring girls’ education in the developing world!

We asked Becca to guest blog to explain more about how she is changing the world! Take it away, Becca!

***

I’ve been an avid fan of journaling since I was seven years old, when I received my very first journal as a gift. Writing soon became one of my favorite ways to express myself. The best part was that I could write down all my crazy awesome ideas of how I would change the world, and my journal couldn’t discourage me. It couldn’t say, “Becca, those things will never happen. They’re impossible.” Instead, it was just there, full of hundreds of blank sheets waiting for me to fill them. I’d write about how I wanted to be a teacher and a motivational speaker, traveling the world and helping as many people as I could. Those were (and still are) my biggest dreams.

In high school, I started to realize that many of my friends and peers, who also had awesome goals for their life, were being discouraged from actually reaching their goals. I hated seeing friends with so much potential give up on what was important to them, and I knew that it was time for me to make a positive difference. That’s why during my junior year of high school, I decided that I wanted to write an inspirational book for teens to help encourage them to follow their dreams. The way I looked at it, if I would be able to actually write and publish a book at age 16, then that would be a perfect example of how young people can do anything they set their mind to!

My book all started with a journal entry where I was writing a list of tips and advice that I thought other teens would find helpful and inspiring. This journal entry eventually evolved into a 12-chapter book, covering topics such as loving yourself, building self-esteem, setting goals, and never giving up. The book is also filled with true stories from other teens, positive quotes on every page, and even journal prompts! Writing the book was so much fun for me, because I was able to combine two of my favorite things—writing and helping others—to make a difference. After a couple years of writing combined with lots of hard work and determination, Live High on Life was published in November 2010.

My hope for Live High on Life is that it will continue inspiring other young people to follow their dreams. Living high on life is all about creating your own happiness and living the life you’ve imagined, without letting anyone or anything keep you from reaching your dreams. For me, one of those dreams was to write a book and now that I can check that off my list, I’m excited about moving toward my dream of teaching in a developing country.

Becca at her tie-dye cupcake sale!

Whether you’re like Tammy Tibbetts, with the dream of creating a non-profit to sponsor girls’ education, or like Maggie Doyne, with the dream of building a school in Nepal, or like Linsday Brown, who envisioned the power of a tie-dye cupcake, I want young people to realize that they can do ANYTHING they set their mind to, even when it seems impossible. When we combine our HUGE dreams with passion and perseverance, then the seemingly impossible suddenly becomes possible. I mean let’s be honest…who would’ve ever thought that a week’s worth of cupcake sales could raise over $19,000!

But we did it; we made it happen. She’s the First is moving forward and shaping the future for girls’ education in the developing world. By believing in ourselves, we’re helping girls around the world believe in themselves as well. I love my generation of change-makers and I hope that all young people will find what they’re passionate about and just go for it, fearlessly. Together we are changing the world, but most importantly, we’re teaching girls in the developing world how they can change the world, too!

To support She’s the First, be sure to order a personalized copy of Live High on Life at www.livehighonlife.com! Everyone will also receive a free copy of Success for Teens with their order.

Keep dreaming BIG!
xoxo,
Becca Wertheim
@BeccaWertheim
Facebook

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Shop for the Cupcake Cause!

She’s the First has truly put tie-dye cupcakes on the map this fall — and as a result, we’re going to sponsor girls’ education around the globe! If you’re not baking this November 1-8, there are still ways you can support the cause and our goal to raise $20,000.

We partnered with four fellow members of the Young Entrepreneur Council — Annie Wang, Windsor Hanger, and Stephanie Kaplan, who are the co-founders of Her Campus, and Rebecca Zorowitz, Partner/VP of Ooh La La Candy — brought these cupcake products to life!

At the Her Campus shop, you can order any of these 7 t-shirt shirts, all made by students who won our design contest. The shirts are $16 and She’s the First receives 100% of the profits (nearly $7 of each shirt).

Photo by Kate Lord

Then, for those looking to send a candy gram surprise to a friend, family member, or business client, Ooh La La Candy has candy cupcakes! 50% of the $6.95 cupcakes goes to sponsor girls with She’s the First.

 

 

 

 

 

 

If you do purchase these, be sure to tweet us pics we can share!

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Increase Your Impact with Asha Patel Designs on November 1

Trends come and go, but there are certain pieces that will always remain classic. For us at She’s the First, the ultimate classic accessory that is both stylish and has the power to change the world is the She’s the First bracelet by Asha Patel Designs. The magenta and teal bracelets that have been gracing the wrists of She’s the First supporters for over a year not only have a unique design, but 20% of every purchase goes to sponsoring a girl’s education through She’s the First.

Tammy Tibbetts, STF founder and president, and Asha Patel, designer of the She's the First bracelet, at the She's the First Soiree on November 1, 2010.

 

But on November 1st, we have the opportunity to make even more of an impact for girls worldwide, in partnership with APD! On November 1st, She’s the First’s second birthday, Asha Patel Designs will be generously donating 50% of bracelet proceeds from online sales to girls’ scholarships. Asha says:

“Asha Patel Designs is so happy to be a part of such a wonderful organization that supports womens’ education worldwide.  I will be celebrating the STF 2nd birthday from Atlanta this year and hoping to make a difference in the world one bracelet at a time.”

So, it’s time to start brainstorming some gift ideas to up your impact! Try these out:

  • Holiday gift for a friend
  • Teacher or professor holiday gift
  • Hairdresser thank you gift
  • Gift for your co-worker or client
  • Gift for your own wrist

Get your gift list ready and check out Asha Patel Designs on November 1st!

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Buy a Bracelet and Support Girls in Guatemala and Nepal!

With our second birthday and Tie-Dye Cupcake Campaign both happening this week, there’s a lot happening at STF headquarters. But we’re also excited to announce that this year, proceeds from Asha Patel’s She’s the First bracelet will be supporting girls’ sponsorships in Guatemala and Nepal!

Whether you’re looking for the gift that gives back or for a stylist way to show your support, check it out here and help us sponsor girls in the developing world.

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She’s the First Now on Facebook Causes!

We’ve all been faced with the classic birthday present dilemma – what do you give to the person who has everything? We settle for presents like movies we’ve seen 10 times or sweet smelling candles, gift certificates for dinners out, or new books. Let’s make it simpler this year – for everyone!

The author of this post plans to donate her birthday, too!

Birthdays are a cause for celebration, so use yours to support a cause close to your heart. By donating your birthday to She’s the First, you can encourage your social network to give a different kind of gift this year – the gift of education.

 

She’s the First just debuted its Facebook Causes page here! After joining our cause, you’ll see a link that recommends using “Birthday Wishes,” or donating your birthday to make a difference. From there, the process is self-explanatory. Simply enter your birthday and the age you’ll be turning, choose She’s the First as your selected cause, and select your suggested donation amount. You may then post your “Birthday Wish” to your Facebook wall. Invite your friends and family (or your entire social network!) to support your goal of sending a girl in a developing country to school! To learn more about the schools where you can sponsor a girl, follow this link.

“Birthday Wishes” are simple and sweet and education, of course, is the gift that keeps on giving.

Posted in Fundraising Ideas, Gifts That Give Back, Online Fundraising | 5 Comments

Ready for Mother’s Day?

Don’t forget — this Sunday, May 8, is Mother’s Day! We’re sure you have something special planned, but if you’re looking to give Mom an extra surprise in her inbox, look no further. Our She’s the First e-cards feature poetry from girls around the world, and we even have a special Mother’s Day design. They’re $4 each, and all profit goes toward sponsoring a girl at Project Education Sudan.

Show your Mom your appreciation for all she’s done, and change a girl’s life.

Happy Mother’s Day from She’s the First!

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Watch This 14-yr-old’s YouTube Video for She’s the First

A couple weeks ago, we blogged about the fantastic how-to videos of Katy Bellote (hellokatyxo), who showed her followers how to make the signature She’s the First tie-dye cupcakes.  Now, another She’s the First fan, 14-year-old Alanna (coachstar59), has hit the YouTube scene! Inspired by Katy’s videos and the upcoming GIRLS WHO ROCK concert, Alanna made a video promoting her giveaway of a She’s the First bracelet to one lucky winner.  20% of the proceeds from these genuine leather and brass bracelets beautifully crafted by Asha Patel Designs support She’s the First. Asha chose to support the India & Kenya partners of She’s the First, Shanti Bhavan and the Kibera School for Girls.

Leave a comment on her video and you’ll be in the running for the bracelet!

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STF Bracelets in Atlanta with Asha Patel & lululemon athletica

me with Asha

When I heard about the She’s the First fundraiser at lululemon in Atlanta, I thought, ‘Yoga, jewelry, and it is all for a great cause…How could there be a better way to spend a Saturday afternoon?’  I headed over to the historic Marietta Square in my athletic gear with my camera by my side, ready for a fun time.  This event and everyone involved were all amazing! All of the staff at lululemon were excited to be helping out She’s the First which was so exciting.

I got to meet Asha Patel, one of the organizers of the event and she had her beautiful magenta and teal ‘She’s the First’ bracelets with her, along with some other pieces from Asha Patel Designs.  Being a jewelry lover, of course I had to pick up one of the bracelets.  I am so lucky to have met Asha, she is an amazing person doing work worldwide for those in need.  I was excited to find that we have many interests in common; our love of helping others, making jewelry, and travelling to name a few.

a She's the First info session and benefit bracelet sale at lululemon in Marietta, Georgia, Feb. 5th

The highlight of my day was doing yoga with Asha and the lovely ladies of lululemon. Asha spoke movingly about She’s the First at the beginning of our yoga session and our instructor Isabelle Casey ended our session on the same note.  There was a great turn out at lululemon, we almost overflowed the room where we did our yoga!  I had such a wonderful time meeting everyone and spreading word about She’s the First. I wish every Saturday could be like this one.

teal She's the First bracelet (donates 20% back to STF sponsorships!)

If you missed the Marietta event and you would like to have your very own Asha Patel signature  ‘She’s the First’ bracelet, don’t worry! You can find them on her website ashapateldesigns.com.  For every bracelet, 20% goes to She’s the First…now that’s what I call fashionable philanthropy.

Thank you so much to the organizers and all who attended; especially Asha, lululemon, Isabelle, and my dear friend Maisy, a She’s the First Researcher who told me about this event!

See more photos on Flickr!

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Sweet News: We Sponsored TWO More Girls in Tanzania

Students in the Village Schools International Program

We have incredibly exciting news to continue the amazing start to our New Year! One of our business partners, Baking for Good, an online bake sale that supports meaningful causes, raised $115 for She’s the First, just enough to sponsor a girl at Village Schools International in Tanzania!

But wait, if you can believe it, there’s more: remember back in April when we announced that there was an anonymous couple who was so inspired by young women at Notre Dame who raised enough money to sponsor two girls at VSI, that they pledged to match all contributions to VSI through She’s the First? Back then, we thought the couple’s pledge was up until October 2010, but it turns out the donors are STILL matching all She’s the First donations towards VSI — so the $115 raised by Baking for Good will be DOUBLED, which means that we will be able to sponsor TWO girls at Village Schools International!

We couldn’t be more ecstatic, especially because VSI’s founder Steve Vinton just shared with us that VSI is gearing up to open their 20th school — yes, 20th — on January 17th in the village of Lyapona!

“We’ve been spreading the word that we want every kid to come from that village and from the surrounding villages, and we are hoping that there will be many girls coming — so every scholarship is important,” says Vinton. “Looks like people really did ‘bake for good!’”

With the news that our generous anonymous donors are continuing to match donations, we are encouraging potential sponsors and college chapters to choose VSI as a school where you’d like to sponsor a girl. Just like Baking for Good, the funds you raise can help not just one girl, but two, get the education she deserves.

Special thanks to Baking for Good (which donates 15% from your purchases to She’s the First), these generous anonymous donors, and Steve Vinton at Village Schools International!

Posted in Baking, Village Schools International | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

She's the First Flip Video Cams Debut!

The most exciting part of my day (other than finishing my ridiculously long midterm paper) was by far ordering my brand new She’s the First Flip Video Cam! I personally chose the She’s the First 360 design, pictured left, as I will be taking it with me on my trip to Guatemala to visit Starfish One by One, a STF partner program, with Christen Brandt and Kate Lord in January. (She’s the First 360 is the travel series piloted this summer in Peru.) My first project with my Flip Video Cam, however, will be filming all of my dad’s friends wishing him a happy birthday for his birthday this week!

There are five other fabulous designs, including one by GIRLS WHO ROCK artists, Lenka and MoZella! These will make great gifts for the upcoming holiday season. For every camera purchased, $10 goes to AfricAid, our Tanzania partner program that was also the beneficiary of 2010′s GIRLS WHO ROCK concert. Ready, set…action!

[Editor's Note: Maisy is a Researcher for She's the First.]

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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.

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Our Photo Shoot with JoJo for STF Bracelet Campaign

JoJo's tweets always bring more support to our cause!

What’s this She’s the First photo shoot written of in the popular entertainment blog Just Jared Jr. all about, you ask? Well, if you missed our tweets last Sunday (and JoJo’s own, see right), we were down at Chamber Images Studios in Brooklyn with photographers Chris and Frank, hair stylist Jeff Chastain, makeup artist Ivy Ermert, fashion stylist Rey…and of course, our star supporter, singer Joanna Levesque (JoJo). She is modeling the bracelets designed by Asha Patel Designs, which will go on sale in October online and officially launch at our Nov. 1st Soiree in NYC. The bracelets will not only show solidarity among all the young women who wear them, but Asha will also donate 20% of the $20 cost to She’s the First, funding sponsorships in India and Kenya.

Stay tuned for more images and details…thanks to Just Jared Jr.’s for this teaser for now!

Thanks to this blog post, 90 people watched our PSA yesterday!

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The Link Between Miss America & She’s the First: More Powerful Than You Think!

Kaitlin Davis with the teen pageant contestant, Mackenzie, whom she inspired to host a She's the First fundraiser of her own -- resulting in a sponsorship at Maggie Doyne's school in Nepal!

When you think of pageants, I’d wager the first thing that comes to mind isn’t education. In fact, I have a nagging feeling that the word is more likely to drum up images of overly teased hair or a young lady from South Carolina who became famous for an answer she never meant to give. That saddens me, more than a little bit, because I’ve spent the last three years pursuing the Miss New Jersey crown and I can tell you that it’s so much more than that.

The “pageant girls” I know are bright and motivated—anxious and eager to make a difference in the world around them, and to pursue an education that will give them the keys to do so. I know titleholders who aspire to medical school, law school, business school, and careers in education, the non-profit sector, media, and more. In fact, that’s why I got involved… I needed scholarship money to pursue my education. I knew that attending college was imperative to my future, to achieving my goals. I stayed involved because I quickly realized how one rhinestone accessory gave me the power to make a difference in the community.

Joyce Auyuma, the student Kaitlin sponsors in Kenya at the Kibera School for Girls

Joyce Auyma, the student Kaitlin sponsors in Kenya at the Kibera School for Girls

I guess it’s no surprise then why I fell in love with She’s the First. Much like the young women I’ve developed relationships with through the pageant community, She’s the First is a made up of savvy, intelligent young women who are passionate and strong-willed, constantly dreaming up new ideas of how to change the world. Furthermore, they take their work seriously. They know that their actions may motivate others to do the same, and that they are paving the way for generations of young women to come. Above all, they recognize the power of education to make a dream a reality.

You might have read about how I chose to sponsor the education of a girl in Haiti as my gift to this year’s Miss New Jersey contestants. The girls were incredibly receptive and anxious to know more about what She’s the First is and does—many of them have even volunteered to help with a fundraiser I’m planning for later this summer. Since then, a teen contestant has begun her own efforts to sponsor a girl, several parents and friends have expressed their interest and support in attending upcoming events, I’ve been able to sponsor a second young lady at the Kibera School for Girls, and we’re ordering “tiara” cookies from our new partner, Baking for Good, as a “send-off” gift for a young lady leaving for her first national pageant. I’m so thrilled! More importantly, I am so proud that She’s the First is demonstrating the power of young women everywhere to come together to impact significant change.

Miss New Jersey group shot -- Kaitlin is third from left in front row, in white T-shirt.

Miss New Jersey group shot -- Kaitlin is third from left in front row, in white T-shirt.

My involvement in both organizations has taught me one big lesson: the power of education is unparalleled. You are capable of accomplishing anything you dream of, if only you are given the keys to do so. The Miss America Organization gave me a key that I needed, and I believe that She’s the First is only just beginning to provide the tools that will change the lives of girls around the world.

Hairspray and textbooks—who ever would have guessed?

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