She's the First

Our team has been hard at work creating a bold vision for the future of She's the First. We are thrilled to share the culmination of that effort: The Power Plan! This three-year strategic plan lays out our programmatic goals and the steps we'll take to get there. For the next three years, we’ll focus our efforts on two main goals to increase girls’ power at multiple levels. We’ll: • Build coalitions to positively impact girls’ agency, access, and equity in community-based organizations (CBOs). • Provide girls with the foundation they need to advocate for their rights in their families, communities, and societies. For this planning process, we worked with the experts: girls! We held a series of focus groups with girls to determine the issues they most care about in this moment, noting the ways they hoped She's the First could rise to meet the challenge. Everything our staff, CBO partners, and board members contributed to the process was based on this foundation, resulting in The Power Plan. Read it, share it, and let us know how you plan to shift power to the girls in your life: https://lnkd.in/gEcka3kA #girlsrights #genderequality #shiftpower

🚨 Get to know our new Co-CEO! 🚨 In her first message in her new role as Co-CEO, Catherine Kiama reflects on STF’s incredible growth in 2024 and shares her and co-CEO Tammy Tibbetts’ bold vision for the future. ✨ “As Tammy and I firmly ground ourselves in our new roles at the turn of She’s the First’s 15th anniversary, our objective is to build powerful new partnerships to scale our model for depth and influence. Our ultimate goal is stronger outcomes for girls’ education, leadership, and agency, particularly in the Global South/majority world; by expanding and deepening our programming, we can accomplish that for more girls. At the same time, we know our mission will be more relevant than ever for girls in the U.S. as we support their activism for their rights during a fearful time in the country.” Join us to fight for a world where every girl can choose her own future! 🌍💪 #GirlsEducation #Leadership #ShesTheFirst #GenderEquality #STF15

We’re thrilled to announce that Cecilia Arriaza, previously Senior Manager, has been promoted to Director of Programs! She leads a team of women from Kenya and Guatemala who implement our Girls First Institute programs—our work to strengthen women-led, girl-centered, community-based organizations. Ceci holds two M.A.s in Mental Health and Development Studies. She brings over nine years of experience in girl-focused programs, including at MAIA Impact , one of She's the First’s partners in Guatemala. Ceci is an exceptional advocate for girls’ rights globally—please join us in congratulating her! -- ¡Nos complace anunciar que Cecilia Arriaza, previamente nuestra Gerente Sénior, ha sido ascendida a Directora de Programas! Ella lidera un equipo de mujeres de Kenia y Guatemala que implementan nuestros programas Girls First Institute, nuestra iniciativa que fortalece organizaciones comunitarias dirigidas por mujeres y centradas en las niñas. Ceci posee con dos maestrías en Salud Mental y Estudios de Desarrollo. Cuenta también con más de nueve años de experiencia en programas centrados en las niñas, incluso en MAIA Impact , uno de los socios de She's the First en Guatemala. Ceci es una defensora excepcional de los derechos de las niñas a nivel mundial. ¡Únete a nosotros para felicitarla!

Following the U.S. election results, She’s the First spoke with girls in our Chapters program who live in states and areas where women’s bodies are politicized. A university student from Arizona said that men on her campus held signs that said, “Women are property.” A girl from a high school in Texas told us that boys were walking around the hallway saying, “Your body, my choice.” We asked Allison Choong and Sania Hammad, two alums of our Girl Activist Fellowship, for their thoughts about the rise of sexist discourse and what girls can do to fight back: https://lnkd.in/eTwvvSTr #EmpowerGirls #ShesTheFirst #Feminism #GirlsRights #YouthActivism

Every girl deserves to have mentors who listen to her, a safe commute to school and the space to dream. Kavita’s journey is a testament to resilience and hope. After struggling with transportation issues that kept her from attending school, she was determined not to let anything stop her. With the support of her mentors at our partner Sahas Foundation, Kavita now has the chance to go to school every day on her new bicycle, and her dreams are becoming a reality. "I feel heard, encouraged, and confident. I believe I can do anything I’ve always wished to do." Kavita is not just going to school, she’s building a future where nothing holds her back. Help girls like Kavita break barriers and unlock their potential! https://lnkd.in/e3XsiQG4

"My mentorship lessons changed my academic performance completely. Before, I had no self-motivation to study, no goals or dreams. My mentor asked me, ‘Where will you be after finishing school?’" Challenged by her mentor, Mary Jonas buckled down in school to improve her grades. “I’m proud of myself. My future dream is to become a midwife. I want to be able to help women give birth safely.” Mentorship unlocks a world of possibilities, and Mary Jonas' growth is evidence of that. She attends mentorship sessions with our partner GLAMI - Girls Livelihood and Mentorship Initiative. Only 39% of girls in Tanzania go to secondary school. Of those, only two-thirds complete their secondary education, and only 3% go on to university. With support from you and She’s the First, GLAMI is working to change those outcomes, one girl at a time. Help girls like Mary Jonas dream, grow, and lead: https://lnkd.in/e3XsiQG4

“I’m the first lawyer in my family, and I’m driven by a desire to pave new paths and create opportunities that have never been available to us before.” – Sangita, 26 Sangita is a graduate of The Small World in Nepal, a She’s the First partner that empowers girls through education and mentorship. Now, Sangita dreams of becoming a government officer, working towards “creating fair and effective policies” and mentoring women from underrepresented communities to pursue careers in law and public service. The Small World teaches girls like Sangita that they are worthy, their dreams are possible, and their future is their own to choose. The revolution starts one girl at a time. Will you donate today to fuel girls’ dreams? https://lnkd.in/e3XsiQG4

Thrilled to be included in this roundup for our Activism Program staff’s article about yielding power to youth by shifting to girl-led advocacy campaigns! ✨ Thanks, Stanford Social Innovation Review, for highlighting Kate Lord & Janae Phillips’ advice!

Our 2024 in a snapshot: convening practitioners in Uganda, amplifying voices in Liberia, building girls' power in Nairobi, launching the Girls First Institute, and witnessing girls speak truth to power at the UN. From local communities to global stages, these moments remind us of the unstoppable force of girls and their mentors. What was your favorite highlight in 2024? Share below! Swipe through to discover our team’s favorite moments from 2024—then check out more photos, videos, and stories here: https://lnkd.in/evCMj8K9

At our long-time partner Arlington Academy of Hope Uganda, 17-year-old Mercy’s dreams are nurtured. Her ambitions are resourced, and her curiosity is fed instead of silenced. She is respected, educated, and heard. "I’m able to express myself freely. I feel loved and protected at AAH because I am listened to. They are always willing to encourage me whenever I feel like giving up. Their love, care, and courage keep me going through the highs and lows." With your support, She’s the First partners with grassroots organizations like AAH to reach girls like Mercy, who have big dreams but need resources and a safe place to learn to turn those dreams into reality. Will you make a gift today to give girls like Mercy space to dream? https://lnkd.in/e3XsiQG4 💛