Student Spotlight | Student Voices | Affirmation E-cards | Alumna Spotlight | About the Girls’ Education Team
Since the launch of International Day of the Girl in 2012, there’s been greater awareness of issues affecting girls and young women across the globe. Yet, despite this increase in focus and attention, our girls still face limited rights and opportunities that hinder them from reaching their full potential. Despite these challenges, girls and young women worldwide are solidifying their roles as changemakers. Their resourcefulness, creativity, tenacity, and resilience make our communities better and stronger for ALL people.
This International Day of the Girl, join us in celebrating our network of girls and women–and learn what inspires and motivates them for a brighter future!
Student Spotlight: Victoria, NYC Votes Youth Ambassador
Victoria is a junior at our CollegeBound Initiative (CBI) partner school, Marble Hill International School. Though she’s not yet old enough to vote, she knows this is an important civic duty and has undertaken a role as an NYC Votes Youth Ambassador. Read what Victoria has to say about her passion and involvement with NYC Votes:
I sat on the cold tiles of my living room floor seated in a circle with my siblings around the Monopoly board. “This isn’t fair!” I exclaimed loudly; I’ve just gone bankrupt and watched as all my properties were handed to my sister. A part of my nine-year-old self wanted a rule that supported players who constantly went bankrupt like myself. Or at least a pass that gave us a chance to skip bankruptcy. But of course, this wasn’t possible, and I understood that as I took my seat out of the game.
As a young adult, I have had similar experiences where things in my community seemed beyond my control. The climate crisis as we all suffered heat strokes on long summer days or even animal cruelty as cats like a stray I take care of is left in basements to fend for themselves. These issues inspired me to participate in a program where I would be educated about democracy, issues in my community, and New York City as a whole.
Student Voices: Our Time Is Now!
We asked our students at TYWLS and YWLN affiliate schools to tell us what they’re passionate about, and share some ideas on how their generation can take action now towards equal rights and a brighter future. They also talked about why their generation gives them hope and motivates them.
We can take action today towards equal rights and a more equitable future if we band together in the present, which is right now. Today, young people are divided and separated into their own little groups, but if we look after each other and stand as a united front, we will be able to break barriers and work together to make the world more equal for all; one of us a can’t make change by ourselves, but all of us can be the change if we work together.
Kasana, TYWLS Queens, ’27
A cause that I am passionate about is breaking the stigma around mental health. Two of my peers and I have a mental health service called NAV, which is short for “Navigation”. NAV is a mental health organization that provides teens (ages 13-18) with mental health resources. We have come up with two solutions on how to help teens navigate through mental health challenges. Our first solution is our Instagram page (@nav_igation_), where we post daily mental health practices. That is also the platform that we use to have one-on-one conversations with teens and build a deeper connection with our users. Our second solution is to host mental health sessions and seminars where we talk about different topics based on mental health.
Amera, Baltimore Leadership School for Young Women (BLSYW)
I am passionate about more equality for women. I think that women should be treated and given the same as any other gender and that there should be no gender discrimination. Another cause I’m passionate about is LGBTQ+ rights. Everyone should be appreciated for who they are and not discriminated against for what they identify themselves as. I make a safe and welcoming environment for everyone and let them know that they are respected and all equal here.
Mahiea, TYWLS Queens ‘27
As a member of Generation Z, this generation gives me hope for the future because we are really trying to acknowledge the faults of the people before us and trying to do better. One app that many teens and young adults use today is TikTok, and like all social media, it has its pros and cons. However, I see so many young people encouraging each other to take on healthier habits than the ones imposed on us by our parents. I remember seeing a lady hesitant to let her son jump in puddles because her mother used to get mad at her if she got her clothes dirty, but seeing how happy her son looked and how harmless it was, it made her get up and jump with him.
Makula, TYWLS Queens ‘24
I have gained confidence that this generation can push through all of the wrongdoings of other generations and start anew. I believe this generation can have a better future. People I have worked with over the years have shown me they can push past anything negative if we can all work and bring ourselves together. We have the ability to speak with passion and with our true voice.
Melena, Young Women’s Leadership Academy of Las Vegas ’26
Shoutout to the girls in your life!
Have a girl in your life that inspires you? Let them know with one of our special edition Day of the Girl affirmation e-cards!
[ecards id=5201 poweredByLink=true]
Alumna Spotlight
Alexa is a proud CBI alumna and has come full circle as one of our directors of college counseling (DCC) at Central Park East located in the same neighborhood where she grew up and attended high school (TYWLS East Harlem). We asked Alexa what drives her to return to her community and how her role shapes students’ futures.
I am all about breaking generational curses for my students. Many of them will be waymakers for future generations and change the trajectory of their family legacies.
Alexa L.
Let’s Hear It For the Girls’ Education Team!
Our Whole Girl Education framework emphasizes leadership and our all-girls schools are incubators for strong, well-rounded leaders. SL Network’s Girls’ Education team has decades upon decades of experience in fostering positive school communities that center and seek to elevate our students’ voices. Visit our blog for more stories and updates about our girls’ education work.
Our time is now…
)
I’m passionate about how us as women have the power and development to impact society through good deeds.
Jah’niyah, Young Women’s College Prep ’23
I’m really passionate about changing the world. I want to help others with their mental health because that’s a big target today in our generation. I feel like we need to speak more about our situation and problems we all got through. I don’t like seeing people struggle and knowing I can’t really do anything is sad but I know we can talk about it.
Kanye, TYWLS ’23
This generation gives me hope is because we take challenges with positive mindsets to overcome them. It is important to not let the obstacles of life let you down, so you can keep doing your very best, and this generation has lots of strength to encounter situations properly in order to keep striving.
Najifa, TYWLS Queens ‘27
)
Young people can take action toward equal rights by making posters and speeches on why it is important, going to some demonstrations, and protesting. Perhaps we can visit other schools and come together.
Arianna, TYWLS Brooklyn ‘25
Us women need to shine and by expressing ourselves we can empower the girls of the future like my little sisters and cousins.
Vanasia, YWCP 2025
Me and other young people can take action and work toward equal rights by speaking up and using our voices. We can be aware of indirect discrimination towards us or one another such as race, pregnancy and religion.
Janya, TYWLS Brooklyn ‘23
)
We need to increase our knowledge on the world around us and gather information so we can have rights for everyone.
Anaya, TYWLS Brooklyn ‘25
We can work on equality for all by being more positive with everyone and with everything we do. My generation gives me hope for the future because we are given more advantages than what our elders had.
Jennessa, TYWLS ‘25
We can stop trying to fight for one side or think one group is better than the other. It is important to remember that we all should love each other as who we are.
Marie, Young Women’s Leadership Academy (YWLA) of Las Vegas ’28
)
I and the young people around me have the opportunity to actively participate in the fight for equality. Now that we live in a technology-filled world, we can raise our voices and spread awareness in the publicity of the internet.
Meylani, TYWLS Queens ‘27
One way I feel we can take action is actually talking about the experinces most women face, not just of the women who have succeeded so people can understand the serious dangers we face outside.
Rosa, TYWLS ’25
Our generation gives me hope for the future because they are more advancements being made by young people. Especially young women, they prove to people that even women can do anything they wish to do.
Rabia, TYWLS Queens ‘27
)
Protest!
Angelee, TYWLS ‘25
If we learn to speak up for ourselves and push things that we want in life to happen we have to try to do it without adults helping us with every step of the way. This generation gives hope for the future because we are speaking our minds and implementing our ideas in our community and our society in general.
Ma’ryah, Baltimore Leadership School for Young Women (BLSYW)
Young people like me can spread their ideas through social media and influence other people. Young people also need to let adults know that we are not as naive as they think we are.
Edlyn, TYWLS Queens ‘24
)
Volunteering is an opurtinutity to help and get community service.
Jane, TYWLS ‘27
My generation gives me hope for the future because we aren’t shy to defend ourselves and we make sure to keep our voices heard on important topics.
Melba, TYWLS Brooklyn ‘23
Almost all young people are on social media in their free time, they can post positive awareness posts toward equal rights and a more equitable future for all. Today, social media influencers have so much power to change the way how people think and most of the social media influencers are young, so they can also spread awareness and encouragement toward equal rights and a more equitable future for all.
Anny, TYWLS Brooklyn ’24
