August 21, 2019) Catherine Read interviews several student ambassadors from the nonprofit organization She Rocks the World. This all-female, student-led organization aims to empower teenage girls to fearlessly use their own voice in order to live their biggest lives.
In the first segment Catherine speaks with Devina Bawa and Ashwathi Mathai. They provide a clear understanding of what the organization is all about, and why it has been instrumental in their personal growth. She Rocks the World is open to girls in grades 7-12 who are interested in exploring who they are, as well as those who are looking for ways to speak up for what they believe in.
Every month the girls schedule a meeting at a different company in the region, and use the opportunity to learn new things as well as network with female professionals. It is eye opening for the girls to meet successful professional women, and hear the stories of their life journeys. It helps the young women understand that there are many paths, and many options, as they embark on their life.
Often times, these women have had a windy road to get them where they are. The girls enjoy hearing about how the women found their way to their current place, and about how they have found joy and fulfillment in their careers. This is especially true even if it may not have been a job that they considered when they were young.
Both Devina and Ashwathi truly value these networking opportunities. They have discovered at a young age that networking is an important tool for success in the world. They also note that they have met some amazing people that they continue to stay in touch with. Many of these women are willing to be available when the girls have questions about careers, professions, college, etc.
Additionally, each meeting includes something informative to help the girls live their best lives. Whether it is a session on mindfulness, stress relief or public speaking, the goal is for participants to take something home with them that will help them grow and prosper. The organization also has a leadership council that pairs older high school girls with younger middle school girls. This is very useful because it allows the younger girls to better understand the organization’s culture, and gives them the tools that they need to succeed.
A few examples of topics include building self-esteem, developing healthy coping skills, recognizing inner beauty, and the importance of friendships. The workshops are free of charge, and Gorman simply advertises by word of mouth. They have become so popular that they attract approximately 160 girls a month, and are staffed with over 30 volunteers. These girls are looking for positive role models, and are thirsty for programs that speak to them.
(Aug 2017) Maybe a record of someone’s private thoughts is worthless anywhere. Certainly in jail — contraband is worth more. But I wondered if it was especially worthless in the Delta, where a calm place to read was hard to come by; where there wasn’t a bookstore for a hundred miles and families couldn’t afford a book, anyhow; and where a teacher once burst into my classroom to scold me for having the kids write about the death of a classmate, not wanting them to feel sympathy for him.
An excellent book that reinforces much of what I believe about the value of giving. The pivotal idea in this particular book is that there is more than one way of being a “Giver.” Author Adam Grant, the youngest tenured professor at the Wharton School, presents compelling research on the nature of human interactions relative to professional success. He identifies three main personality types: Givers, Takers and Matchers. He opens the book by sharing research that shows some of the least successful people in businesses are Givers. He follows that up with the secondary revelation that so are some of the mostsuccessful people.