After learning about Bessie Coleman and how she went from being a manicurist to being the first female African American Pilot, one of my mentees was inspired! The next week at mentoring (the week after Halloween), we asked our girls what they wore for Halloween. And the girl, who was inspired by Bessie Coleman the week before, yelled out “I was going to be a witch but then I decided to be Bessie Coleman instead.” I was overjoyed...

Kaliah is a third grader in Medford, Massachusetts. She loves Strong Women, Strong Girls and her mom shares that she is “so excited by the program!” During the first semester, Kaliah reflected on some of the skills she learned from the SWSG mentors and curriculum. In Kaliah’s words: “I have learned a lot from SWSG. I’ve learned that when you’re determined to do something, you don’t give up and you...

As many professional women can attest, we have had to work harder, scratch and crawl and fight the glass ceiling to achieve success. I don’t want future generations to struggle with the double standard and that is why I am inspired to help college-aged women through mentoring. I was introduced to SWSG’s Mentor2Mentor (M2M) program by the director of our local Small Business Development Center. Although I have participated for only three...

Asia, a mentor in the Mentor2Mentor program, describes the importance of being a role model. “One thing I’ve realized through participating in the Mentor2Mentor program is just how complex young women’s lives are today. Between her family responsibilities, volunteer work, school responsibilities, and social life, my mentee’s schedule is just as full as mine! It’s a privilege to work with ambitious young women who are reaching out...

Strong Women, Strong Girls is about life changing relationships.  Annie, a mentor at Northeastern University, describes the mutual empowerment she and her mentee, Francesca experienced through their participation in Strong Women, Strong Girls: “In a spectacular twist of fate, as a mentor with Strong Women, Strong Girls, I was placed at a site in Dorchester where special needs children are taught in the same environment as general...

Strong Women, Strong Girls focuses on researched-based skills for success. Specific skills are taught each week during mentoring sessions to help each girl develop that skill. Marie participated in Strong Women, Strong Girls for two years in Pittsburgh. Originally, she was very shy and sat by herself in the corner. With support from her mentors, Marie learned that she had specific skills and unique talents and abilities. “I loved Strong...