Strong Women, Strong Girls is proud to be a recipient of an AAUW Community Action Grant! The American Association of University Women has awarded SWSG a two-year grant to expand its Strong Leaders program from 2012-2014.
Since 1972, Community Action Grants have provided funding to individuals, AAUW branches and state organizations, and local, community-based nonprofit organizations for innovative programs that promote education and equality for women and girls. Special consideration is given to projects that focus on girls’ and young women’s achievement in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Projects must be collaborative and female-focused and bring together AAUW branches, schools, and local community groups and nonprofits. They range from all-girl summer science camps to computer classes for homeless women to trainings on how to run for elected office.
Strong Women, Strong Girls was thrilled to receive a Community Action Grant to support its growing Strong Leaders program in Boston. With this program, SWSG has become a uniquely multi-generational mentoring program. SWSG pairs professional women, known as Leadership Coaches, with the college women who serve as mentors in SWSG’s core afterschool programming. Through monthly meetings, Coaches support the undergraduate coachee as pre-professionals, mentors to girls, and emerging leaders. With this focus on fostering female leadership, SWSG and AAUW align strongly.
“AAUW Community Action Grants empower recipients to be leaders in their communities and in the lives of women and girls through innovative ideas and programs,” said Gloria Blackwell, AAUW director of fellowships, grants, and international programs. “AAUW understands the power of local community impact to break through barriers for women and girls, and we put our money toward initiatives that align with our mission to advance equality for women and girls.”
Since 1888, AAUW has provided more than $90 million to 11,000 fellows and grantees. Read their press release about this year’s awards on their website. To find out more about this year’s exceptional class of awardees, visit the online directory.
Strong Women, Strong Girls looks forward to reporting on successes as the Strong Leaders program grows!