My name is Stephanie Guza and I am a senior at Sacred Heart in Greenwich and in the fall I will be attending the University of Richmond. The honest reason why I joined LiveGirl was because of my mom. She discovered this unique organization that she thought would help me grow into a strong young woman. She loved and supported their mission of helping girls become confident leaders, and once I did my research I fell in love with every aspect of LiveGirl. I remember showing up to one of the Youth Advisory Board meetings as a Junior and ever since that Saturday afternoon I knew that LiveGirl was going to change me.
With their countless opportunities for middle and high school girls, they opened the doors for many many girls who will make a positive impact in our world. Last March there was a #GirlBoss contest for anyone who had a “big idea.” And around the same time, it so happened that my younger sister and I discovered a new project we wanted to do: spread awareness about the issue of period poverty. We randomly watched one YouTube video, got inspired, and entered the contest.
Once we were selected as one of the three winners, Sheri and Alison were so eager to help us move our project along. After doing multiple feminine products drives at my school, donating to local non-profit organizations, creating an Instagram page and a website, speaking to different audiences about my community service and inspiring more girls to make a difference, looking back on the past year, I couldn’t have done any of that without the guidance and support of LiveGirl. I had the opportunity to serve as a role model for the high schoolers who joined the LiveGirl League and was so thankful to give the girls some advice about starting a project. Seeing change happen in front of my eyes shows the impact one organization can have on so many girls.
What makes LiveGirl so special is their ability to spread their message to not only girls but women who are already leaders in the workforce, their communities, and in the country. From their amazing network of women, having them come to LiveGirl events gives the girls a once in a lifetime opportunity to see someone impactful directly speak to them about their experiences and how they became strong female leaders. Along with the girls at every leadership summit, I was amazed to listen to and meet a handful of inspirational women and even talk to them about the work I was doing to make a change.
On top of having those unique moments with the new adults I would meet, forming new connections with the girls was something new and rewarding for me. Realizing that I, a teenager, can be a role model for someone else who isn’t related to me is empowering. Seeing the girls at each event come together and express themselves in discussions impresses me every time because they are carrying out LiveGirl’s mission. LiveGirl is the best organization that brings everyone from all types of backgrounds together, and I am so happy and blessed to be a part of this amazing community of strong girls and women.
Thank you
