Last week, She’s the First {American} received the surprise of a lifetime when they learned that they had won $25,000 from the Project for Awesome!
Project for Awesome is an annual event, headed by John and Hank Green, when people make videos to advocate for charities they support, in order to get donations. Over the course of two days, charities received votes (and donations) for their videos advocating their cause. Videos are uploaded, the Greens give video shout-outs to various charities and the number of votes and donates rise. The top twenty most-voted charities win money ranging from $10,000 to $25,000. This year, She’s the First {American} was among the top ten charities!
Lorraine Magee, president of She’s the First {American}, says She’s the First initially entered Project for Awesome because they liked the idea of raising awareness for both their club and cause.
“We were shocked when so many people started sharing and commenting on our videos. John Green and his livestream team chose to feature videos supporting She’s the First twice. One of the videos was being featured when donations for Project for Awesome reached $1 million!”
She’s the First works to spread the fundamental human right of education through advocacy and fundraising. They advocate especially for girls’ rights and raise funds to help first generation girls attend school. American’s chapter, in particular, works with Arlington Academy of Hope in Uganda to sponsor girls. In the past, they’ve held galas, fundraisers, and an amazing Day of the Girl Summit which included inspiring female speakers and panels.
As Project for Awesome went underway, She’s the First began by launching videos explaining their cause. The first video, created by Julian Gomez, was simply an effort to get people to listen, even a few people watching and voting would have been enough for them. However, soon, more and more poeple began to notice and participate. It wasn’t until several weeks later that She’s the First heard anything at all. Magee explains that she was in a seminar when she found out that John Green had posted a video announcing the top charities – She’s the First included – and had to wait a painstaking hour before she could call Tammy Tibbetts, the founder of She’s the First. They were both speechless.
All of the money received from Project for Awesome will be going to a great place, says Magee.
“The money will continue to create scholarships for girls who will be the first in their families to graduate from high school… We couldn’t be happier that this money will unlock more opportunities for these remarkable scholars. While some people have called our videos inspirational, the true inspiration is what these girls do every single day to insure that they receive the education they deserve. We are so happy to have played a small part in their journey!”
Congratulations to She’s the First {American} for all of their hard work and continued efforts to sponsor education for all children.
