Hannah Salwen was honored as one of Glamour’s 20 Amazing Young Women at the 2010 Glamour Women of the Year Awards. Read about the other honorees here.
Name:
Hannah Salwen
Age:
18
Year in school and school if applicable:
Senior- The Atlanta Girls’ School
Your email address:
Your website:
thepowerofhalf.com
Your “claim to fame” – aka why you were part of Glamour’s 20 Amazing Young Women!:
I convinced my family to sell our house and give half of the sales price to charity.
What are you doing to change the world?
I am working with an organization called The Hunger Project and fund villages in rural Ghana.
What was your inspiration for this?
I was riding in the car with my dad and I looked to my left and saw a homeless man and then turned to my right and saw a man in a Mercedes. I toggled back and forth between the have and have-nots and realized I needed to do something about the injustices in the world.
What is a quotation or message that drives you?
“One person can make a difference and everyone should try” –John F. Kennedy
What has been your proudest accomplishment so far?
I co-authored a book with my father called The Power of Half.
At what one point did you really feel like you’d made an impact?
When I travelled to Ghana and saw the changes that The Hunger Project was making in these rural villages by providing support and workshops to encourage villagers to pull themselves out of poverty.
What would you say was the “coolest” moment in your life thus far?
I really enjoyed being on The View with Whoopi Goldberg and Brooke Shields.
What is a challenge you’ve faced while trying to achieve your goals?
While still trying to sell our “big” house, we decided to buy our “little” house. It ended up taking 2 years to sell our first one.
If someone gave you a million dollars to benefit your cause (or your research, your company, etc.) what would you use it for?
I would invest in The Hunger Project because I really feel that the work they are doing in the developing world is making a huge impact.
In 10 years I hope… to be a nurse in the developing world.
What would you be doing if you weren’t doing this?
I would be working towards being a journalist.
What 3 adjectives would people use to describe you?
Compassionate, independent, and curious.
What is your biggest weakness?
I strive for perfection.
Who is your hero and why?
Zell Kravinsky- He risked his marriage and his family to donate his kidney to one of thousands on the Kidney Donation waiting list.
Who is your biggest cheerleader, supporting you every step of the way?
My best friend Blaise and my parents are my biggest cheerleaders.
What do you like to do outside of your work?
I love to play volleyball and see good movies.
Which of this year’s Glamour WOTY award winners would you most like to meet and why?
Julia Roberts or Constance McMillen. I feel that they have important messages that everyone needs to hear and they inspire me.
What was your favorite part of Glamour’s WOTY Awards?
I loved watching the videos before the WOTY came onstage. They were well put together and inspiring.
What did you wear to Glamour’s WOTY Awards?
A dress from Reiss and black heels.
Who did you bring as your guest to Glamour’s WOTY Awards?
My best friend Anderson Pearce.
Who do you think should win a Glamour WOTY Award next year?
Oprah Winfrey, Angelina Jolie, and Sandra Bullock.
What is your favorite thing about Glamour magazine?
They have great photo shoots. Everyone looks good in Glamour.
What does “glamour” mean to you?
Beauty inside and out.
How does it feel to be honored as one of Glamour Magazine’s 20 young women who are already changing the world?
It feels great. I never needed attention for what our family did, but it’s cool to meet people like me who care about things outside of themselves.
What advice would you give to our college women readers?
Never feel that you can’t make a difference. It’s easy to get discouraged but giving to others is the best thing that you can do for yourself.