When students Jenna Meyer and Hannah Heebner heard about She’s the First, an organization that raises money to sponsor girls’ education in developing countries, they knew that they needed to start a chapter at Michigan. In 2011, with the help of 21 campus chapters, She’s the First raised enough money to sponsor 161 girls. Now, with the addition of the University of Michigan chapter, wolverines can get do their part for this worthwhile cause. Jenna Meyer took the time to talk about her hopes for the U of M chapter of She’s the First, and tell us why she is so excited to bring it to campus.
Q: How did you first learn about She’s the First?
Jenna: I first heard about She’s the First from the first annual PR workshop hosted by the Communication Studies department. During the workshop we met Tammy, the founder of She’s the First, and we were given assignments to create PR campaigns for her organization.
Q: Why did you decide to start the U of M chapter of She’s the First?
Jenna: While working on PR strategies for She’s the First at the workshop, I became really interested in the organization and in helping young girls. Education is increasingly important for the women in my family and we have all been blessed to attend great schools, so I really wanted to help other young girls have some of those opportunities as well. At the end of the workshop Hannah and I agreed to follow up with the organization and begin the process of creating a chapter here on campus.
Q: Why do you think She’s the First is a good addition to the many clubs and organizations we already have on campus?
Jenna: U of M is a world-renowned institution, and I think it is important for students to understand that we hold the power to improve education around the world. We have such a large student body that I think we could see this organization really explode in the next few years. We have many great resources here at the University that are available to us, and I really want for the girls we sponsor to be able to have the same opportunities. The organization is rapidly expanding and new chapters are developing all around the nation, and being the leaders and the best, I feel we make great candidates for the next new chapter of She’s the First.
Q: Moving forward, what are your plans for the chapter?
Jenna: We are thinking it would be great to host a tie-dye cupcake sale before the end of finals, and we are in the process of planning that. An official date will be announced very soon. We are looking to start meeting as a group over the summer and plan for things to grow in the fall. We would love to be officially recognized as a U of M club by the time school starts in September so we can recruit new members.
Q: Can you tell me anything about the Voice Your Verse poetry events taking place during the month of April?
Jenna: Voice Your Verse is one of the many great events that She’s the First uses nationally to fundraise. A poetry anthology will be published at the end of the month, and the proceeds from sales of the anthology will go to She’s the First. A large poetry night will also take place in New York City on April 17th. In addition, groups around the nation can host an Open Mic Night to raise money for the organization. Unfortunately because we are still in the early stages of our chapter, we are not able to participate in this year’s Voice Your Verse poetry events, but we hope to have some events available for students during April 2013.
Q: How can interested students become involved in She’s the First at U of M?
Jenna: Students can first visit www.shesthefirst.org to learn more about the organization, then they can feel free to email me at Jennabm@umich.edu or Hannah at hheebner@umich.edu if they would like to join our new chapter.
Q: Anything else you want to add?
Jenna: The great thing about this organization is that 100% of proceeds goes to the girls that our organization is sponsoring. The website is a great resource to visit, there are stories of the girls that are sponsored as well as some great facts about education of girls around the world.
*This is a partner post, all included opinions are 100 percent ours.