Have you ever felt a drawn to an organization knowing it was only a matter of time until you became involved? That is the story with Step Up Women’s Network and me.
My friend has been raving about Step Up, an organization offering teen empowerment and professional mentorship development opportunities for women of all ages. I knew I had to learn more about Step Up, Thank you to my friend Nicole Simonds! She invited me to their membership event, which was held at the Hotel Sax on November 12th, I then posted it on my networking calendar for all to see. Within 48 hours, Managing Director, Gina Marotta, invited me to the event. Thank you ladies!
What a fabulous night – Gina opened the evening with a call for women to “take inspired action,” which is exactly what I did when I become one of Step Up’s newest members. The goal of SUWN is to advance women in their careers and leverage the talents and skills of members to offer year-round teen empowerment programming focusing on leadership and self-esteem, college and career development and health and well being. Appropriately, Gina quoted Eleanor Roosevelt who said “there is a special place in hell for women who don’t help other women.” I wholeheartedly agree!
Felicia Hernandez a junior at North-Grand High School in Chicago and young adult member of Step Up Women’s Network praised the organization for showing her “how to rise above your past to get to your future.” The theme of inspiration rang true when her classmate, North-Grand Senior Jasmine Johnson shared that being a member of Step Up was “the best thing that ever happened to her,” and she got a laugh from the crowd when she explained that Step Up opened up networking opportunities for her “before I knew what networking was!”
I was inspired by the these amazing high school students who were so excited about their futures – full of possibilities and opportunities. I had the added benefit of hearing Genevieve Theirs, CEO of Sittercity (and professional opera singer deliver!) the keynote address. Genevieve shared stories of her inspiration for Sittercity, the largest online database matching sitters and parents (and caregivers) with over one million user profiles nationwide. Genevieve grew up the eldest of 7 siblings, and stated simply that she was “a babysitter that made choices…to help young girls.” And you can too!
Its never too late to join Step Up Women’s Network, as one of the newest members I invite you to visit their site, and ask you to do what you can to help invest in the future of women and girls! If you are inspired reading this you can “give something nice” during Step Up’s “Sugar and Spice” holiday campaign – you give $25 with all proceeds benefiting Step Up Women’s Network, a national nonprofit membership organization driving social change by connecting and advancing women and girls. For making a donation honoring a woman who has made a difference in your life – and Step Up will send her an email letting her know how special she is to you!
As if making a woman in your life feel warm and fuzzy wasn’t enough, as an added incentive for your donation you will receive 10 e-coupons for $25 each, redeemable by shopping online – featured brands include Hotel Sax and Sittercity and many more! It’s a win-win for all of the ladies in your life. Sugar and Spice runs exclusively from November 25 – December 25, 2009, and is limited to 500 e-coupon packages. For more information visit, www.suwn.org or cal 312-235-3277. Thank you in advance! (Check back for details when we get closer to 11/25!)
In the spirit of inspiring women – who are the women that have made a difference in your life? I can’t promise to email them all personally to tell them, but you should!
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