A Year of Impact: How We Built Girls’ Power Together Across the Globe
Looking back at 2024: How we empowered girls together
As we approach a new year, we’re looking back at all we accomplished in 2024 with the support of our community.
Our 2024 in a snapshot: building girls’ power in Nairobi, convening practitioners in Uganda, amplifying voices in Liberia, launching the Girls First Institute, and witnessing girls speak truth to power at the UN.
From local communities to global stages, these moments remind us of the unstoppable force of girls and their mentors—and the power we have when we work together as a movement to ensure girls have more agency in their lives.
Below, we shared photos, videos, and stories from our team’s favorite moments in 2024. What was your favorite highlight in 2024? Tell us on Instagram or LinkedIn!
Thank you for being a part of our community this year!
Girls First Summit Kenya
“I’m most proud of our 8th Girls First Summit in Nairobi, Kenya—I got to witness the programs team’s work firsthand. The evaluation data from the trainings show that the participants made changes in their communities to listen to girls, build their power, and protect them.
The highlight of my year was announcing that Kate Kiama will become my co-CEO on Jan 1st!”
—Tammy Tibbetts, Co-Founder and CEO
Girls First Summit Uganda
“Bringing the Girls First Summit to Uganda! We convened 76 practitioners from 42 organizations from all across Uganda. Florence trained the participants to use our “What Would You Do?” card game. Now we have heard amazing stories about how they’re using the game to teach girls about healthy relationships and boundaries!”
—Ceci Arriaza, Incoming Director of Programs
Ellas al Frente
“The highlight of my year was holding Ellas al Frente in person in Guatemala for the second consecutive year! In addition to the training with our cohort, we hosted an open day with leaders from 19 organizations, who brought along 40 girls.
What I am most proud of this year has also been starting the first Girls Advisory Council in Spanish with girls from different Latin American countries.”
—Dania de Léon, Programs Regional Coordinator for Latin America
Activism Programs for Girls
Three Girl Activist Fellows—Shila, Mbulwa, and Boke—at the 2024 Girls First Summit (photo by Sarah Waiswa).
“This year, I utilized my background in technology to dramatically streamline and automate what were previously hours of administrative tasks, allowing me and my team to spend more time on the most important work: one one-on-one mentorship of girls!”
—Janae Phillips, Advocacy Programs Manager
What Girls Want Campaign
“I’m so proud of the girls in our programs who participated in the What Girls Want Campaign! During the United Nations General Assembly, girls rallied near the UN to demand a voice in future planning. The campaign was a collective effort by an informal coalition of more than 20 girl-centered organizations, institutions, funders, and allies fighting for change around the world.”
—Kate Lord, Director of Advocacy & Communications
Project for Awesome
“Project for Awesome 2024 demonstrated how the She’s the First community shows up for girls everywhere. It’s always so rewarding and heartwarming to watch Chapter members, fellows, council members, donors, and long-time supporters come together to make a direct impact in funding girls’ futures. (We won a $37,000 grant together!)”
—Dani Antonio, Community Engagement Assistant
Girl-Centered Incubator Graduation
“The highlight of my year was the graduation of the first cohort of the Girl-Centered Incubator! The six fellows are phenomenal young women leaders who run impactful girl-focused organizations in their communities. Collectively, they reached 2,162 girls from five countries. Reading their stories about their three-year fellowship journey validates the She’s the First vision and mission.”
—Emma Mogaka, Training Manager
Race for Equality in Kathmandu on International Women’s Day
“Helping Sirjana tell her story for International Women’s Day was the highlight of my year. Sirjana organized a 5K in Kathmandu, Nepal. To see her run in the big city when she had been judged when she was a girl for her athleticism in her hometown was such a powerful moment, especially as she encouraged other women and girls to defy expectations with her.”
—Kayla Pate, Development Manager
Adolescent Girls Summit
Florence, far right, stands with mentors that she trained at the Adolescent Girls Summit. They are holding She’s the First resources, including the “Discover Your Power Journal,” “The Global Girls’ Bill of Rights Toolkit,” and the “What Would You Do?” card game.
“Representing She’s the First at the Adolescent Girls Summit in Liberia earlier this year was an incredible experience! I trained both girls and mentors on the “What Would You Do?” card game, an important tool for fostering critical thinking and decision-making skills in navigating real-life challenges.”
—Florence Sidi, Programs Coordinator
Girls First Institute
“In July, She’s the First officially launched the Girls First Institute! This program offers essential and advanced certifications, helping community-based organizations achieve stronger outcomes for girls. Focused on women leaders in the Global South, our girl-centered design certification strengthens our mission to build girls’ power in their communities!”
—Kate Kiama, incoming Co-CEO
Want to be a part of the movement in 2025?
Check out our Get Involved page for ways to contribute your time, funding, or dedication via joining one of our programs!