By Ceci Arriaza, Director of Programs
At a time when the U.S. and other governments are rejecting words such as “women,” “equality,” inclusive,” “multicultural,” “Indigenous,” “intersectional,” and “diversity,” She’s the First is building the power of them.
This past February in Guatemala, we hosted the in-person activities of Ellas al Frente, which is our core program in Latin America. Ellas al Frente invests in Central American women-led organizations that are turning to girl-centered programs to address rising rates of gender-based violence and strengthen their communities.
In 2022, we launched Ellas as a 3-year fellowship initiative with 6 community-based organizations (CBOs) in Guatemala, El Salvador, and Honduras. With seed grants, coaching, and group training from She’s the First and our partner MAIA, the goal is that within 3 years, they would:
increase girls’ self-esteem and agency through their programs — and thus drive change that improves families and communities
strengthen their organizational systems for sustainable growth
as a result, attract ongoing funding from new sources
During the first four days, we invested in our six partners in the Ellas al Frente cohort, within an intimate shared learning space. On the final day, we welcomed 14 more grassroots organizations in our network to an open Ellas al Frente Summit, filled with networking and learning opportunities; the women leaders brought along 37 girls from their programs to participate as well! And for the first time, we immersed a group of funders in the experience.
As we look back on this inspiring gathering, here are five standout moments that made a lasting impact:
1. Storytelling About Our Heroes
On the first day, as the 11 leaders from the Ellas al Frente cohort reunited for the third year, Dania de Leon, our Regional Coordinator, led a creative activity that set the tone for the week. Each group invented a superhero, naming her, telling a story about her powers and purpose, and even crafting a costume out of face paint and paper. What started as a fun icebreaker quickly took on a deeper meaning, as participants shared stories of real-life mentors, female leaders, and role models who inspire, listen, and advocate for girls. The exercise highlighted the critical role of feminist mentorship and created an immediate sense of sisterhood.
2. Partner “TED Talks”: Sharing Girl-Centered Innovations
During Days 2 and 3, partners each stood in the spotlight, to share how they have incorporated girl-centered design into their programs. These short, powerful talks showcased real-world examples of listening to girls and designing impactful programs that meet their needs. For instance, after holding a focus group with girls, Acción para una Vida Saludable redesigned its program to include mentorship, school services, and mental health support. Meanwhile, Leer para Soñar organized their first-ever girl-led event, a powerful example of shifting decision-making power to girls. Each story reinforced the impact of intentional program design and community-driven innovation.
3. Learning Creative Ways to Teach SRHR
One of the most engaging sessions was led by UDMIUF, who introduced creative methods for teaching girls about sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR). Participants played Lotería—a version of bingo—with menstruation and sexuality concepts, making learning interactive and fun. They also simulated an activity of using clay to model and understand the anatomy of the vulva, turning a potentially awkward topic into an engaging, hands-on experience. The energy continued on Friday at the SRHR fair led by Alas Guatemala, where girls took charge of educating their peers on essential health topics in a dynamic and informative way.
4. Playing the What Would You Do? Game with Girls and Mentors
The open-day Summit featured parallel learning sessions, where both girls and mentors learned how to use our What Would You Do? game, a play-based tool that teaches girls about boundaries, peer pressure, and healthy relationships. The interactive format encouraged deep discussions, and the excitement was contagious—so much so that the girls wanted to keep playing even after the break. The session provided a meaningful way to explore difficult topics while fostering connection and trust between participants.
5. The Power of Community Building
On the conference’s final day, we welcomed 20 organizations, six funders, and 36 girls from Guatemala, El Salvador, and Honduras to discuss the future of collaborative networks supporting girls in the region. The day was filled with rich discussions, shared strategies, and even an impromptu singing moment led by Barbara from Na'leb'ak, bringing the group together in a moment of joy and unity. The event underscored the importance of working collectively to sustain and expand girl-centered programs.
Bonus: Celebrating Three Years Together
While the program continues virtually until October, this was the final in-person gathering for our first cohort. To mark the occasion, organizations celebrated each other, reflecting on what they had learned and the bonds they had built. Beyond the internal connections, the event also provided meaningful networking opportunities with funders, and we’re already seeing the impact—two organizations have received funding offers as a direct result!
The Ellas al Frente convenings were more than just a series of workshops and sessions—it was a space for shared learning, growth, and celebration. The connections made and knowledge exchanged will continue to shape the work of these organizations and the girls they serve long after the event. We can’t wait to see what comes next!
Special thanks to our funding partners (Summit Foundation, Ward Foundation, Luis von Ahn Foundation, Adventures for the Mind, and Stone Family Foundation) and facilitation partners (MAIA and Alas Guatemala).