Impact Stories, Girls' Programs, Girls First Institute, CBO Training
She's the First
With Heart and Determination, Gladys Gives Back ...

Gladys is proof that an educated girl can become a woman who pays it forward. She is our 2025 GIving Tuesday inspiration!

With Heart and Determination, Gladys Gives Back to Girls. You Can Join Her.
Activism Programs, Advocacy, Girl Activist Fellowship, Girl-Led Advocacy, Girls' Programs, Girls' Voices, Impact Stories, Partner Coalition
She's the First
Aliza: Blazing a Trail in Medicine & Poetry

Aliza Puri, an STF Youth Ambassador from Nepal, wrote this poem as a letter to the world from every girl who has been abused, who finds it hard to come forward and ask for justice because she is too scared and embarrassed—until she decides to fight for herself.

Advocacy, Girl Activist Fellowship, Girls' Programs
She's the First
Girls—and Malala!—Demonstrate to Let World ...

On September 21, 2024, in New York City, more than 50 young women from around the world—including the youngest Nobel Prize Laureate Malala Yousafzai and representatives from four She’s the First programs!—gathered to take United Nations member states to task for failing to prioritize girls and young women in the planning and content of the Summit of the Future.

Girls—and Malala!—Demonstrate to Let World Leaders Know What Girls Want!
Advocacy
She's the First
JOINT STATEMENT: Girl-Centered Organizations ...

We, the undersigned girl-centered organizations, express our deep concern and condemnation regarding the alarming rise in femicides in Kenya. We stand in solidarity with our fellow women leaders in Kenya who are demanding that the President of Kenya declare femicide and violence against women and girls a national disaster. The government must take swift and decisive measures to protect lives and ensure justice for the victims.

Impact Stories

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Mercy Nandutu: A Trailblazer for Girls in Nuclear Engineering in Her Community

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Mercy Nandutu is a nuclear engineer earning her second master’s degree—in fact, she’s the first person from her village in Uganda ever to become a nuclear engineer. “If that young girl from my past could witness my journey to becoming a nuclear engineer, she would undoubtedly feel an overwhelming sense of empowerment and possibility,” reflected Mercy. “Seeing my achievements, she would believe that she is capable of overcoming any obstacle and achieving her dreams. She would feel a sense of representation and validation in seeing someone like herself excel in the field.”

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Bridging the Distance to Graduation for Girls: She's the First, Never the Last

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Bridging the Distance to Graduation for Girls: She's the First, Never the Last

From a remote Andean village to the graduation stage! Meet Yoselinda, a trailblazer in her family as she becomes the first to earn her high school diploma. In areas where high schools are sparse and resources are scarce, organizations like our Peruvian partner Sacred Valley Project bring solutions. We’re proud to support Yoselinda's journey through education and empowerment!

Mentors Make It Happen

Feminist mentors are essential to safeguarding girls’ rights to be educated, respected, and heard. At She's the First, our vision is a world where every girl chooses her own future. To reach their goals, girls need a strong support system—and #MentorsMakeItHappen!

For International Women’s Day, we're celebrating the personal champions of girls around the world—join us! Set up a monthly donation in honor of your personal champion. By making a recurring gift, you're providing reliable support we can count on—just like you can count on your mentor.