Editor’s Note: At She’s the First, we believe in taking a girl-centered and anti-oppressive approach to all we do. Girls know their needs better than anyone, which is why we ethically include girls in our decision-making processes and in our program evaluation. To ensure that girls have a vote and a voice at the highest level within our organization, we reserve two seats on our Board of Directors for girls. Two girls are elected by their peers in the Girls Advisory Council to fill these roles.
This conversation has been lightly edited to add context when needed.
Authors: Elsie Chacha and Syeda Areesha Fatima, members of the STF Board of Directors
How long have you been involved with She’s the First, and in what capacities?
Elsie: My beautiful journey with STF began in 2019. I attended the Girls First Summit in Nairobi, and that is when I first got to know about it. On that day, I was one of the panelists at the event. Now five years later, I have held the following positions: Girls Advisory Council Member, Junior Girl Board Member, and currently Senior Girl Board Member
Areesha: My journey with STF began a little of a year ago when I was fortunate enough to join the team as a member of the Girls Advisory Council. Now I am very excited to start my journey as a junior board member.
What’s the process like within the Girls Advisory Council to choose the girls who will sit on the Board of Directors?
Elsie: The process is open and transparent. Everyone (within the Girls Advisory Council) who is interested in the position is urged to apply; the applicants are then voted for within the board, and the one with the higher vote gets the position.
Areesha: Both Florence (Sidi, STF Programs Assistant) and Ceci (Arriaza, STF Senior Programs Manager) made sure that the process of electing the board member was completely transparent, and they were always there to accommodate everyone and answered any questions we had regarding the position. Everyone in the Girls Advisory Council who has been in the council for a year is eligible to apply and contest for the junior board member position, and then everyone from the advisory board votes for the one they think is suitable for the position. After this, the person chosen by the advisory board is formally elected by the STF Board of Directors.
Why did you want to become a member of STF’s Board of Directors?
Elsie: I was very intrigued by the fact that 19-year-old Elsie could possibly be a whole board member, and so I tried for the position. It also was a great opportunity to continue with my advocacy journey and also learn the inner workings of a nonprofit that impacts girls' lives.
Areesha: For me, STF board was an opportunity through which I could gain more exposure and experience in my advocacy journey and could serve as a platform through which I can serve as voice for the girls in the advisory board and my community.
Elsie, has the experience been what you expected, or were you surprised by anything?
Elsie: The experience has been a whole learning process from the beginning, as it is something I have never had the opportunity to do before. I had interacted with Christen (Brandt, STF Co-Founder and Board Member) before, and she was very kind and friendly, so I was very comfortable getting into the board. The meetings are also easygoing, and it mostly entails me or Areesha presenting everything that we have been up to as the Girls Advisory Council. I love that I feel heard and respected in all meetings by all the members.
Elsie, in your experiences so far, in what aspects of the board’s duties do you feel like you’ve had the most impact?
Elsie: I attend the meetings faithfully and give them my full attention and most authentic self. I amplify STF on social media with every chance I get, and I do make great presentations on the work that we are doing as the Girls Advisory Council. I haven’t had the chance to cast a vote yet, but this is my senior year, and I’m excited about that. I am open and willing to do more tasks and have a much greater impact.
Elsie, what advice do you have for Areesha as gets settled into her new role?
Elsie: Areesha: Congratulations for getting into this role. It is new and different, but it is an amazing opportunity for you to grow in your advocacy journey. Always feel free to speak up and be your best self. I will always be here with you as a friend, mentor, sister, and colleague. Please don’t shy away from any questions or tasks because we need your ideas, we need your input, and most importantly, we need you. I can’t wait to see what this year has in store for us!
Areesha, have you received any advice from Elsie or other board members that you’ve felt has been particularly helpful?
Areesha: Everyone has been very helpful throughout my journey at STF. One piece of advice from Elsie that I’ll keep with me forever is to always speak up and not be afraid to ask questions. I completely resonate with this advice as I believe every one of us are learning something new every day so we should never shy away from asking a question about anything we do not know
You two have stepped into very big leadership roles (thank you!)—what advice would you give to girls worldwide who are just starting to become leaders in their communities?
Elsie: You are the best person for that leadership role! Do NOT doubt yourself and your capabilities. Always speak up, be honest, be yourself, and trust yourself. And finally, it only gets better!
Areesha: You are powerful, You are unique, and you are enough. Never doubt or underestimate yourself. You just need to have a vision, find your path, and everything else will fall into place. Never let the opinions of others affect your decision; you are enough and powerful; you write your own destiny, this life is your canvas to draw whatever you want. You should know that your journey will continue to serve as an inspiration for generations after you. You are the present; you are the future.
Elsie Chacha is an Engineering student in Nairobi, Kenya. Syeda Areesha Fatima studies medicine in Pakistan.
