Sofia, like many others, recognizes that today's girls are free to lead tomorrow's boardrooms and
courthouses, and run our today's girls are free to lead tomorrow's boardrooms
and courthouses, and run our hospitals and technology start-ups. It is up to
young women to take full advantage of these growing opportunities and embrace whatever
leadership role they are capable of having. But something is seriously stopping
girls from moving forward. While research reveals that girls idealize
leadership qualities and skills, only 21% of girls believe they have the
qualities required to be a good leader. In other words, she knows what it takes
to lead but doesn't have the confidence to do so. So what is happening?
She is lacking positive role models and mentors. She is confronted by
unhealthy images of female beauty. She is held back by the jealous bullying
from peers. If these situations go unchecked, millions of girls will never
realize their full leadership potential. Years of progress made towards women’s
empowerment will be lost.
TOGETHERTHERE, an organization created though the Girl Scouts of the USA, is one that my personal platform aligns very closely with. Thus, I'd like to take this time to share with you my platform statement, which essentially outlines the role I plan to take as an advocate of the movement toward making 2012 the year of the girl.
Girls can't be
what they can't see. However, when exposed to empowerment messages, along with strong
female role models and tools for personal and professional growth, they are not
only more likely to realize their full potential; they are ultimately more
likely to transform our culture for the betterment of all women, which has a
global impact.
My mission is to
set in motion a generational transformation. First, generations of women must
come together and form mentorships, sponsorships, networks, and positive
relationships. From the young girls in grade school who are just discovering
their potential, to the young ladies in universities and entering the workforce
who are beginning to apply their potential, to the women who have mastered their
craft and hold positions of power, we all have something to learn from one
another. In addition, the kind of
social change this movement will effect requires everyone, women and men, to
work together to create a world that offers gender-balanced leadership
opportunities. It is essential to engage both genders and help everyone
to understand that we all have an important role to play in this movement.
This isn’t about
girls succeeding over boys or women over men. It’s about empowering qualified
individuals to take their place at the top. My goal is to give momentum
to this movement. To do so, I will personally lend my story of overcoming obstacles,
staying true to my values and discovering the power of my potential. I have the
passion and the power to effect change in the lives of others, and it is my
dream and desire to do this across New York State, across the nation, and
eventually world-wide.
I first discovered I had the ability to lead in high school as a Leadership
Asset Training Ambassador for my peers. I developed those leadership skills as
the founder of Women in Business, as a freshman in college. Today, as a young
professional in partnership with organizations like TOGERHERTHERE, I will engage
girls and young women in actively pursuing their passions and discovering their
full potential.
What role do you plan to play?
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