She's the First

She's the First
Founded November 1, 2009 (2009-11-01)
Founder Tammy Tibbetts, Christen Brandt
Focus Girls' education; Leadership development of students
Location
Key people
 Tammy Tibbetts, Founder/CEO
Christen Brandt, Co-Founder/CPO
Website Official website

She's the First (STF) is an award-winning non-profit organization, headquartered in New York City, that fights gender inequality through education. As of January 2018, the organization has provided scholarships for more than 930 girls across 11 countries, while supporting the efforts of 225 independent campus chapters.[1]

Mission

She’s the First fights gender inequality by supporting girls who will be the first in their families to graduate high school and by training students everywhere to be global citizens.[2]

History

She's the First launched November 1, 2009, as a social media campaign centered on a YouTube video featuring the singer JoJo.

Following an enthusiastic response to the campaign, in July 2011, She’s the First became an official 501(c)(3) organization. It ran entirely on volunteer efforts up until May 2012, when co-founder Tammy Tibbetts was hired as its first employee in the role of CEO.[4] Brandt soon followed, becoming the organization’s Chief Programs Officer. Since 2015, She's the First has continuously exceeded one million dollars in annual revenue, attracting support from Glamour’s The Girl Project, NoVo Foundation, Andrew & Ann Tisch Foundation, Diller-von Furstenberg Family Foundation, American Express Foundation, and Unilever, among others.

She’s the First now reaches millions around the world and has directly supported more than 930 STF scholars in 11 countries, including medical expense coverage, school supplies and mentorship.

The non-profit has also made its footprint in over 225 campus chapters at high schools and universities across the country—the first at Syracuse University—as well as in other nations, highlighting advocacy for issues affecting girls and women worldwide, awareness, and fundraising.

Philosophy

In an article published by The Lily, co-founders Tammy Tibbetts and Christen Brandt share the She’s the First philosophy, explaining why She’s the First calls itself a non-profit, for-purpose, or NGO (non-governmental organization), as opposed to a charity: “In the cultures and communities where we serve, when you give a girl the opportunity to be the first in her community to go to high school, you’re also asking that she be the one to stand up when others question why it should be her. You’re asking her to take on the burden of being the oldest, unmarried woman in her family, with all of the stigma that is often attached to that. You’re asking her to become the family’s main breadwinner and to navigate how to handle the family’s debts and financial challenges. And she steps up.” A crucial part of the organization’s approach is working alongside locally-led, quality programs to support girls who will lead the charge in improving their lives and communities.

Top Programs

Scholarships

She’s the First provides comprehensive need- and merit-based scholarships to girls in low-income countries through their secondary school (high school) graduation. As of January 2018, the organization has provided more than 3,350 scholarships for more than 930 girls around the world.

The amount needed to cover educational expenses for one girl—including books, uniforms, room and board and mentorship—ranges between $400 and $1400, varying by where she lives, the school, and her education level.

She's the First hosts an online directory of NGOs with scholarship programs which they have vetted and stay in year-round contact with to track the girls' progress. They connect donors with these programs to arrange the scholarship.[7]

She’s the First currently holds 11 partnerships in 10 countries:

Western Africa

Starfish International, The Gambia

Eastern Africa

Selamta Family Project, Ethiopia

Akili Dada, Kenya

AfricAid’s Kisa Project, Tanzania

Arlington Academy of Hope, Uganda

Project Education Sudan, South Sudan

Latin America

Starfish One by One, Guatemala

Sacred Valley Project, Peru

South Asia

Shanti Bhavan Children’s Project, India

Kopila Valley Children’s School (founded by Maggie Doyne), Nepal

Global Citizenship

Campus Chapters:

She's the First has established college and high school chapters across the United States and several other countries, recognized officially as She’s the First Campus chapters. The organization connects students with STF Scholars and provides leadership training.[5

The first She's the First Campus chapter was founded at Syracuse University, followed soon after by the University of Notre Dame and Hofstra University. To date, 225 independent campus chapters have been established in the United States, Canada, Nicaragua, China, and New Zealand. Those interested in creating a chapter at their school can apply through the She's the First website.[4]

Additional Programs

Action Network:

Mobilizing on the power of grassroots campaigns, technology, and youth action, She’s the First launched the Action Network in 2017. Easily accessible on the She’s the First website, the Action Network is a resource for which anyone with a computer or smartphone can sign up to learn about global issues facing women and girls each month, and a list of actions they can take in their community. These actions include but are not limited to discussing issues with friends and family, hosting events like book clubs, panel discussions or movie screenings, sharing thoughts and concerns on social media, and fundraising for a cause.

Classroom Curriculum:

She’s the First offers free lesson plans and resources designed for elementary school teachers to introduce lessons of global citizenship in the classroom.

Fellowship:

The organization provides a program for scholars and chapter leaders with big ideas to receive funding, mentorship, and a year of support to launch a community project.

STF Summit:

She’s the First hosts an annual leadership Summit in which members of STF campus chapters convene to join a global network of student activists and receive leadership training and tools to raise awareness in their communities. The first Summit was hosted in October 2012 and was moved to August for all following years. Prominent speakers have included Sarah Jones, Amy O’Leary, Jessica Bennett and Michelle Tan.

Recognition

She's the First has been recognized numerous times since its founding through both organization-wide accolades and awards for individual staff and volunteer contributions.

2015

  • Outstanding Philanthropic Organization awarded by the Association of Fundraising Professionals NYC Chapter[3]

2014[4]

  • Marie Claire's Twenty Women Changing the World, presented to Tammy Tibbetts[5]
  • Torino Leadership Forum Award, United Nations System Staff College, presented to Christen Brandt[6]
  • Young Nonprofit Professionals Network of New York City Nonprofiteer of the Year award, presented to Katie Riley.[7]

2013

  • Organization's Commitment to Action recognized on stage by Chelsea Clinton at the annual CGIU Conference[8]
  • DVF Awards People's Voice Award, presented to Tammy Tibbetts [9]

2012

  • Seventeen Magazine "Pretty Amazing" cover contest winner Lindsay Brown, recognized for her role as President of the She's the First campus chapter at the University of Notre Dame[10]

2010

  • Glamour on its 20th Annual Women of the Year Awards at the Carnegie Hall recognized Tammy Tibbetts as one of Glamour's 20 Young Women Who Are Already Changing the World[11]

Finances

She's the First is a 501(c)(3) with EIN 65-1321437. Annual reports are available on the website, and 990s are available on Guidestar.

References

  1. ↑ McPherson, Susan. "Tammy Tibbetts: The 5 Most Powerful Women Changing The World For Girls". Forbes. Retrieved 22 August 2012.
  2. ↑ "She's the First | Education gives every girl a chance to be the First". Shesthefirst.org. 2009-11-01. Retrieved 2010-12-23.
  3. ↑ "Association of Fundraising Professionals". Retrieved 3 December 2015.
  4. ↑ "She's the First 2014 Annual Report". She's the First.
  5. ↑ Schwartz, Karen. "Tammy Tibbetts Wants to Alter Your Destiny". Marie Claire. Retrieved 3 December 2015.
  6. ↑ "Torino Leadership Forum Awards 2014". Retrieved 3 December 2015.
  7. ↑ "Nonprofiteer of the Year". YNPN-NYC. Retrieved 2017-05-26.
  8. ↑ "She's the First Commitment Announcement - CGI U 2013". youtube.com. Clinton Global Initiative. Retrieved 3 December 2015.
  9. ↑ "The Fourth Annual DVF Awards". DVF.com. Retrieved 24 June 2013.
  10. ↑ "And The Winner Of Pretty Amazing Is..." Seventeen Magazine. Hearst Digital Media.
  11. ↑ Kaplan, Stephanie (2011-01-24). "Glamour's 20 Amazing Young Women Who Are Already Changing the World". Huffington Post.
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