Feel Good Friday - Stand Up! Girls

Today is the International Day of Happiness, a United Nations observance celebrating the power of joy and laughter in our lives. And since it falls in the middle of Women's History Month, it makes it a great time to spotlight Stand Up! Girls, a nonprofit using the power of comedy to change the trajectory of young women's lives.

Founded in 2018 and headquartered in New York City, the mission of Stand Up! Girls  is "to educate, inspire and equip girls from underserved communities with the communication skills necessary to succeed in and lead male-dominated workplaces." Through developing and performing stand-up comedy, their girls learn to own the room, whether it’s a courtroom, operating room, or boardroom.

Research shows that laughter isn't just fun, it's a proven driver of happiness and wellbeing. For girls growing up in underserved communities, having a safe space to find their voice, be heard, and make people laugh can be genuinely transformative. Stand Up! Girls offers free after-school and weekend comedy workshops for girls ages 12–17 across four New York City boroughs: Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, and the Bronx. 

Each semester, participants meet weekly for one-hour sessions where they learn basic comedy techniques, write and share jokes with peers, and craft and refine their own routines, with support and feedback from instructors and seasoned comedians. The program culminates in two live performance showcases; one at a NYC comedy club and one for fellow Stand Up! Girls  where friends and family cheer them on as they take the stage for the first time.

The results speak for themselves. As one participant put it: "When I first started telling my stories in the group, I didn't realize they were funny, and when everybody was laughing, I was like, 'Okay… I can do this.'" You can watch their sizzle reel to see the girls in action.

If you'd like to support Stand Up! Girls, there are many ways to do so. You can make a donation and amplify their message on social media. Follow Stand Up! Girls on Facebook, Instagram or LinkedIn and share their stories of laughter and empowerment with your network.

Happy International Day of Happiness! 😄

Feel Good Friday - Latinitas

We continue our celebration of National Hispanic Heritage Month with a look at an organization that is inspiring confidence and empowering community, Latinitas.

Founded in 2002 and headquartered in Austin, Texas, the mission of Latinitas is to “empower girls and their communities through culturally relevant education.” They focus on STEAM education (science, technology, engineering, arts and math), digital equity, career exploration, and economic opportunity.

Let’s start with culturally relevant education. It’s designed to connect to the lives, identities and aspirations of the students and their families. The curriculum encourages students to engage with the topics and see themselves in the stories. Role models who are professionals with similar backgrounds inspire success and create an environment for girls to build confidence, develop leadership skills, and explore creative career pathways.

There are a number of educational programs that Lantinitas runs. Club Latinitas is an afterschool program focusing on technology, digital media, culture and identity, open to girls ages 9-14. During the summers, this age group can attend Camp Latinitas where every week there is a new theme such as architecture, engineering and fashion design. 14-18 years old can learn the programming language Python in eight weeks by attending the free, virtual program Code Chica. Families can participate in the multi-generational programming which covers digital literacy and workforce readiness. There are also a variety of one-day Chica Conferences where technology and media are used as tools to explore careers, and Latinitas Magazine, the first digital magazine made by and for young Latinas.

These programs are attended by approximately 3,000 girls across Texas every year. In the 2023-2024  year, there was an 87.5% growth in enrollment in Club Latinitas, 220  girls attended the Chica Conferences, Camp Latinitas had 3528 impact hours and the multi-generational programs had 1167 hours of impact.

If you’d like to help empower Latinitas across Texas there are many ways to do so. Texans reading this post can volunteer. The rest of us can make a monetary donation and amplify this work on social media. Follow Latinitas on Facebook, Instagram, or LinkedIn and subscribe to their YouTube channel.

Feel Good Friday - Equality Now

Happy Friday! It’s still March, it’s still Women’s History Month so let’s talk about Equality Now.

Founded in 1992 and based in New York City, the mission of Equality Now is "to achieve legal and systemic change that addresses violence and discrimination against women and girls around the world.”  They do this with a global network of lawyers, activists, and supporters who hold governments responsible for their international obligation to prohibit all forms of violence and discrimination against women. 

Equality Now works in all regions of the world and uses a combination of legal expertise, advocacy, collaboration, and resourcing to get their work done. Watch this video to hear Global Executive Director, Mona Sinha explain their work or keep reading.

There are four areas that Equality Now focuses on. Achieving legal equality is the first step towards gender equality. The team at Equality Now works to end legislative gender discrimination and holds governments around the world accountable for their obligations under international law. Ending harmful practices such as child marriage and female genital mutilation means leading global campaigns against these practices while also collaborating with regional partners and pushing for states to enact and implement effective laws. 

Ending sexual violence and sexual exploitation is important because 1 in 3 women globally will experience sexual violence in their lifetimes. Equality Now works to enact good laws that are effectively implemented while also exploring partnerships that take an ecosystems approach to building support mechanisms for women and girls. They work to prevent online sexual exploitation and abuse as well as partnering with local activists to challenge sex trafficking and sex tourism.

In 2023, Equality Now shared their feminist, legal expertise in 76 trainings and workshops. They helped change 14 laws in 12 countries, which improved access to justice for 39.2 million women and girls worldwide. Read stories of this impact here.

If you’d like to help Equality Now realize their vision of “a world in which women and men have equal rights under the law, and full enjoyment of their human rights” there are many ways to do so. Make a donation, join the changemakers network, shop for merch, and amplify their message on social media.  Follow Equality Now on Facebook, Instagram or LinkedIn and subscribe to their YouTube channel.

Feel Good Friday - Ukrainian Women's Fund

March is Women’s History Month and we’re kicking it off by highlighting work being done by the Ukrainian Women’s Fund.

Founded in 2000 and headquartered in Kyiv, Ukraine, the Ukrainian Women’s Fund (UWF) is the only women’s foundation in Ukraine. Their mission is to “support women's/feminist organizations, make for their participation in the development of a powerful, effective and mass women's/feminist movement capable of protecting women's rights and promoting gender equality in all areas.”

Current efforts by UWF are focused on rapid response grants to support women and girls who face humanitarian challenges caused by the Russian invasion as well as activists who are at the forefront of the volunteer movement. Funds are used to cover the urgent needs for water, food, medicine, hygiene, and communication with a focus on the most vulnerable groups of women and girls.

In addition to these immediate needs, funding provided by UWF supports women’s rights and feminist organizations in Ukraine, women activists and entrepreneurs, young women leaders, and journalists and editors in the media.

Examples of the work being done in current projects includes advancing women’s security, economic empowerment, and leadership in post-conflict Ukraine; continuing Ukraine's EU integration-related reforms; and training teenagers on how to create a culture of consent, define their own boundaries and respect the boundaries of others.

UWF shares many success stories on their website which involve developing girls’ independence and leadership skills through a girl scout program, creating a Women’s Leadership Academy that trains women how to make improvements in their communities, and a grant competition to support female veterans and military families. From February 2022 to February 2025, UWF has received over $54,000 in donations which they apply to these programs.

If you’d like to to help the Ukrainian Women’s Fund change systems with and for women in Ukraine there are several ways to get involved. Make a donation and amplify their work on social media. Follow UWF on Facebook or Instagram and subscribe to their YouTube channel. 

 

Feel Good Friday - The Valentine Foundation

Today is Valentine’s Day so let’s spend a moment learning about the Valentine Foundation.

Well, the first thing I learned is it has nothing to do with the holiday and is named after founder, Phoebe Valentine, but we’re sticking with it. Headquartered in King of Prussia, Pennsylvania, the Valentine Foundation has been funding social change for women and girls since 1985.

As they explain on their website, “we fund nonprofits in the Philadelphia region focused on racial and gender justice, prioritize leadership in organizations serving women and girls, and align our investments with these goals.” In a world where DEI initiatives are getting cut by many companies, the Valentine Foundation prioritizes organizations led by or focused on BIPOC, women, trans, and gender-expansive people.

Their grants are divided into two areas. Foundation grants support efforts that redefine issues, enhance community engagement, shift policies, or preserve past gains in gender equality. The amount of these grants ranges between $7,000 and $15,000 and can be single, or multi-year. The money can be used for either general operations or project-specific funding. Examples of 2024 recipients include Maternity Care Coalition, Gender Justice Fund and the Women’s Community Revitalization Project.

The second set of grants comes from the Visionary Leadership Fund which was established in 2005. These are targeted to support leadership development for women executives and aspiring leaders in organizations that uplift women and girls in the Greater Philadelphia region. Amounts for these grants average at or around $3,000 per applicant. Examples of 2024 recipients include leaders from the Education Law Center, Girls Inc., and Women Against Abuse.

In 2024, the Valentine Foundation awarded $201,332 to recipients in both categories. You can review the grantee page for details on recipients and grant amounts each year going back to 2000.

Finally, the Valentine Foundation allocates 20% of their endowment to mission aligned investing and provides low interest loans to nonprofits that support community projects.

If you’d like to help the Valentine Foundation achieve their vision of a society where all women and girls can thrive, you can make a donation and amplify their message on social media. Like their Facebook page and follow them on Instagram and LinkedIn. Happy Valentine’s Day! 

Feel Good Friday - GirlTREK

It’s the first Feel Good Friday of Black History Month so let’s talk about an organization that helps Black women find health, justice and joy by walking, GirlTREK.

Founded in 2010 by T. Morgan Dixon and Vanessa Garrison, and headquartered in Washington, D.C., GirlTREK is “the largest health movement and nonprofit organization for Black women and girls in the U.S.” They encourage Black women to walk 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week, because they believe it is “a radical act of self-love and the root of a cultural revolution.”

Statics provided on the GirlTREK website, show that Black women have a life expectancy that is 5-10 years behind other racial groups. In addition, 81% of Black women are overweight, 52% are obese and they are 20% less likely to engage in physical activity. This leads to Black women  in the United States dying from heart disease at the rate of 137 women each day.

The women behind GirlTREK knew that walking helps women improve their health, inspire their daughters and reclaim their neighborhoods. They found that “as women organize walking teams, they also mobilize community members to support advocacy efforts and lead a Civil Rights-inspired health movement.” Watch this 3-minute video to learn more.

Since they began 14 years ago, over 1.3 million women have taken the GirlTREK pledge to start walking and their results are impressive. 90% of women reported fewer symptoms of depression after joining GirlTREK. 61% reported losing weight and 56% sustained 5 days or more of walking for one year or more. Motivated by the success stories GirlTREK’s new goal is to increase the life expectancy of Black women by 10 years in 10 years.

If you’re ready to take steps towards a healthier you (pun 100% intended), search this page to find a GirlTREK group in your area. You can also sign up for a walking challenge, like a Jumpstart (walk 21/30 days) or Warrior Week (walk 5/7 days). Once you’ve finished the challenge, you’ll be eligible to claim your victory and collect prizes such as golden shoelaces or a GirlTREK t-shirt. If you can’t wait that long to represent, you can always shop for your swag.

Other ways to support GirlTREK are with a donation and by amplifying their message on social media. Like the GirlTREK Facebook page follow them on Instagram @girltrek. Now that you’re finished reading, why not go out for a walk?

 

Feel Good Friday - Black Girls Smile

As we make the transition from Black History Month to Women’s History Month, it’s a great opportunity to highlight the work being done by Black Girls Smile.

Founded in 2012 and headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, Black Girls Smile (BGS) “provides gender-responsive and culturally-affirming mental wellness education, resources, and support geared toward Black women and girls.” Their vision, as explained on the website is “a society that focuses on ensuring all young Black women and girls receive the resources and support necessary to lead mentally healthy lives.”

Programs are focused on Black women and girls between the ages of 13 and 25 and include workshops on creating healthy daily habits, cultivating a healthy body image and a customizable educational and wellness program focused on fostering community. You can watch a Today Show segment to see how BGS built community by talking with young women about hair.

Programming available to schools and community centers focuses on group coaching, conflict mediation and suicide prevention. BGS also provides therapy assistance by connecting Black women and girls with culturally, racially, and gender-competent mental health professionals and providing two to six months of financial support for therapy sessions.

In addition to the programs and events, the BGS website has an extensive list of resources. You can find referrals for mental health professionals, crisis hotlines, and support for specialized disorders such as anxiety and depression, addiction and ADHD. There are also links to connect you with mental health outreach and advocacy organizations, Black-focused mental health-centered professional associations, and community partners that focus on empowering Black women and girls like Black Girls Code, Therapy for Black Girls, and Justice for Black Girls.

Since they began, Black Girls Smile has impacted over 10,000 young women across the United States. If you’d like to get involved, there are many ways you can support their mission. Volunteer your time, donate your money and amplify the work of Black Girls Smile on social media. Like their Facebook page and follow them on Instagram and TikTok @blackgirlssmile.

Feel Good Friday Flashback #4 - Skateistan

Happy Feel Good Friday! I'm traveling for the next few weeks and will be tapping in to the FGF archives for stories. Join me as we look back at some favorites from the last 9 and a half years. 

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Friday, August 17, 2018

I learned about today's Feel Good Friday organization, Skateistan, from a friend. Not only is skateboarding not a crime, it's a great way to inspire children around the globe!

Skateistan, Sanskrit for "land of skate", started in Afghanistan as a way to empower children. As explained on their website. "Through the hook of skateboarding, we engage with children, especially girls and youth from low-income backgrounds, giving them access to safe spaces and education and provide valuable life skills that go beyond the skatepark and the classroom." 

Since their earliest days in 2007, Skateistan has expanded to include programs in Cambodia and South Africa. The four core programs are designed for ages 5 to 17, offered free of charge and focus on keeping the youth involved for the long term. 

Outreach involves educators and youth leaders bringing skateboards and equipment into the communities for an hour of recreational activity. Skate and Create is a combo of one hour in the skate park and one hour in the classroom. Back-to-School varies by country. In Afghanistan it's an accelerated learning program covering the national curriculum for children who are not in school. They spend 5 days a week in class and are enrolled in public school after graduating. In Cambodia and South Africa it's a drop in program after school that provides homework help and further education and career planning. The final program, which must be applied for, is Youth Leadership. Youth leaders assist educators, mentor younger students and help plan events.

If you've got 13 minutes, I highly recommend you watch the documentary, "Land of Skate" here. Children involved in the program share how skateboarding has changed their lives and you can see how happy they are when they're skateboarding.

The best way to support this work is by making a donation and becoming a Citizen of Skateistan. You can also represent by shopping for merchandise to wear and showing your support by liking the Facebook page and following them on Twitter @Skateistan.

Feel Good Friday - Girls Not Brides

For our next installment of Women’s History Month Feel Good Friday blogs, let’s talk about child marriage and a group that’s working to end the practice, Girls Not Brides. 

Founded in 2011 to focus attention on the harmful practices that hold girls and women back, Girls Not Brides is “a global partnership of 1500+ civil society organizations committed to ending child marriage and enabling girls to fulfil their potential.” Their vision is “a world without child marriage where girls and women enjoy equal status with boys and men and are able to achieve their full potential in all aspects of their lives.” Watch this 3-minute video for an overview of their work.

 

Child marriage is an issue that affects girls around the world. Each year 12 million girls are married before the age of 18. That’s 23 girls every minute. In addition to depriving young girls of their freedom to decide if, when and who to marry, child brides are at greater risk of leaving school early, living in poverty, dying in childbirth, and experiencing sexual and physical violence. More information can be found on the learning and resourcessection of the website.

 

Girls Not Brides is a platform for 1500 member organizations across 100 countries to connect, learn from each other and collaborate. Members’ work in health, education and human rights informs the strategy, activities and messaging of the global partnership. Girls Not Brides includes members in national, regional, and global campaigns and members can use the Girls Not Brides website to connect with the media and showcase their work. 

 

Because Girls Not Brides is funded through grants from governments, foundations, and multilateral sources, they do not seek donations from the general public. If you’d like to support their work you can donate to a member organization, support a specific campaign against child marriage, and amplify their message on social media. Like their Facebook page and follow them on Twitter @GirlsNotBrides and Instagram @girlsnotbrides_. #EndChildMarriage 

Feel Good Friday - CAMFED (Campaign for Female Education)

Welcome to another Feel Good Friday during Women’s History Month! Today we’re celebrating by focusing on an organization that works with girls, CAMFED. 

Founded in 1993, CAMFED is the Campaign for Female Education. As they explain on their website, “we catalyze the power of the most vulnerable girls and young women to create the future they imagine — for themselves, for their communities, and for Africa.”

 

Wondering why the focus on girls’ education? Because investing in girls improves the health and wealth of both the girls and their communities. According to the statistics, a girl who receives an education earns 25% more per year of secondary school, will invest 90% of her earnings in her family and is 3 times less likely to become HIV positive. Learn more in this short intro video.

 

CAMFED works in sub-Saharan Africa where 52.2 million girls are excluded from education. They partner with 6,853 government schools in some of the poorest districts in Zimbabwe, Zambia, Ghana, Tanzania and Malawi. It’s the communities in those districts who select the children most in need to participate in CAMFED’s programs. These girls receive help with books, school fees, uniforms, sanitary protection, mentoring and social support. To date CAMFED has helped 4.1 million students go to primary and secondary school.

 

Once girls graduate, they can join the CAMFED Association (CAMA) to volunteer in schools as learner guides, become mentors, rally community support for other girls or help monitor CAMFED programs. CAMA has been in place since 1998 and has grown into a network of 157,000 women leaders educated with CAMFED support. 

 

In addition to all of this, CAMFED also works with communities to design and implement their programs, train teacher mentors, provide school equipment and establish parent support groups. Check out this page of short films to hear directly from participants and learn more about CAMFED’s impact. 

 

If you want to support the work CAMFED is doing to educate young girls in Africa you can make a donation and amplify their message by liking their Facebook page and following them on Twitter@Camfed.

Feel Good Friday - Girl Effect

It’s the first Feel Good Friday in Women’s History Month and we’re kicking it off with Girl Effect, an organization that “uses the power of media to unlock the power of girls.”

Founded in 2004 by the Nike Foundation, Girl Effect works “to support adolescent girls in low and middle income countries through a stage in life that defines their future. We support girls to make choices for themselves so they are healthier, more educated and financially secure. To do this we create safe spaces for girls to find information and advice, online and in their communities. We answer girls’ curiosities, questions and concerns through our content and products, and connect girls to services that help them take control of their bodies and their lives.”

The problem Girl Effect is addressing is outlined in this 3-minute video. When a girl turns 12 and lives in poverty she’s often seen as a woman and more likely to spend her teenage years getting married and having children rather than staying in school and getting an education. While there are many services available for girls, often they are not used because girls don’t see the services as being “for them”. 

 

To counter this perception, Girl Effect works with partners in more than 50 countries in Africa and Asia to develop youth brands that shine a light on issues girls are facing by telling girls’ stories in their own words. Girl Effect also use mobile technology to connect marginalized and vulnerable girls around the world. The content Girl Effect creates helps girls build confidence to make choices and changes in their lives so that “every girl can choose to be in control of her body, her health, her learning and livelihood.”

 

Examples of the work they do includes the Hear Her Voice project where Technology Enabled Girl Ambassadors, aged 18-24, have interviewed over 15,000 girls and share their stories online. You can watch those videos here. There is also a chat bot powered by artificial intelligence called Big Sis, which gives girls a safe, private, non-judgmental and accurate source for information on topics that they don’t feel comfortable discussing elsewhere. Since its inception in 2018, Big Sis has reached 10.8 million girls. 

 

Overall, by working with their in-country partners, Girl Effect’s youth brands and mobile platforms reach an estimated 29 million people a year in over 50 countries! 

If you’d like to help Girl Effect create a future where girls are healthier, more educated, and more economically secure, you can make a donation and spread the word by liking their Facebook page and following them on Twitter @girleffect.  #TheGirlEffect 

Feel Good Friday - Bay Area Girls Rock Camp

Happy Feel Good Friday! Summer is upon us, time to sign up for a program with Bay Area Girls Rock Camp.

Founded in 2008 and inspired by a camp in Portland, Bay Area Girls Rock Camp (BAGRC) is a "non profit organization that empowers young people through music, promoting an environment that fosters self-confidence, creativity and teamwork."

The camp is open to self-identified girls and trans youth ages 8 to 18.  Campers participate in music lessons, workshops, group activities and performances.

Specific programs include: GRASP (Girls Rock After School Program) a 10-week course where girls learn an instrument, form a band, write a song and perform it; Summer Camp, a one-week version of GRASP; and Women's Rock Camp, a one-day version of these programs for those of us 19 and older. All tuition from the Women's Rock Camp goes into the financial aid fund for the other programs.

BAGRC serves hundreds of youth each year thanks to the support of, that's right, people like you. If you live in the Bay Area you can volunteer and anyone can make a donation of money or gear.
You can also share the social media love by liking their Facebook page and following them on Twitter @BAGRC. Rock on!

Feel Good Friday - DIY Girls

Last week we talked about an organization focused on young men so for today's Feel Good Friday, it's all about the young women and the support the get from DIY Girls.

Founded in 2011 by Luz Rivas, the mission of DIY Girls is "to increase girls' interest and success in technology, engineering and making through innovative education experiences and mentor relationships."

The reason it matters is that less than 15% of girls show an interest in STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art and math) between 4th and 8th grade, which translates into women representing less than 25% of the STEAM workforce and Latinas representing only 2% of employed scientists and engineers.

DIY Girls focuses on girls in grades 5-12 in underserved communities in the Northeast San Fernando Valley region of Los Angeles. 97% of girls served are Latina, 2% African American and 1% Asian-Pacific Islander. Since 2012, over 3,000 girls have participated in various DIY Girls programs.

These programs focus on electronics, coding and invention - you can read an inspiring article on a team of DIY Girls who invented a solar powered tent for the homeless here. There is also a summer camp and an active alumni group that creates a strong support network for current and past DIY Girls.

If you work with girls, you can order a club kit, which provides materials for six one-hour sessions including a paper circuit kit, art bot and interactive friendship bracelet. All of us can support the work of DIY Girls by making a donation and showing the social media love by liking their Facebook page and following them on Twitter @DIYGirls. You go, girls!

Feel Good Friday - Nashipai Maasai Project

This week Kenya was in the news because of a deadly terrorist attack. While there is always bad news to report, the reason I write this Feel Good Friday blog every week is to remind us that there is always good news to report too, often from the same place. That's why today, I'm highlighting the Nashipai Maasai Project in Kenya.

Founded in 2015 by girl's education activist Selina Nkoile, the mission of the Nashipai Maasai Project is "to promote education amongst the Maasai Community so as to create a self sustainable society free from all forms of violence against women and children such as Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) and child marriage".

You can read this One.org article about how Selina's experience receiving an education prevented her from becoming a child bride and put her on a path to create the Nashipai Maasai Project and lead rescue missions.

The project brings girls in the surrounding community to the Naningoi Girls Boarding School to receive formal education. When possible, the project pays the school fees for children from the poorest backgrounds. As of this time last year, 163 of 800 girls in the area had been rescued and Selina is determined to reach every single one.

The project is expanding to include permaculture schemes to teach the women in the community agriculture as well as income generating activities such as beadwork, tailoring and baskets.

If you're in Kenya, you can support the work of the Nashipai Maasai Project by volunteering. No matter where you are, you can always make a donation and show some social media love by liking their Facebook page.

Feel Good Friday - She's the First

Yesterday was the United Nations International Day of the Girl Child so for today's Feel Good Friday, I'm going to profile an organization that's helping girls around the world, She's the First.

Founded in 2009 by Tammy Tibbetts and Christen Brandt as an effort to get Millennials to support girls' education, She's the First "fights gender inequality through education. We support girls who will be first in their families to graduate from high school and train students everywhere to be global leaders." You can watch this 4 minute profile of the founders on the Today Show and get a great overview of their program here.

The organization focuses on girls because two-thirds of the world's illiterate adults are women, each year 15 million girls are married before they turn 18, and education for girls is still an exception rather than the norm in many places worldwide. As they go on to explain on their website, an educated girl "earns up to 20% more as an adult with each additional year of schooling, is less likely to marry early... and has fewer, healthier children."

She's the First partners with local organizations to provide scholarships for girls to reach graduation, as well as providing them with after-school programs and mentors to help guide their progress. There is also a global leadership curriculum for STF scholars and girls on campus chapters around the world.

With 200 campus chapters and 1,100 scholars, the impact of She's the First is widespread. A few of their successes include: a girl in Gambia who takes photos of her classmates, charges a small fee and is saving this money to go to college and support her dream of being a photographer; a girl in India who graduated high school and hopes to become a software engineer instead of work in a rock quarry; and Tizita Hagare from Ethiopia who starred in Angelina Jolie's movie Difret. You can visit this page to read more scholar stories and watch additional videos.

If you'd like to help She's the First support girls around the world you can shop for merch, start a campus chapter, make a donation and share the social media love by liking their Facebook page and following them on Twitter @shesthefirst.