Archived News
2008
Strong Women, Strong Girls Boston Announces New Program Manager
Strong Women, Strong Girls is pleased to announce that Julia Garcia will be coordinating its Boston programming as the Boston Program Manager. Julia Garcia has extensive experience in education, non for profit management and youth mentoring. Prior to joining the SWSG team, Julia held the position of Literacy Curriculum and Training Manager for the Greater Boston Jewish Coalition for Literacy in Boston. In this position, Julia was responsible for training and supervising over 600 volunteer tutors, as well as overseeing relationships with over 40 Boston area schools! Julia graduated from Lesley University with a degree in Human Development in 2001. Welcome Julia!
Letter from Julia:Hello! I am so excited to be here at Strong Women Strong Girls as the new Boston Program Manager. I have spent my entire career focused on providing top quality educational care and mentoring to children in and around Boston, and I am thrilled now to have the opportunity to work with the 250 wonderful young girls and dedicated college women that participate in Strong Women, Strong Girls.
Over the next few months, I will be busy meeting our partners and planning training and programming for the upcoming program year, as well as adding new school and community partners as our program grows. I look forward to getting to know all of you, so please feel free to call or email to introduce yourselves and share your great ideas with me!
Yours,
Julia
Julia can be reached at (617) 224-1304 or jgarcia@swsg.org.
SWSG Service Learning Highlights from Pittsburgh!
Carnegie Mellon University mentors and girls joined together to create a 4'x4' mural for the Women's Shelter as a way to inspire the women living at the shelter to find their strength within. The Duquesne University mentors and girls created friendship bracelets and cards for youth at Children's Hospital. The girls wanted to share their thoughts and best wishes to those in long term care. The mentors and girls from the University of Pittsburgh's sites decided bullying was an issue. As a way to create awareness they created posters to decorate the hallway and share the importance of friendships.
Strong Women, Strong Girls Pittsburgh Hosts Mentor Conference
The Pittsburgh program year recognition event for mentors included the final Mentor2Mentor program: "Strong Opportunities", a roundtable discussion of opportunities in Pittsburgh in the for-profit, non-profit, government and education sectors. Following lunch, the mentors heard from the dynamic authors/artists Tiffany Ludwig and Renee Piechocki presenting highlights from their work: Trappings: Stories of Women, Power, and Clothing. Tiffany and Renee are certainly two strong women themselves! Also at the Mentor Conference, parents and guardians of participating girls were invited to participate in a "Parent/Guardian Circle" to provide input and feedback on SWSG's parent/guardian engagement initiative.
Pittsburgh Executive Director Recognized as "Woman of Achievement"
This spring, Lynne Garfinkel received the "Woman of Achievement" award given by 'Celebrate and Share' within the non-profit community. Over 300 supporters attended a breakfast to celebrate the honorees. SWSG Pittsburgh Advisory Council member Georgia Berner was also recognized at the award ceremony. Congratulations Lynne and Georgia!
Strong Women, Strong Girls Boston Hosts Jump into Spring!
On Sunday, April 12th, 300 participating girls, mentors, parents and community members gathered in Boston’s Downtown Crossing for an afternoon of fun jump roping challenges. Girls showed off their trick jumping, competed in a "marathon jumping" event, and even tried out styles of jump roping from around the world!
Senator John Kerry opened the festivities with a few words about the importance of the mentoring work that is done by Strong Women, Strong Girls. "You know what I see when I look at this group of talented and tough, determined girls?" Senator Kerry said. "I see CEOs of Fortune 500 companies, gold medal winners and Nobel Prize winners, senators, presidents and the future mothers of strong girls." 
Thank you to all our Jump into Spring sponsors and supporters for making this incredible event possible!
Jump into Spring Leading Sponsors
Big Apple Circus
Presenting Sponsor
Especially Yours: Hair and Fashion for Black Women
Double Dutch Sponsors
POWERade
QRST's
Thomson CompuMark
Hop to It Sponsors
Nonprofit Professionals Advisory Group
Staples Foundation for Learning
Team Sponsors
Catherine Thurston
Goodwin Procter
Openview Venture Partners
Jespersen & Associates
Pairs Sponsors
Accounting Management Solutions
Alexander, Aronson, Finning & Co.
Chris & Carla McCall
Debra & Mark Greenberg
Foley Hoag LLP
Gail & Michael Long
Gayle Breitbard Klusky
Michael & Sara Bernstein
Valerie Friedman
Participant Sponsors
Alkon & Levine
Chris Richmond
Dell Mitchell Architects
David Powers
John Leclaire & Ruth Hodges
John Tatum
Kathleen Klesh & Nidhal Rashid
Nancy Hegarty
Newton Montessori School
Mark & Marie Schwartz
Women's Sports Foundation
Lindsay Hyde Interviewed by Mission Recognition!
On March 13th, Strong Women, Strong Girls Founder and President Lindsay Hyde was interviewed by Mission Recognition, a blog dedicated to nonprofits and social entrepreneurs. Lindsay described how Strong Women, Strong Girls uses history to help foster confidence and leadership in girls and young women. She also discussed the importance of media and community champions for advancing the cause of social entrepeneurs.
To hear a podcast of Lindsay's interview, visit the Mission Recognition website.
Strong Women, Strong Girls Pittsburgh Goes to the Game!
On Saturday, February 2, 2008, thanks to the generosity of Dr. Jean Ferketish in the University of Pittsburgh Chancellor’s office, all SWSG girls, a parent/guardian, and mentors were invited to attend the University of Pittsburgh Lady Panthers basketball game. Everyone had a great time watching the Lady Panthers battle Rutgers. After the game, Coach Agnus Bernato thanked SWSG for attending, and the girls had a chance to meet Assistant Coach Shea Ralph and #33 Xenia Stewart. The girls collected autographs and asked the women what makes them “strong.” Coach Shea and “Z” (nicknames they are known for) responded that going to college, having faith, working hard, and playing basketball all make them strong. The Lady Panthers truly inspired the SWSG girls!
SWSG Pittsburgh launches Mentor2Mentor!
On Tuesday, February 5, 2008, professional women volunteer mentors gathered at the Children’s Museum to officially launch Mentor2Mentor (M2M) and participate in “Mentoring 101” training. This training helps prepare the professional women to be confident mentors to our college women. Nearly half of Pittsburgh’s college women mentors requested to be paired with professional women this semester. Following the training, many of the professional women had a chance to meet their college matches, and everyone was treated to a panel of exceptional “Strong Women.” Panelists included Georgia Berner, CEO of Berner International; Valerie McDonald Roberts, Manager of Allegheny County Real Estate; Joyce Rothermel, CEO and Executive Director of the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank; and Jane Werner, Executive Director of the Children’s Museum. Cathy Lewis Long, founding Executive Director of the Sprout Fund, moderated the panel. Panelists shared stories of how their life experiences led them toward career choices, and how they have found success and fulfillment with their careers. Participants asked the panelists to describe their mentors, and share advice on how to balance careers with family. Future M2M events include a “Strong Skills” session to help prepare our college women for life after college, and “Strong Opportunities” roundtable to share tips on how to access resources and employment opportunities in Pittsburgh.
Strong Women, Strong Girls and local author Liz Suneby partner to support girls' career goals!
Wellesley resident Liz Suneby recently co-authored the amazing book See What You Can Be with Diane Heiman. The book gives girls a taste of the varied careers they might choose based on the activities they love today!
Recognizing the value of the book for the girls involved in Strong Women, Strong Girls, Liz has taken on a bold challenge: collecting 250 books to donate to each girl who participates in SWSG!
To achieve this goal, Liz is giving talks at book clubs, volunteer groups, and parent councils throughout Greater Boston. When parents buy a book for their daughters, they are encouraged to buy a book for a girl in Strong Women, Strong Girls as well.
So far, Liz has collected over 100 books and is half way to achieving the goal of collecting a book for each girl in Strong Women, Strong Girls!
You Can Help! If you would like to help us achieve our goal by purchasing a copy of See What You Can Be for a Strong Women, Strong Girls participant, please visit www.amazon.com. Books can be sent directly to the Strong Women, Strong Girls at: 727 Atlantic Avenue, 3rd Floor, Boston, MA 02111.
If you would like to hold a See What You Can Be workshop for girls in your area, please contact author Liz Suneby at esuneby@comcast.net.
2007
Highlights from Strong Women, Strong Girls Pittsburgh Fall, 2007 Mentor Training
On Saturday, October 6, 2007, 50 women from Carnegie Mellon University, Duquesne University, and University of Pittsburgh came together for SWSG’s Fall Mentor Training! The college women acquired skills they need to be successful SWSG mentors and engaged in some personal development too! The mentors participated in workshops on “Inclusion of Girls with Disabilities,” “Behavior Management”, “Cultural Diversity”, and “Working Styles”. The mentors also participated in “SWSG 101: Best Practices” and did several icebreakers to get to know each other. One of the day’s highlights included a visit from Manchester Elementary School’s site facilitator, who shared stories of the tremendous impact SWSG programming has already had on girls at her school!
The session had a positive impact on participants! “This got me very excited for mentoring to start!” “When the (site facilitator) from Manchester spoke, the experience of what my position would entail became more real.”
Announcing the Strong Women, Strong Girls Pittsburgh Executive Director
Strong Women, Strong Girls is pleased to welcome Lynne Garfinkel as the new Strong Women, Strong Girls Pittsburgh Executive Director. Lynne comes to Strong Women, Strong Girls having served as the President of National Council of Jewish Women, Pittsburgh Section, a 1,500 member volunteer organization, sponsoring many non-sectarian community service programs and advocacy initiatives in the Pittsburgh community. Lynne brings to her new role her experience in community building, volunteer engagement, and organizational development.
Lynne has held Board of Director, Vice President and Project Chair positions in various community and civic organizations. She has received numerous local and national awards in recognition of her contribution to these community organizations. In 2006, Lynne successfully ran for Committeewoman for the 14th ward Democratic Committee, beating a three-term incumbent. She is also a mayoral appointee to the Pittsburgh City Planning Commission.
Lynne received her Master of Arts in Organizational Psychology from Boston University, and her Bachelor of Arts with high honors from Emory University.
Lynne's tenure as the Strong Women, Strong Girls Pittsburgh Executive Director will begin July 30, 2007. Lynne can be reached at lgarfinkel@swsg.org .
SWSG Welcomes Pittsburgh Program Manager
Strong Women, Strong Girls is pleased to announce the hiring of Mila Nguyen as the Program Manager in our Pittsburgh office. Mila will coordinate program delivery with administrators in the elementary schools and universities, as well as provide support and training to the college mentors. Mila comes to Strong Women, Strong Girls with extensive experience in non-profit management, as well as experience as a mentor herself, as a “big” in the Big Sisters/Big Brothers program. Mila has received numerous awards for her work in the Pittsburgh non-profit community, including the National Young Community Leader Recipient, National Alliance of Vietnamese American Agencies, and 40 Under 40. Mila is a graduate of the University of Pittsburgh.Strong Women, Strong Girls Founder and President Lindsay Hyde Honored with National Jefferson Award
Lindsay Hyde, Founder and President Strong Women, Strong Girls, was honored with the Samuel S. Beard Award for Greatest Public Service by an Individual 35 Years or Under. In receiving the award, Hyde joins the ranks of such bold-faced names as Steve Jobs, Faith Hill, and Lance Armstrong, who are all previous recipients.
Selected to receive the award by the Jefferson Awards’ prestigious board of selectors, Hyde started Strong Women Strong Girls in 2000 as a freshman at Harvard University. The mission of Strong Women Strong Girls is to build upon the lessons learned from strong women throughout history to encourage girls and young women to become strong themselves.
ABOUT THE SAMUEL S. BEARD AWARD FOR GREATEST PUBLIC SERVICE BY AN INDIVIDUAL 35 OR UNDER
Since 1973, the Jefferson Awards have been presented in five categories. The categories were created by the Board to reflect the full range of service to America - from top elected officials to neighborhood volunteers. One of those categories was designed to recognize individuals 35 or younger who have made a distinct impact on America. Renamed the Samuel S. Beard Award for Greatest Public Service in 2002 for founder Sam Beard, the award has recognized individuals such as Lance Armstrong, Faith Hill, Sally Ride, Steven Jobs, Max Cleland and Peyton Manning.
ABOUT THE JEFFERSON AWARDS
In 1972, Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, Senator Robert Taft, Jr. and Sam Beard founded the American Institute for Public Service, a 501(c)(3) public foundation, to establish a Nobel Prize for public and community service – The Jefferson Awards. The Jefferson Awards are presented on two levels: national and local. National award recipients represent a “Who’s Who” of outstanding Americans. On the local level Jefferson Awards recipients are ordinary people who do extraordinary things without expectation of recognition or reward. To help us identify and celebrate these “Unsung Heroes” the Jefferson Awards has developed a partnership with the media. Today, it is the nation’s oldest and largest Media Partnership celebrating volunteerism in the United States. For more information visit our website at www.jeffersonawards.org.
2005
Strong Women, Strong Girls Director Honored at YWCA "Tribute to Outstanding Women"
Strong Women, Strong Girls Founder and Director Lindsay Hyde was named one of this year's 10 'Outstanding Women" by the YWCA of Cambridge. Lindsay was honored at the annual YWCA Tribute to Outstanding Women luncheon at the Cambridge Marriott on September 30th. Lindsay was honored for her work supporting women and girls through the creation of Strong Women, Strong Girls.Congratulations Lindsay!
2004
Strong Women, Strong Girls Fall Mentor Training 2004
The 2004 Fall Mentor Training for Strong Women, Strong Girls Mentors was a success! On Saturday, October 16th 65 outstanding Strong Women, Strong Girls mentors gathered at the YWCA of Cambridge for a day of training. Mentors participated in trainings including SWSG 101, Conflict Resolution, and Behavior Management. Strong Women, Strong Girls would like to thank all of our fantastic trainers who came out to share their knowledge and enthusiasm with our new mentors. Also, Strong Women, Strong Girls would like to say CONGRATULATIONS to all of our new and returning mentors—we are looking forward to a wonderful year working with you. You are going to be wonderful role models and great mentors for your girls!