Pans are clanging, whisks are twirling and the oven is dinging. That’s the sound of She’s The First Club getting ready for their annual Bake a Change sale. Members of the club get together to bake desserts and get everything set for the sale. Besides the appetizing baked goods, the best part of Bake a Change is its purpose. All of the profit made by the girls goes to promote and increase women’s education.
This club is just a small Chapter of a larger organization (She’s the First) working to make a difference.
According to UNICEF, “Around the world, 122 million girls are out of school [Don’t have access], including 34 million of primary school age, and 87 million of secondary school age.”
Every day, girls fight relentlessly against barriers to education due to poverty, poor infrastructure, cultural norms and violence. Ensuring all young women receive a quality education is their human right. To achieve this is much more than getting them into a classroom, it is also guaranteeing girls can learn while feeling safe and having access to all levels of an
education.
Co-Presidents of She’s the First, Meredith Niedfeldt, senior, and Julia Nill, senior, strive to make a difference.
“She’s the first is a really amazing organization that helps support women’s education, and I was thrilled to be able to help…There’s teenage girls just like us that don’t get the same access to education, and it’s important that we do anything we can to help them even as a small chapter,” Niedfeldt said.
Nill added, “I think it is important to fight for women’s education, help women who are in shelters and let girls have a choice in their future…We are not a big (number-wise) club; however, any impact to make a change is a good one.”
Cate Sutlif, senior and treasurer of She’s the First said, “The club hopes to help women, educate more people on the issue and get people to care.”
She’s the First Club at Homestead High School is a Chapter of a much larger non-profit organization also known as She’s the First. The head organization teams up with girls all over the world and trains them as activists to aid women’s education.
She’s the First states on their website, “Too often, girls are denied an education, told who and when to marry, and blocked from leadership. Educated and respected girls are the exception, not the norm…As the co-organizers of The Global Girls’ Bill of Rights, we believe in the power girls have to advocate for themselves. Our programs provide girls with the platforms and resources they need to speak up for their rights in their homes, schools, and communities.”
Niedfeldt and Nill are active leaders in She’s the First, helping them shatter barriers that hold girls back. Although it is important work, these Co-Presidents have been able to pivot these duties into lively activities for their members.
Besides the Bake a Change sale, the club carries out many other fun pursuits.
Sutlif said, “We do fun activities like friendship bracelet making.”
According to Niedfeldt, “We have several fun events coming up, including decorating Christmas
cards to donate.”
“This year, we plan on doing a movie night..and much more,” Nill added.
By joining She’s the First Club at Homestead you can assist women by helping them gain access to an education, give girls a choice in their future, meet new people and have fun doing it.
“Other people should join She’s the First to learn more about problems women face around the world and what they can do to help.” Sutlif said.
