From advocacy to Ayanna, our Big Sister Boston community is using their voice to amplify what matters for girls and women.
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JANUARY 2020 ISSUE
From the President & CEO
Dear friends,
Martin Luther King Jr. said: “Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.” Big Sister Boston is not silent about what matters, especially what matters to the advancement of girls and women. We use our voice, as an organization, to speak up and speak out. We will encourage our community of partners and champions to also speak out on why they are 100% invested in girls.
Among the many recent examples of how we’re advocating for and amplifying the voices of girls and women there are a few that stand out. This month, we will attend Youth Mentoring Day at the State House, where our staff and teen Big Sisters from our High School Mentoring Academy will meet with legislators to lobby for sustained funding for youth mentoring programs.
We are also hosting the annual kick-off of our New Girls Network, in partnership with the Women’s Foundation of Boston, where the 2020 class of young professional women—staff, Big Sisters, Diversity Board, and Young Professional Board members—will hear from a panel of seasoned professional women and get matched with their own mentor who will help them achieve their professional or personal goals this year.
And finally, investing in girls is a family affair at Big Sister Boston. At the end of 2019, Lauren Bamel, who is an Enrollment and Match Support Specialist to Big and Little Sisters in Boston Public Schools, secured a grant in support of our work from her brother’s employer. In his nomination of Big Sister Boston for the grant award, Harrison Bamel wrote: “I chose to nominate Big Sister Boston because of the inspirational women in my life. I give so much credit to my mom and both sisters for sparking my potential and passion in life; they are key figures who have helped me become the person I am today.”
This year, we hope you, like Lauren, will continue to speak out and encourage others to join the movement by investing in girls.
In gratitude,
Congresswoman Pressley wears her signature Senegalese braids while taking a selfie with Little Sister Brianna at our 2017 Annual Meeting.
In the News & On Our Minds
Former Big Sister and Massachusetts Congresswomen, Ayanna Pressley, bravely spoke out about her journey with alopecia this month. As a Black woman politician, and a role model to many little girls, her hair became both personal and political. It was a significant part of her identity--and then it was gone. Now she's speaking her truth so that others may proudly speak theirs.
“I would walk into a room and little girls would be wearing t-shirts that say 'My Congresswoman wears braids.'" said Congresswoman Pressley.
#2020Goals: Join the Movement During National Mentoring Month!
Resolving to do something different this year?
Join the movement or ask others to join it with you. January is National Mentoring Month, a great way to kick off your year by taking steps toward your 2020 goals.
Not a Big Sister yet? Consider becoming one today! You can easily schedule a call with one of our Recruitment Specialists to learn more or fill out an application online to kick-start your Big Sister journey.
Already part of the movement? Spread the word!
- Copy and paste this link into your browser for an image you can right click and download to use as your social media profile picture, post, or story: //images.bigsister.org/100-InvestinGirls-NMM2020-IG.jpg
- Encourage other women in your network to become Big Sisters by emailing them or posting the above links to your social media accounts
- Link to www.bigsister.org in your social media bio
- Got a birthday or other milestone occasion coming up? Create a Facebook fundraiser in support of Big Sister Boston
Mark Your Calendar
January 28
New Girls Network: Class of 2020 Launch
5:30 PM - 8:00 PM
PricewaterhouseCoopers
101 Seaport Blvd, Boston
Are you ready to make 2020 the year you go for that promotion, raise, or new career path? Hear from a panel of seasoned professional women and get matched with your own mentor who will help you achieve your professional or personal goals this year. This isn’t your “old boys club,” this is Big Sister Boston’s New Girls Network. Event is open to in-process or current Big Sisters, Young Professional Board members, Diversity Board members, and Big Sister Boston staff.
Click here for more information and to register by January 22
April 14
Project Role Model Fashion Show
6:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Fairmont Copley Plaza, Boston
Remarkable role models, fabulous fashion, and fundraising with flair! Tickets available online mid-February. If you're interested in receiving notification of ticket sales or sponsorship opportunities, please contact Erin Barfield at ebarfield@bigsister.org.
Click here for more information and updates.
Big
& Little Sister Events
Various dates
Community-Based Mentoring Big Sisters: be sure to check your email or ask your Match Support Specialist for information on upcoming events for you and your Little Sister! From Galentine's Day to our annual Appreciation Breakfast, we've got something for every Sister to enjoy in the coming months.
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