July Newsletter: Girl-Focused Events and Global Staff Retreat!

She’s the First fights for a world where every girl can choose her own future. We believe that every girl should be educated, respected, and heard. Our monthly newsletter brings you the latest news and information on uplifting girls’ power.?

This month, we’re recapping our recent trip to Nairobi, Kenya, for the Girls First Summit and our global staff retreat. We also share some new additions to the organization!?

She’s the First Highlights!

Every month, we like to highlight important milestones, events, and accomplishments by our staff and organization. This month, we’d love to give a shout out to our Programs Team for organizing and leading this year’s Girls First Summit and staff retreat!?

Our seventh annual Girls First Summit was hosted in Nairobi, Kenya, from July 5th to 7th. We were able to bring together 12 of the community-based organizations in our Partner Coalition to discuss the skills, training, and resources needed to advocate for girls' rights across the globe. In addition to the Partner Coalition, leaders from over 40 organizations from eight different countries joined us! On July 8th, our Girl-Centered Incubator fellows met for the second time! This program is for women who have founded community-based organizations that work towards securing rights and transforming outcomes for girls in their communities.?

Following the Girls First Summit, we enjoyed this year’s global staff retreat in Nairobi, Kenya, where we reflected on our work and strategized how to make our impact stronger. We also enjoyed learning about Kenya’s wildlife and environment at the Giraffe Centre! Additionally, our Director of Advocacy and Communications, Kate Lord, Senior Program Manager Ceci Arriaza, and Program Assistant Florence Sidi made a site visit to our partner Savana Kitui and saw how our work impacts girls in Kenya.

We would also like to recognize our Director of Programs and Impact, Kate Kiama, for representing She’s the First at the Women Deliver Conference held in Kigali, Rwanda, from July 17th to July 21st! Kate played the “What Would You Do?” card game with girls and mentors. This game was created by She’s the First to build healthy relationships and create safe personal boundaries. Learn more and download the card game here.

On August 5th, we’ll also host our annual She’s the First Summit. Leaders from each of our STF campus chapters will meet virtually to learn more about the Global Girls’ Bill of Rights and attend sessions with guest speakers who have worked with one of the 10 rights.?

We’d like to give a warm welcome to our new additions to the STF team!?

Brooke Williams (she/her) recently joined She’s the First as a Social Media Specialist! Raised in Vicksburg, Mississippi, Brooke has always had a mission to improve Mississippi and the Black community in many facets. Brooke received her bachelor’s in Business Administration from Mississippi State University and a master’s degree from Belhaven University. Not only was Brooke an involved community activist while in college, she continued to do her part by working for an organization with that exact mission. As the Director of Communications at Mississippi First, an education policy nonprofit, she is responsible for developing, coordinating, and executing strategic communications and public affairs efforts, strategies, and plans. She continues her purpose-driven work by dedicating her spare time and skills to helping various nonprofit activities and organizations expand their capacity and meet the demands of their communities.?

Joy Nzuki (she/her) has joined the Programs Team as an intern! She is a recent graduate from Strathmore Law School, where she developed a passion for research, particularly in the areas of law and dispute resolution. Beyond her passion for law, Joy is deeply committed to community service and addressing pertinent issues affecting her community. She is an advocate for menstrual awareness and girls’ rights. Her dedication to community service and the law have fueled her passion for advocating for social justice, community development, and women’s rights.?

Be sure to follow us on Instagram at @shesthefirst for the first look at what we’re up to!

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