Caring Causes: Female Strong

 

I recently had a chance to interview the founder of Female Strong, a non-profit organization that offers guidance to middle and high school-aged girls helping them to become business future leaders.  

According to a Harvard Business Review report released in 2021, 17 percent of Black women have started or run new businesses. This is higher than the percentage of white women (10 percent) and white men (15 percent) who are doing the same. In fact, of all new female business owners, 42 percent are Black women.The same report also revealed that 61 percent of Black women self-fund their entire start-up capital, but that only three percent of them are running businesses that matured beyond the start-up phase because they lack access to capital and support.

 

Why was Female Strong created?
Female Strong was created to be a place where girls can see what they can be. The reality is, at age 6 - 85% of girls believe they will be as successful as boys in their chosen career path. By the time those same girls reach the age of 19 that drops to 35%. Confidence and belief go hand in hand. The belief factor is the cornerstone of confidence. With belief you are anchored in an ideal, vision, dream and outcome.  
#1: Confidence is the top answer when girls were asked what they need to succeed
1 in 3 girls say that they are afraid to be a leader because they don’t want to be thought of as ‘bossy’*
47% of girls think most girls their age are embarrassed to be smart.*
46% of high school girls do not believe they are smart enough for their dream career.*
42% of girls believe that there are certain jobs that are better for men than women.*
By getting to girls during these critical building years, we can help change the trajectory, getting more females into the board rooms, in leadership positions, and creating more women entrepreneurs, and help to close the gender gap and inequalities that exist today.  

What are some ways people can support women and girls in business?
It is all about exposure: exposing them to as many incredible mentors or role models as possible. Getting them out of the classrooms and giving them a safe space to have these discussions and explore opportunities outside of their comfort zone. We have a community of like-minded women that want to make it better for those coming after them.  

How does FS transform Girl Power into Women's Power?  

We have supported 1000 girls to date and want to help 1 million females in the next 9 years to become whatever they set out to be. Each year we send two girls to ivy league schools for summer camp and many have gone on to receive full ride scholarships- we are changing their trajectory and making an impact. 100% of our girls indicate they feel more confident after our programs than before and have active alumni of student ambassadors that are paving the way for girls that are coming after them.  It is creating a ripple effect that is immeasurable.