RC Blog December 2024
When we launched Girls of Legacy, it wasn’t just about providing scholarships—it was about building a movement to inspire and uplift young women who might not otherwise have the resources or support to chase their dreams. Today, I’m thrilled to share how this program is transforming lives and creating opportunities for the next generation of Texas women leaders.
In just a short time since the program was started, we have granted over $100,000 in scholarships for sixteen incredible girls. Our amazing Girls of Legacy mentors have dedicated their time to connecting with these young women and providing coaching, encouragement, support, and resources as they embark on their higher education and career journeys and start preparing their career paths.
Seven of our sixteen participants are students from Success High School in Round Rock, Texas, an alternative school geared towards a unique approach to supporting students to achieve their high school diploma that would otherwise be high risk for drop out. These young women face challenges that would make many of us stumble, but their resilience inspires me every day.
Recently, through our nonprofit that serves as the conduit for our Girls of Legacy program, I hosted a two-day girls’ assembly at Success High. Over 50 girls attended the keynote and QA sessions to share my LostGirl story and provide essential tips on my road to success, demonstrating to them that despite what they face in life, with hard work, mentors, strong values, education and a resolve to thrive, their potential has no limits. We encountered several impact stories after each session but one in particular stands out that I want to share here. I received an email the following week from a student in attendance and she said, “Ever since your presentation, I have been touched deeply by your story and message. After enduring similar trauma growing up, I've realized I've lost my spark as I’ve gotten older. But your words at the assembly gave me a feeling I haven't felt in years, and I felt so motivated, and I started to apply that message to my life. You're an amazing example for little Hispanic girls to look up to." It is moments like these that remind me why this mission is so important. ". To watch the event highlight of our time at Success HS and learn more click here.
One of our Girls of Legacy shining stars is Alaiysha, a third year STEM major at Texas A&M, a Success High School graduate, and a member of Girls of Legacy since the launch of this program. I have personally been Alaiysha’s mentor for three years and following her educational and personal journey has been nothing short of extraordinary. With her mom and brother living in Jamaica, Alaiysha leaned on the program for the encouragement and guidance she needed to navigate life’s challenges. This year, we made it possible for her family to travel to the US for the first time and visit College Station Texas for her Texas A&M ring ceremony—a milestone in her journey—and helped her purchase her class ring. This year after a long 10-year wait, Alaiysha recently became a U.S. citizen, and she is now determined to use her success to inspire others, just as she has been inspired by this program. In a heartfelt lunch with her family, her mother Terry said to me in tears “Thank you for being there to mentor and support my Alaiysha, with you by her side I have comfort and assurance knowing she will succeed here in America. Being so far away from her is hard but you are a Godsend to our family, thank you for believing and investing in her". To watch the event highlight of my encounter with her family and learn more about Alaiysha’s journey click here.
These stories are the heart and soul of my Girls of Legacy program; we are literally creating impact and changing lives that have long term positive implications for our girls. With your support, we can continue to make a difference. Every contribution received is matched dollar for dollar and goes directly to creating scholarships and opportunities for these amazing young women. Together, we can nurture the leaders of tomorrow and build a legacy that lasts for generations.
If Alaiysha's story inspires you as much as it inspires me, I invite you to join us in this mission. Let’s give more girls the tools to achieve their dreams and the confidence to pay it forward.
We are currently running a match dollar for dollar campaign for our Girls of Legacy Scholarship Fund, every dollar donated will be 100% matched! To support this mission and donate towards our scholarship fund visit https://www.launchpadthecenter.org/donate.
To see more event highlights of all of our recent Girls of Legacy events visit here.
Visit Rebecca’s site to learn more about the Girls of Legacy and to give back this holiday season. And to stay in touch, find Rebecca on social media through Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram.
Comments