If you give girls power during a global pandemic, they will empower others.

She’s the First impacts underserved girls globally. And yet, these girls serve their communities in the most extraordinary ways, even during a crisis like the ongoing pandemic—when their own rights are most at stake.

Our COVID-19 Community Heroes demonstrate that girls are able and ready to lead. Nominated by our partner organizations in 2021, they are shining examples of the change you can support through She’s the First.

All year long, girls give their communities:

Nourishment…

When Rose’s boarding school shut down due to COVID-19, she returned to her home community and realized people were suffering. They were experiencing even higher rates of hunger than before. So she developed The Hunger Project, a creative solution to overcome this challenge.    

Economic Empowerment…

COVID-19 shut down most schools in Sierra Leone. For girls about to graduate, they couldn’t take exams to receive their high school diplomas—which prevented them from applying for better jobs or college. That’s when Haja had an idea to start the Grafton Girl Entrepreneurs Initiative.

Courageous Activism…

Girls and women are experiencing increased rates of domestic violence during the pandemic. Girls at Kusi Kawsay Andean School (Elizangela, Miriam, Kusi Samy, and Flor Melany) inspired their classmates to speak up through videos aimed at the Peruvian government.

Support girls by amplifying their stories or making a gift.