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Gunther Girls in Action
photo by Gabriela Ramirez, 2008 Fellow and photojournalist.
Jena Perry, Diversity Works participant.
Sahara is a gifted writer, dancer, musician, and student. She is a multi-year Eva Gunther Fellow.
Stories from our Fellows
Above all, our best advocates are our fellowship recipients!
Take the example of Elissia, a recent Eva fellowship recipient. At age 17, she overcame many challenges to get the most from her semester at Tall Ships Education Academy:
“In my life I have been through so much. I have had no electricity for months at a time and the death of my mother took a major toll on my life. My dad took care of me since I was six years old; just imagine a six year old who is now seventeen growing up without a mother. I always found something that I did not like about myself like I was too fat, my eyes were too thin, my feet were too big, basically anything negative I could ever find about myself I would fixate on. This is where my semester at sea transformation began.
I can’t even began to state what it would be like if I would have never gone on this trip. I am now a sailor; I am someone who you can come to whether the news is good or bad; I am that shoulder that everyone is looking for. I am your sister, your daughter, your friend; the one who people tore down to the lowest point and didn’t think I would rise up. I am someone who looks at her struggles, and molds them into stairs helping me to get higher and higher.”
A small gift like a fellowship has such an enduring impact for these young women. In a time of great need, we must work together so that girls like Elissia can continue to participate in programs that can change the rest of their lives.
To read more stories, click here:
Marjorie Morgen’s Story
Marjorie participated in Girls Inc.’s Eureka! Program in 2008.
“In this program, I have become one with many girls. Yes, there were a few times when I had disagreements with girls, but I worked them out and build strong, ever-lasting friendships. I have not only become friends with participants in this program, but I also have gained trust and become friends with actual staff members in Eureka!.
What I am most grateful for, when I think of Eureka!, are the experiences I had exploring the working world. My most recent internship was at Gap Inc. in San Francisco. I am really not lying when I say that I had a great time there! I was involved in a lot of meetings, and I even got to hear some of the most important people from Gap Inc., like the CEO, speak. Charlene, who was my sponsor, really helped to give me some ideas about what I might want to do in the future.
Eureka! gave me an opportunity to set a positive example for my family, my friends, and myself. It taught me to take initiative, to be a role model, and to expand my horizons. To be honest, coming into this program, I really didn’t think I would ever go to college. I just didn’t think it was that important. But, thanks to the workshops I took at Eureka! and the things that I saw and learned about at my internship this summer, I now have decided that I will be crossing that stage and getting my college diploma some day soon. Eureka taught me to keep pushing forward until you have met not only one, but all of your hopes and dreams.”
Kelli Bernard’s story
Kelli Bernard, a senior in high school, participated in GirlSource’s programs.
“Growing up in the city has been one of the greatest experiences in my life. It has allowed me to be part of the greatest group in the city, which is GirlSource team. This experience is something that I wouldn’t mind repeating over and over again. I have gained so many friends and two mentors, along with computer skills and leadership skills. I have learned to trust and let go. I appreciate my GirlSource team and I recommend this to any girls out there who wish they had the chance to be free. Thank you to the foundation for helping me make it possible for me to be at GirlSource.”