Testimonials

I enjoyed practicing my public speaking skills and learning about a variety of different ways we can become better leaders not just for ourselves but for the world, how we can make an impact.  The most meaningful project we did has to be the Social Justice presentations as part of the JUST Girls World Program. At first,  I did not know what world issue to focus on so I was just assigned one, but I was really happy with the results. I was assigned Human Equity and I did not really know what that meant. However, as I started my project and saw the other people in my group's passion, I  was really connected to the topic. I learned that Human Equity could mean a variety of different things such as gender equality, racism, people with disabilities or special needs, immigration and so much more. Learning about all these different attributes to Human Equity really helped me to understand the injustices of the world. I feel as if our Social Justice Fair got me to do a lot more research on my topic and really connect with what I was talking and learning about and made me passionate about a topic and it made me want to start to make a difference and change what was occurring to these families and individuals. Also seeing my classmates’  presentations and seeing what they were passionate about was a side of them I never noticed or even thought about before and it engaged me more into trying to change the world for the better. So I would have to say that this experience really opened up my eyes and mind to the problems that we need to fix.

Public Speaking is a really important part of everyone's day to day life. It is especially important to speak out about something that you care about. There are a lot of girls who stay quiet about horrible situations that have happened to them because they are afraid to speak up and I do not want to fall into the category. I would like to speak up about anything that I feel is necessary and that needs to be heard and to not feel afraid or think that nobody would care. I also would like to try to help other girls that feel like they have to stay quiet about an experience that happened to them. So if they feel as if nobody would care or support them or believe them that is not true. I want to be somebody to these girls that stay quiet to let them know that I do care and I will support them and I will believe them if they have no one else that would be there for them. I want to be that person for them. Also it is not just traumatic events that took place but also if they have an opinion about something or a passion but are too scared or feel as if their voice does not matter I want to help them understand that their voice does matter and what they have to say does matter and that they matter no matter what anybody tells them. I think that public speaking will not only benefit myself but also everyone else. Those who need to hear that they matter and that they are worth it. Those that need to work on their self-worth and I believe that with what I have to say it will help them understand how amazing and life changing they can be. I learned how to be an advocate at the JUST Girls World Program.

Courage is doing something even though you are afraid. I had lots of times where I think I showed courage but one thing that really changed the perception of fear is when I spoke out about homelessness during our Social Justice Fair as part of the JUST Girls Wold Program. I went to an organization called the Greater Boston Food Bank. I was helping out, trying to give a hand to organize food  boxes and assemble them. We made 8,768 boxes so lunches could go in so it could be given to the homeless people in Boston. This program helped me to grow as a leader by standing up for other people who need help even if they are strangers and I am afraid to do so. Being able to do that takes courage and character. I learned that with the JUST Girls World Program.

There were many times when I was alone during the pandemic and I had someone very special to me, Ms.Cenca, checking in with me. She was so supportive of me and helped me get through it all. Working together had us on the right track and it was also an experience that taught me working as a group is better. She taught us to always stand up for ourselves, voice our concerns and value who we are as part of the JUST Girls World Program. 

One of the most meaningful programs that I participated in was the JUST Girls World Project. I was able to volunteer at Walnut Street Adult Home, which was the most fulfilling service experience I have ever had. We also had a guest speaker who was enlightening on the subject of immigration in the United States and encouraged us to get involved with this issue and other social justice issues. But the most important and meaningful part of the Social Justice Program was researching and crafting a presentation about gender based violence towards women. I knew going into the Human Equity group that I wanted to focus on issues that affected women. I chose gender based violence because of its huge impact on women as a whole and therefore on society. The research I did for my presentation was eye opening, and has continued to inspire me to create a service project focused on helping abused women by my senior year. I found over the course of the program, I grew in confidence and was proud of what I had made and how I presented the facts. I felt I made a compelling argument and I attribute the help and encouragement I received from the mentors and leaders in the program who contributed to my  personal success and the success of my presentation.