After being in college for about two years now, I have learned so much about women’s equality and feminism, and about what I stand for and support. Recently, I have become a member of Boston University’s chapter of She’s the First. This organization (along with my studies this semester) has opened my eyes to the fact that so many women and girls in the world do not or cannot receive education when growing up.

She’s the First’s mission as an organization is to provide scholarships to girls in low-income countries in order for them to grow up and live to their full potential and become to world’s next leaders. The organization focuses primarily on girls that are at the secondary schooling level, since many factors at that age can hinder a girl’s education. Even though the organization focuses solely on girls and achieving equality, there are so many benefits to a girl’s education. She’s the First strides to end poverty and a girl’s education helps to end that poverty.

The international chapters of She’s the First sponsor the girls in these countries to help end the poverty in their towns and achieve greater life expectancy. Since Boston University’s chapter is new, I asked Bekah Heath, the president of the chapter, some questions about She’s the First.

How did you get started with the Chapter?

Bekah: "After studying abroad in London, it was hard to think about coming back to campus even though I was involved with so many clubs and had responsibilities. In order to incentivize coming back to campus, I looked up different clubs to start on campus and came across She’s the First that officially started on campus in December 2015."

What are your expectations for the future of the club?

"Since I am the only senior in the club, it makes me so happy that it will continue on into the future. I’m so happy that this exists, since it’s an outlet for women to learn confidence and learn how to empower themselves. I have great faith for the future to bring lectures to campus that will truly make a difference in every young woman’s life."

What are some events on campus we should look out for?

"From March 14 to 19, BU is having GAP week to educate students on campus about the gender gap and to reduce gender inequality in all aspects of life and across all work fields. She’s the First will hold Sweat for STF, a way to bring fitness and fundraising together. Each day of the week, She’s the First will hold a fitness class for anyone to join in on. From yoga to Zumba, there are so many great classes for people to get their sweat on.

"We will also be having a screening of a documentary later in March with a forum after the screening. And a capella show will also be held, featuring all female groups for a great night of woman empowerment. We will continue to hold bake sales and will participate in #BakeAChange in the fall semester to raise money for She’s the First. We will also be sending a group of girls to New York City in the summer for a She’s the First leadership summit to listen to speakers and network with other women for a great weekend of empowerment."

If She’s the First sounds like a great club for you to learn about female empowerment and help make a change in the world, come hang out with us! We would love to make the club bigger and truthfully cannot wait to make a change across campus for the girls we sponsor. You can like us on Facebook, follow us on Instagram or email us at thefirst@bu.edu. We can’t wait to meet you and help us change girls' education.