Education has become used as a weapon of oppression.
In nations across the world, attending school is noted more as a privilege and not an obligation. Therefore, those who cannot afford the "luxury" are left without; and those who can, like many of us in America, take it for granted. While this is merely an argument, increases in high school dropout rates and low graduation populations prove the almost certainty of this madness. Studies from the National Women's Law Center states, "Approximately 1,000 high school students will drop out with each hour that passes in a school day in America... In fact, one in four girls overall do not finish high school, and the numbers are worse for girls of color."
There is no real need to publicize the importance of education for audiences reading this. Before we could even stand up straight some of our parents were reading us bedtime stories and practicing the alphabet. And honestly speaking, parents didn't do this to ensure their child was the next brainiac or multi-millionaire. A lot of families here in America, much like mine, started with immigrant parents moving to the United States away from family and security by flights and by feet just to provide a better education for their children. But what about those who never make it? Are we supposed to forget the labor of our fruits when we have finally received the fruits our labor?
Luckily, I'm not the only one who realizes the psycho-subconscious oppression that comes with never having an education. She's the First, is a nonprofit organization designed to sponsor girls in low-income countries to become the first in their family to obtain an education worth having. Recently, Isley Bolar, a sophomore at Howard University has started a movement organizing a new chapter of She's the First on HU's campus, along with VP, Jori Gilbert, another sophomore from Chicago, Illinois.
Founded by Tammy Tibbetts in 2009, She’s the First sponsors girls education by providing tuition, books, room & board, mentorship and much more to females all across the border. More importantly, this philanthropic organization helps girls "fight back the oppressive nature of these countries by receiving an education," says Bolar, 19. Helping girls in Ethiopia, Kenya, Nepal, India, Sierra Lionne, South Sudan, Peru, and many other countries, She’s the First proves that an education worth having is an education worth giving.
Currently, with 177 chapters across the country, She’s the First continues their donation campaign raising money for over 647 girls everywhere, having already given 1,722 years of education total. In each effort, they continuously encourage girl power, womanhood, and sisterhood above all. continues their donation campaign raising money for over 647 girls everywhere, having already given 1,722 years of education total. In each effort, they continuously encourage girl power, womanhood, and sisterhood above all.
Click the link below to help young girls around the world rise above the stereotypical suppressive quandaries and dare to tackle the world one classroom at a time.
