With over 520,000 of the estimated dropouts from the class of 2007 being girls, I created Grad Girls Network to shape underprivileged teen girls into confident and socially responsible high school graduates who inspire their fellow peers to finish school and lead productive lives.

Like many of the girls who we serve, I also grew up in a low income and single parent household. In addition to having a supportive mother at home, I was always inspired by friends who against all odds were driven to make a better future for themselves.

Because many of the negative decisions that high school girls make are directly affected by the influence of their peers, the afterschool program pair’s students with professional women mentors and educates girls on becoming a positive role model to other teens. This contributes to assisting them with upon graduation, becoming the next generation of leaders capable of inspiring generations to come.

Girls Network currently reaches over 2,000 girls at Los Angeles area high schools and will soon expand to include locations in Tucson, AZ with a goal to create at least 10 new chapters in 2010.