Have you heard of Smart Girls Group? If not, it’s time to learn about it, especially if there is a young lady in your life. The organization, founded in 2012 by then high school senior Emily Raleigh, aims to empower tomorrow’s leaders with readily available tools.
One of those tools is the first annual Smart Girls Conference, hosted at NYC’s Fordham University Lincoln Center on July 9-10. The lineup most definitely rivals more nationally known women’s conferences, which is a nod to Raleigh. Young girls are impressionable. Why not impress and inspire them with women that have followed their dreams and succeeded?
“We have been planning the conference since we won the Kenneth Cole AWEARNESS Grant last year but kicked preparation into gear back in January,” says Raleigh. “Our speakers are some of our greatest inspirations so having them a part of this is incredible. I’m just excited for all of our attendees to get to learn from them!”
Keynote speakers include Jill Abramson, the former executive editor of The New York Times; Lauren Bush Lauren, founder of FEED; Brenda Berkman, first woman firefighter of the NYFD; D’Arcy F. Rudnay, Comcast Corp.’s chief communications officer; Naomi Hirabavashi, DoSomething.org’s chief marketing officer; Tammy Tibbetts, founder of She’s the First, which organizes a network to sponsor education to girls from low-income countries. Those six are just a a few of the powerhouses that help further educate the next generation of influential women. As well as speakers, the conference hosts panels, workshops and most importantly, networking.
“My long-term vision for the conference is for us to have it annually and to keep raising the bar for what we provide at the event. We are already brainstorming for next year so I’m sure it will only get better and better!,” says Raleigh.
The group also works throughout the year with memberships, “Smart Girl Sisters,” in 48 states and 25-plus countries through its online community. There are online classes, a book club, e-newsletters, the monthly digital magazine Smart Girl’s Guide (click to read the current issue), live events and giveaways.
What: A unique sisterhood environment
When: July 9 to July 10, 2014
Where: Fordham University Lincoln Center, 113 W. 60th Street, NY, NY
Why: To arm young women with the tools needed to succeed in all facets of life
$$$: General public early registration is through July 7 for $59.99. Tickets can be purchased here. Receive a discount by using the code friendsofsmartgirls at checkout.
Muses & Visionaries is a sponsor partner for SmartGirls Conference 2014.
