Empowering Teen Girls Globally

Last month we launched something powerful: a campaign shaped by courage, possibility, and transformation: Leadership Looks Like Me.

Because when a girl speaks her truth, the universe doesn’t stay the same, it expands.

Across more than fifty countries, She Is The Universe has become a place where girls step into their confidence, claim their stories, and rise into their leadership. For many, it is the first space where their voice echoes back with affirmation. It is the first time they feel like their voice matters. 

And we begin with a story that captures the magic of that transformation: a girl who discovered herself, her passion, and the strength of her voice through this community.

Meet Brittany

When Brittany was 17, she was standing at a crossroads many girls know too well:
finishing high school, staring at the uncertainty of the future, and feeling completely lost.

In her words, “I had no idea what I was going to do after leaving high school, no idea about my dreams.”

Not because she wasn’t capable but because she didn’t recognize herself yet.
She didn’t know her hobbies, her passions, or even who she was becoming.And like so many girls, she felt scared, unsure, and alone.

But in 2023, everything shifted.

Brittany joined the Girls Galaxy Program at She Is The Universe, and for the first time, she stepped into a space where girls from around the world welcomed her exactly as she was.

She found friends from different countries who understood her.
She found mentors who inspired her, challenged her, and believed in her.
She found a community where she could talk about her fears, her passions, and her dreams.

And little by little, something beautiful began to happen.

Brittany realized that every passion she carried - technology, art, girls’ empowerment- didn’t have to stay separate.
She could combine them.
She could create with them.
She could lead with them.

Through this program, she discovered “who I am as Brittany to the world.”

Today, Brittany is following her dreams with confidence and clarity.
She knows her path.
She knows her purpose.
And she wants every girl to feel what she felt:
the moment she finally saw herself as a leader.

She ended her message with a truth we carry throughout this campaign:
“Leadership looks like me — and together we can support the next generation of girls.”

This is the universe that begins when one girl speaks.

Girls like Brittany deserve to be seen.
They deserve to be supported.
They deserve to discover who they are and who they can become.

And your support makes that possible.

A simple way to help right now:

If Brittany’s journey touched you, we invite you to help another girl begin hers.

Your gift helps a girl rise.
And when one girl rises, the world rises with her.

Links:

• Donate here

At She is the Universe, we believe that girls should not only be heard, they should be leading. That’s why we launched the Galaxy SuperStar Committee, a dynamic group of our most engaged girls who are helping guide our work from the inside out. These young leaders are not just participants, they are co-creators of this global sisterhood.

The SuperStars are the beating heart of our community. From gathering feedback to co-designing community experiences, they ensure that every voice is reflected in what we build. Their presence is shaping a future where girls are not simply invited to the table, but are pulling up chairs for others too.

The Galaxy SuperStars Committee exists to ensure that girls feel a deep sense of belonging within the She is the Universe community. By creating a strong bridge between the core team and the wider network of girls, this committee fosters mutual trust, shared responsibility, and connection. These young leaders from all over the globe are empowered to take ownership of the community’s vibrancy, providing real-time feedback, offering guidance on new programs, and supporting key management tasks. Their presence ensures that decisions are informed by the lived experiences and voices of the girls we serve. Together, they help shape a more accountable, responsive, and heart-centered space for all.

This model ensures our programming is not top-down. Rather, it is collective, participatory, and deeply girl-led.

SuperStar Spotlight: Andrea Morales Peña — A Bridge Builder

One of the guiding stars of this committee is Andrea Morales Peña, who serves as the connector between the SuperStars and the She is the Universe team. Based in Bolivia, Andrea brings deep empathy, sharp insight, and unwavering dedication to her role. She is not just a messenger, she is a bridge.

"Being the coordinator of the SuperStar Committee has been both a leadership challenge and a powerful community learning journey. I’ve come to realize that we are constantly learning from one another, and I truly believe that what we are building is bigger than ourselves — it’s for the girls! Now, more than ever, the world needs us to take action and share the gifts we have to offer."
— Andrea Morales Peña, Bolivia 

Andrea meets regularly with the committee, gathers feedback from the wider community, and ensures that no idea, no dream, and no concern gets lost. Her leadership has been instrumental in helping our team move with greater care and clarity.

Continue Being a Part of the Magic 

We believe deeply in shared power. The Galaxy SuperStars are proof of what happens when that power is placed in the hands of the girls we serve.

Behind all of this is you and your unwavering support. Your support makes all of this possible. From mentorship programs to storytelling circles and girl-led initiatives, every donation fuels the dreams and leadership of girls around the world.

Make a gift today to help us continue empowering the next generation of changemakers. Together, we are building a universe where every girl knows she belongs and leads. <3