Meet the FGBG Girl...
She is the girl next door. Downtown metropolitan or small town main street. She's aware. She's fashionable. She's quality conscious. And, she desires growth. For Girls By Girls Magazine.

Story by Becca,
continued..

I now concentrate most of my efforts working with girls from low income neighborhoods as I believe that science can be a way out of poverty for these girls. We hold our camps in local community centers or provide them for organizations who work with "at risk" kids. It is so rewarding to see the stars in the eyes of these girls when they launch their first rocket!

Much to my surprise my efforts in my community were recognized by Kmart! I was recently named one of the Kmart Class Acts Grand Prize Winners! They whisked me off to NYC where I was picked up by a limo and treated to the most amazing time of my life! I got to see a Broadway play, a live MTV taping and too many other incredible things to mention. But the thing that rocked the entire trip was that I got to be in a real New York photo shoot and model clothes for the Kmart back to school ad!!!! They gave me a whole new look and I felt like I was in a fairy tale or something! They even taught me how to maintain my new look and some of my friends didn't even recognize me on the first day of school! But best of all, they also gave me a college scholarship AND made a HUGE donation to an elementary school that is being built in my area that will be completely focused on aerospace!!! I am still pinching myself to be sure it wasn't all a dream!

I guess one of the things that I am the happiest about is that I know that I am changing attitudes about women. A mother of a camper called to share this story with me. The campers little brother was watching the news when some male astronauts came on the screen. He turned to his mom and said "But mommy, I thought you had to be a GIRL to be an astronaut!" You've got to admit, THAT TOTALLY ROCKS!

People often ask me what gifts I have that have made my program so successful and what they can do in their own communities. First I tell them to look at their own personal talents. Whatever you have to give, I guarantee that there is someone out there that needs that very thing. And nothing on earth makes you feel better than knowing that you have done something that has an influence for good in the world. But most often I tell people that all it really takes to make a difference is to be the person who is willing to try. After that, everything else seems to work itself out.

Today. Tomorow.
The future. Your future.
You.