Poised to A leader among her peers and daughter of alumna
Maria Elena Hernandez ’90, Marlen Miranda ’16 recently made a name for herself as one of the 2015 ANNpower Fellows. The ANNpower Vital Voices Initiative is a dynamic partnership between ANN INC., parent company of Ann Taylor and LOFT, and Vital Voices. They work together to empower young women from across the U.S. with the leadership skills they need to “affect global progress, invest in their communities and begin their journeys as the next generation of leaders.”
One of Only 50 Fellows Chosen Marlen Miranda ’16 was selected as one of 50 young women from more than 5,000 applicants to become an ANNpower Fellow. She participated in the ANNpower Vital Voices Leadership Forum, a three-day leadership training and mentorship program in Washington, DC. over the summer. Following the forum, Marlen submitted and received approval for a proposal to implement a project that would positively affect the community.
Informing and giving young women the opportunity to learn about future career paths they can attain. End the inequality against women by empowering young women about their power, value, and strength. Empowering young women to fulfill their dreams through education. “Girls 4 Change Forum” With a grant of $2,250, Marlen created a day of mentorship for young women. Titled “Girls 4 Change Forum” Marlen invited young women to spend the day engaging in conversations with professionals from the fields of health, medicine, business, STEM, arts, humanities, and public and social services.
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Powerful women leaders joined Marlen at her forum: Stephanie Myers, co-founder of Dogin Hood AC; Paola Avila Gorostiza ’93, Vice President of International Business Affairs for the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce; Danitza Villanueva ’98, co-founder and publisher of Giving Back Magazine; Alicia Avila Outcalt, MSW, LCSW, psychotherapist; Terry Laszio-Gopadze, awardwinning author; and Anel Lizcano, Ph.D., postdoctoral fellow in the department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine at University of California, San Diego.
The ANNpower Vital Voices Initiative... empowers young women to ‘affect global progress, invest in their communities and begin their journeys as the next generation of leaders.’ Students enjoyed 30-minute rotations that included learning activities related to the field and conversations related to career pathways within the field. Marlen succeeded in her effort to broaden the mindsets of the participants. The girls loved their day together and left better prepared to be the next generation of leaders in our world!
To learn more about the ANNpower Vital Voices program, visit annpower.vitalvoices.org Above: Marlen and her guest speakers (more information above). Below left: Marlen’s ANNpower photo. Below middle: The Girls 4 Change logo. Below right: The post Marlen created to advertise and invite girls to her Girls 4 Change event.