“The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.”
—Eleanor Roosevelt
I recently attended the Women and Philanthropy Forum: Women Share Their Stories, a program hosted by George Washington University. This program highlighted the social and economic change driven by women’s philanthropy.
During the luncheon, I was particularly impressed by the Hot Mommas Project, which provides a venue for women to share their personal and professional stories through case studies. The goal of the Hot Mommas Project is to “increase the self-efficacy of women and girls across the globe through exposure to role models.” This is achieved through a compilation of case studies in an effort to build the world’s largest women’s case study library.
The case studies are free and available online and are designed for educators, women, and girls to learn from the experiences of other women who have overcome challenges, pursued their goals, and shared their stories. The case studies provide inspiring lessons that help other women realize that they can pursue their dreams despite the roadblocks that life may throw their way.
I was moved by the stories of the case study winners who were honored at the luncheon. They believe that women helping women is the best way we can learn, move forward, and continue to extend our hand to women leaders around the globe.
One woman, Alexandra Bono, shared her story about the tragic passing of her brother. Her case study explores how she overcame personal challenges while in school. She won best case by an undergraduate student.
Another case study winner won an award in the STEM category; the title of her case is “No One Else is Going To Do It.” Her story explains that the first thing on her to-do list was cure cancer.
If you are interested in nominating a person who has a compelling story, you can e-mail Hot Mommas directly at support@hotmommasproject.org and copy the nominee. To learn more about why you should share your story, visit the Hot Mommas blog.
The Hot Mommas Project provides the following tips for individuals interested in writing a case study:
- Brainstorm your story and think about your background, leadership moments, and personal and professional issues.
- Listen to the podcast tutorial, watch the video tutorial, which features live case study interviews, or read the written tutorial.
- Visit the case library for examples.
This is an excellent opportunity for AAUW members to become involved and share insight on their personal and professional journeys. You certainly have inspiring and empowering stories to share. Let your voice be heard, and share your story today.
