Local Nonprofit Has Global Impact
By Ashraya Gupta

“You’re never too young and you’re never too old to make a difference,” says Lisa Alter, a longtime resident of Seaview and founder of Girls Learn International (GLI), a nonprofit that has recently made some exciting strides. Alter is in her late 40s. Her cofounders, her two daughters, are still in their teens. They are making that difference in an innovative, yet surprisingly simple way.

The idea is this: an American GLI chapter is matched with a partner school in a region where girls’ education has been historically neglected or denied. Currently, there are 25 chapters in the U.S., located primarily in the Northeast. Each chapter fundraises, sends letters, and learns about activism firsthand. Alter believes this is the most important part: not only to provide education and support for girls worldwide, but to show girls that they are capable of making this change themselves.

On April 30, GLI held its third annual summit in New York City. Student representatives from various chapters discussed a number of different issues: sex trafficking, violence against women, and the role of the media, among others. Last year’s summit featured only 15 schools; this year, the number was up to 20. The 2006 summit was also the first to feature an awards ceremony, honoring a number of feminists and activists: Mukhtar Mai, founder of the Mukhtar Mai School in Pakistan; Dr. Amna Buttar, president of ANAA, the Asian-American Network Against Abuse of Human Rights; Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton, known for her support of women’s rights; Representative Carolyn B. Maloney, who has worked intensively to battle child prostitution; Cindi Leive, editor of Glamour magazine; and Gloria Steinem, famed feminist and founder of Ms. magazine. It’s not often so many champions of women’s rights meet in one room, but considering the nature of GLI, it’s not surprising.

After all, the nonprofit depends on self-made women, like Alter. A graduate of Wesleyan University and NYU School of Law, Alter has worked in copyright law for over 20 years and served as adjunct professor of law at both Rutgers University and Benjamin Cardozo Law School. While she has volunteered time in the past to education and human rights, it was comparatively recently that Alter hit upon the idea of GLI.

During her daily commute to New York, Alter read countless articles describing abuses to women worldwide: genital mutilation, gang rapes, spousal burning—the list was long and little seemed to change. Alter began decrying such human rights violations to her family, especially to her daughters, Jordana and Arielle. Finally, 9-year-old Jordana said, “Stop talking about these things and do something.” A few years later, the first chapter of GLI opened at Jordana’s school. Jordana was in eighth grade by then and became president of the nascent chapter.

Now Jordana is chair of the Junior Board and has seen GLI grow from a school club to a powerful force for change. In three short years, the nonprofit has not only gained star-studded support, but has been a true success. Last year, the Top Ride School in Kenya received $1,500; this school-year, Westfield High School raised $2,500 for Mai’s school. Most of this money comes from bake sales and the like, showing that small actions can generate big changes.

The 2006 summit focused on just such grassroots activism, like the work of Mukhtar Mai in Pakistan. Mai, a gang-rape victim in an Islamic society where rape victims are often ostracized, spoke out and took her case to court. Mai won, and using the money she was awarded, founded a school in her village.

At the summit, Mai said her biggest supporters during her case had been educated women; she wanted to ensure such support for others. When the school opened, Mai, who had never had an education, was the first student to enroll. The Junior Board of GLI expressed a desire to commend Mai’s work and decided to create the Humanitarian of Universal Girls’ Education (HUGE) award. But they didn’t want to stop there.

Soon, the nonprofit began contacting other women, telling them they wanted to honor their work and asking if they would be interested in attending the summit. “And everybody said yes,” said Alter.

At the summit, each woman thanked GLI, discussed their work and spoke about the meaning of empowerment. Senator Clinton said she was honored to be in the same company as the other honorees and that “We need to stand for a positive agenda around the world.” Maloney encouraged the students, saying, “If you think you can’t do it, just turn around and take a look at the fools who do.”

Buttar focused on ending oppression with education, calling upon everyone to join her in a resounding cry of “No!” to human rights abuses. She described empowerment in two steps: first, question opposition and stand up for yourself; second, stand up for others.

Throughout the summit, the speakers focused on this idea of camaraderie. Leive said “[Successful women] never make me feel that I’m less, they just make me feel that I can be more.”

Almost every speaker commended Gloria Steinem, describing the impact she had on them as young women. Steinem showed admiration for her audience, calling the auditorium a “microcosm of what the world could be” if organizations like GLI continue to pursue their goals.

What really makes Girls Learn International work is that it’s simply a good idea. And people respond to that. Steinem, Leivi and Maloney have joined the advisory board; Maloney’s daughter is starting a chapter at her school. Alter says that every day, she receives letters and emails from students who want to do the same. Minnesota, Arizona, California—Alter looks forward to the day when there will be chapters in each of the 50 states. She also hopes to expand the college leadership division, which will oversee the school chapters, bringing peers and mentors together.

To these young women and girls, Alter says, “Your voice as a 12-year-old is as important as mine. Now more than ever there is an opportunity to make a global change.”

Bake sales are only the beginning.

For more information regarding Girls Learn International, visit www.girlslearninternational.org