Stories
Stories
Fulfilling Their Promise
After an eye-opening experience as a volunteer mentor, former auto executive Susan Schooner (MBA 1983) launched Girls Group, an organization designed to economically and emotionally support middle and high school girls in the Ann Arbor, Michigan, area. Founded in 2003, the organization’s goal was to help these young women become first-generation college graduates and, perhaps more important, to believe that they had the ability and the smarts to get there through the development of character, leadership skills, and self-confidence.
What started as one woman hoping to mentor a few young girls is now a staff of 11; a dozen social work interns; both part-time and contract staff; numerous volunteers; and 16 board members who do a lot of hands-on work. Girls Group facilitates 15 weekly programs within the public schools and offers an intensive college prep program that includes college tours, SAT and ACT prep courses, and scholarship opportunities. There are book clubs, discussion groups, adventure clubs, and Women of Purpose, a program created for women who have graduated high school and are now in a position to mentor the next generation. Over the last 15 years, Girls Group has worked with 500 young women, many of whom now serve as mentors themselves.
“Girls Group,” says Schooner, “is all about accessing emotions and learning to love yourself; and if you love yourself, then you can love other people and take bigger chances.”
(Published August 2019)
Support the next generation of leaders Make a gift nowPost a Comment
Related Stories
-
- 01 Sep 2024
- HBS Alumni Bulletin
Net Positive
Re: Katlyn Gao (MBA 2007); Kimberly Kitchens (MBA 2008); By: Julia Hanna -
- 09 Jul 2024
- Making A Difference
On Balance
Re: Mary Wooldridge (MBA 1994) -
- 01 Jun 2024
- HBS Alumni Bulletin
In My Humble Opinion: Career Change
Re: Wakana Tanaka (MBA 2003); By: Michelle Cassidy -
- 06 Jul 2023
- HBS Alumni News
Home Economics
Re: Nathalie Laidler-Kylander (MBA 1992); By: April White
Stories Featuring Sue Schooner
-
- 01 Dec 2012
- Alumni Stories
From Where We Stand
Re: Roslyn Payne (MBA 1970); Courtney Leimkuhler (MBA 2007); Myra Hart (MBA 1981); Muriel Maignan (MBA 1997); Benaree Wiley (MBA 1972); Susannah Swihart (MBA 1980); Debby Farrington (MBA 1976); Lisa Carnoy (MBA 1994); Laura Liswood (MBA 1976); Sue Schooner (MBA 1983); Barbara Franklin (MBA 1964); Ilene Lang (MBA 1973); Robin Smith (MBA 1963); Cathy Benko (MBA 1989); Mamongae Mahlare (MBA 2004); Kiyomi Saito (MBA 1981); Naina Kidwai (MBA 1982); Flavia Almeida (MBA 1994); Amrita Sen (MBA 1999); Cynthia Vance (MBA 1985); Anne Bonaparte (MBA 1988)
