She’s the First (STF) was established in 2009 and is a global organization whose mission promotes the education of young girls and women as a solution for poverty. For over a decade this organization has created programs that teach girls to be their own activist, funded grants that allow organization cohorts to hold after-school programs and connected girls with mentors. Most importantly they’ve been helping provide and promote access to education all around the world, and now at Detroit Mercy.
This semester marks the first year of operation of the university’s chapter of STF. It is led by their president Eemi Toma, a sophomore majoring in political science. Toma is far from a novice when it comes to this organization as she was not only involved in her high school’s chapter, but she also served as vice president.
Her high school’s chapter had such a great impact, it was named a Campus Champion. Toma proudly remembers during her senior year her school’s chapter surpassed its fundraising goal, totaling $1,600 for the organization. However, looking back on this memory is not just an achievement, it’s an inciting incident…