I like learning about women who are making a difference – from a 20-something tech entrepreneur starting her first company to someone leading a new charter school in an underserved community. I recently discovered the Women of Worth program, sponsored by L’Oréal Paris, that recognizes and supports inspirational women. Later this month, 10 additional women will be honored in the program’s 12th anniversary celebration. While all the honorees are noteworthy, I wanted to highlight three stories from their nomination papers:
Deborah Jiang-Stein - Unprison Project
Deborah Jiang-Stein
“Born to a heroin-addicted mother in an Appalachian prison, Deborah Jiang-Stein spent the first year of her life in incarceration, then bounced between foster families until she was adopted. After overcoming the harsh realities of her past – including an addiction of her own – Deborah set out to empower and inspire incarcerated women with the hope and tools they would need to succeed in life after prison. Now clean and sober for more than 20 years, Deborah leads the unPrison Project, providing incarcerated women with education, literacy, recovery and mentoring programs to prepare for a successful life after their release.”
Charolette Tidwell - Antioch for Youth and Family
Charlotte Tidwell
“Raised by devoted parents of ten children, Charolette’s natural passion for caretaking led her to pursue a long and fulfilling career in nursing. Rather than retiring, Charolette found a new way to keep helping people, and founded a non-profit to combat her hometown’s hunger crisis. Focusing on family nutrition, mentorship for at-risk youth and elderly care, Charolette’s organization provides resources to more than 10,400 people in need, with more than 800,000 meals each year. She also spearheaded the development of a community garden to source fresh produce for her pantry, while providing more than 1,000 schoolchildren with opportunities for garden-based STEM learning.”
Lulu Cerone - Lemonaid Warriors
Lulu Cerone
“Lulu Cerone was nine years old when an earthquake devastated Haiti, and the heartbreaking images on the news inspired her to make a difference. To support disaster relief efforts, she organized a boys vs. girls lemonade fundraiser in her class, which led her to create PhilanthroParties, a program that gives children the tools they need to become effective and independent social activists. Now, at eighteen years old, Lulu is the founder of the award-winning youth activist organization, LemonAID Warriors, which mobilizes young people to host PhilanthroParties for charitable causes. Lulu believes that integrating social activism, kindness and generosity into the lives of young children will help the habits continue into adulthood. Since its inception, the organization has raised more than $120,000 to support projects benefitting vulnerable children.”
Dalya Inhaber, Ph.D., CFP ® is a financial advisor based in New York. She is the founder of Minerva Wealth Advisory, a Registered Investment Advisory firm. The mission of the company is to provide clients with tailored and unbiased financial planning and investment management. Dalya holds a Ph.D. in economics and statistics from the University of Michigan. The firm is named after Minerva - the Roman goddess of wisdom and knowledge. Minerva is often depicted with her sacred creature the owl, whose keen eyesight helps her navigate a path forward.