Magnolia Monthly: August Newsletter

Shaun celebrating her birthday with family & friends in the Dominican Republic

Letter from the President

Happy August! I hope you have been enjoying a wonderful summer and have been staying cool!

Mom and I had a fun vacation celebrating my birthday in the Dominican Republic with 15 of our family and friends! It was a blessing to be able to share the time with her and my loved ones. After five days, it was back to work! We’ve worked really hard on this month’s MAGNOLIA newsletter and I hope you enjoy reading it.

First, let me say, “CONGRATULATIONS!” to all the athletes of the Paris 2024 Olympics! Team USA is continuing to make us all so incredibly proud! Whether they are bringing home the GOLD or just being an example of grit, determination and hard work, all of the athletes deserve our admiration and applause. In this month’s newsletter, we are showing you some of the women and girls breaking records and showing #GIRLPOWER to the max! They are truly some remarkable athletes!

And, I’m also sharing with you one of my favorite pictures of when I covered the 2008 Olympics in Beijing and interviewed Kobe Bryant who won his first Gold medal playing for Team USA. You can see from this picture, the pride Black Mamba had representing his country was shining brightly.

The athletes aren’t the only ones breaking barriers. This month, we highlight some women in entertainment who are making history including a beloved actress who has made us laugh for decades.

In Health news, our Advisory Board member, Dr. Jayne Morgan is sharing her expertise on how to prevent cervical cancer - a silent killer. It’s something we should all be aware of. And, this month, we pay tribute to a true civil rights icon who used her platform to advocate for the underserved - U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee.

Now, on to this historic election year. As a leader of a girl-centered nonprofit, I am most concerned about the rights of women and girls. Whoever runs our country must address pay equity, reproductive rights and protection against gender-based violence. I have known Vice President Kamala Harris since she was District Attorney of San Francisco, and I believe that she has set the tone for how critical these issues are and will shape the path toward greater equality for women and girls.

And, a reminder, if you know of a woman who leads a nonprofit that empowers girls and young women, I would like to invite her to our SHE Leads: Empowering Nonprofit Leaders for Girls conference in Los Angeles, this fall. For more information, email: contact@shaunfoundationforgirls.org

Also, check out our Shopify store and our new “FAITH IT ’til you make it" t-shirt!

Happy reading!

“I really think a champion is defined not by their wins but by how they can recover when they fall.” - Serena Williams

In Memoriam:

Honoring the Legacy of Civil Rights Icon, Sheila Jackson Lee

U.S. Representative Sheila Jackson Lee was a true trailblazer and advocate for the underserved, championing racial justice, criminal justice reform, and rights for women and children.

Serving in Congress since 1995, she cared deeply for her constituents and achieved landmark legislative wins like reauthorizing the Violence Against Women Act and establishing the Juneteenth Federal Holiday.

While we deeply mourn her loss, Sheila Jackson Lee's legacy of compassion and commitment to freedom and justice will forever inspire us.

'A true friend and ally': Rev. Al remembers Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee

Breaking Barriers:

This Month's Must-Reads

"I believe I'm the first Black costume designer to win this award. That, I'm hoping, inspires other younger designers to know when it feels impossible, even when they're unsure, to just keep moving forward." - Dede Ayite

Claudia Sheinbaum, Mexico's First Female President

Dede Ayite Becomes First Black Woman to Win Tony Award for Best Costume Design of a Play

Nominated for her work on several shows, Dede Ayite won a Tony Award for her costume designs in Jaja's African Hair Braiding. Her achievement marks a significant milestone in Broadway's recognition of diverse talent in the arts.

'Palm Royale's Carol Burnett Makes History as Oldest Female Comedy Acting Nominee

Carol Burnett has become the oldest female nominated for an acting Emmy Award at the age of 91. For her portrayal of Norma Dellacorte in the Apple TV+ period dramedy Palm Royale, Burnett competes in the category of “Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series.”

Female Athletes Making History at the 2024 Paris Olympics

The 2024 Olympics are already one for the books. Discover the athletes who have set new records and made history in women's sports so far this summer.

Health & Wellness:

Preventing Cervical Cancer

Wouldn’t it be great if we invented a vaccine that prevented cancer? One that was more than 98% effective? It would be and guess what? It already exists! It is the Gardasil 9 vaccine, and it prevents cervical cancer in women.

“How does a vaccine prevent cancer?”, you might be asking yourself. That is because cervical cancer is actually caused by a virus called HPV, or human papilloma virus. HPV is spread via sexual contact and is usually asymptomatic. It also affects nearly 80 million people in the United States, and although HPV can resolve over time, it can also go on to cause both genital warts and cervical cancer.