Magnolia Monthly: December Newsletter

Letter from the President

December greetings!

As the year winds down, we’re wrapping it up with gratitude, growth and a sprinkle of holiday cheer - ready to reflect on the magic we created together in 2024!

This has been an incredibly successful year for the S.H.A.U.N. Foundation for Girls and, in large part, it is because of you and the unwavering support you have given us.

It would be hard to pick a favorite memory from the past year because there have been so many. But, if I had to…it would probably be meeting all the nonprofit leaders who came to our SHE Leads Conference (pictured below). It was proof that our mission is crystal clear and we are really changing lives.

Shaun with Dr. Donna Adams-Pickett, CEO of Four Girls for Girls

Speaking of the conference…it has been a minute since we last brought you a Partner Spotlight. And that is why I’m so excited that we have four new nonprofit partners to tell you about in the coming newsletters.

In this December issue, we start with the incredible Four Girls for Girls out of Augusta, Georgia and how they have a unique approach to teaching girls about their bodies and not to be ashamed of knowing how everything works. They are wonderful and I’m so proud to have them as a partner.

One of my favorite sections in our newsletter is our Breaking Barriers section. As always, we some amazing women who are carving out their own path - in literature and sports. We also say goodbye to a dancing legend.

As always, Dr. Jayne Morgan, who is a proud advisory board member of the S.H.A.U.N. Foundation for Girls is lending her expertise to our Magnolia Monthly. This month, she is giving us potentially life-saving information about high blood pressure.

And, our foundation Shopify store is growing! In addition to a new t-shirt design that focuses on “rest” we have some adorable holiday ornaments that would look great on your tree! Check them out - we have four designs that I think you will love. It will just be hard to choose!

Before we close out 2024, I want to again, give you a big “thank you” for being such an amazing part of the S.H.A.U.N. Foundation for Girls family. You have made everything we do possible.

During this season of giving, we would be truly grateful if you would consider making a year-end donation at shaunfoundationforgirls.org/donate.

So much more to come in 2025 and I can’t wait to see the journey we will go on together.

Have a wonderful holiday season, and we will see you in the new year!!

“It’s not how much we give but how much love we put into giving.” – Mother Teresa

Partner Spotlight:

Four Girls for Girls

We're excited to introduce one of our new nonprofit partners, Four Girls for Girls! Their initiatives and programs facilitate improved healthcare outcomes, enrichment and education for girls and women.

We loved having their CEO, Dr. Donna Adams-Pickett, at our inaugural SHE Leads Conference! It was inspiring to learn how Four Girls for Girls is stepping up to meet the growing need for girl-centered health resources, particularly in the area of reproductive health education.

Four Girls for Girls is one of the four recipients of our $10,000 SHE Leads Grant! This unrestricted funding offers the flexibility to strengthen their programs and/or infrastructure. Grants like these are crucial yet rare in the nonprofit sector. The S.H.A.U.N. Foundation for Girls is proud to support our partners in this way, empowering their leaders to make the decisions that will have the greatest impact on the girls and women they serve.

Learn More

Breaking Barriers:

This Month's Must-Reads

“I believe that dance can elevate our human experience beyond words. And when you’re sitting in the theater having a personal experience, you don’t feel blocked or misunderstood. You feel open, alive and, we hope, inspired.” - Judith Jamison

Judith Jamison: Remembering the Trailblazing Dance Legend

Internationally acclaimed dancer Judith Jamison passed away at 81. Renowned for her transformative leadership of the Alvin Ailey Dance Theater, her legacy lives on through iconic performances, visionary choreography, and her groundbreaking impact on the dance world, inspiring generations of Black female artists.

UAB Student's Novel Rewrites Greek Mythology with a Black Girl Hero

At just 20 years old, Micki Janae has published her first novel with her own twist on Greek mythology. She was struck with the idea for her debut novel, "Of Blood and Lightning," after she had trouble finding books in the fantasy genre featuring young Black women.

Kaleena Smith Lands Historic Adidas NIL Contract at 16 Years Old

Kaleena Smith is just 16 years old, but she is already making history. The highly regarded basketball prospect agreed to a multiyear shoe deal with Adidas, becoming the brand's first high school girls' basketball partner under a name, image, and likeness (NIL) deal.

Health & Wellness:

Should You Be Concerned about Your Mildly High Blood Pressure?

High blood pressure is known as the silent killer for a very good reason. It actually is. The very first symptom of high blood pressure, known as hypertension, can be a heart attack or a stroke. This can happen without any previous symptoms as warnings.

Did you know that the CDC (Centers for Disease Control) recently released data showing that about 75-80% of Americans are aware that they have hypertension. That is a pretty good number actually. But here is the fine print.

Featured Favorites: Holiday Gifts that Give Back

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