Happy February!

Warm greetings to you - especially to those across the country facing severe winter storms and bitter cold. No matter the season or the weather outside, the work of the S.H.A.U.N. Foundation for Girls never stops.

As February begins, we are energized and gearing up for our 3rd Annual SHE Leads: Empowering Nonprofit Leaders for Girls conference. This is a first-of-its-kind conference that brings together women leaders of nonprofits from around the country.

February also marks Black History Month, a time to honor legacy while celebrating history being made right now. As the Oscar race heats up, congratulations to SINNERS, the most-nominated film in Academy Awards history. This month, we also spotlight trailblazing women like the legendary costume designer Ruth E. Carter - now the most-nominated Black woman in Oscar history!

We also reflect on a sobering report naming Harris County, Texas the deadliest place in the U.S. for Black women to give birth - an urgent reminder of ongoing inequities in health care. When you give to the S.H.A.U.N. Foundation for Girls, you help us support organizations nationwide focused on the health and healing of marginalized girls and young women—so they can grow, lead, and thrive. You can always give to our mission at: shaunfoundationforgirls.org/donate.

I hope you enjoy reading about the amazing pioneers featured in this months’ newsletter in addition to our incredible contributors.

As always, thank you for your continued support!

Shaun

Shaun Robinson

President and Founder

S.H.A.U.N. Foundation for Girls

Impact in Action: Grantee News Reel

At the heart of our mission is supporting nonprofits that create real change for girls and women every day. See what some of our incredible partners have been up to!

Saving Innocence hosted its 2nd Annual Addressing Vulnerabilities & Root Causes of Human Trafficking event, bringing together partners, advocates, and survivor leaders to share wisdom, expertise, and lived experience in one powerful space for change.

Savita Raj, CEO of Techbridge Girls, joined That Tech Pod to discuss what it truly takes to help girls from underrepresented communities see themselves in STEM. Tune in to hear her insights!

Dr. Gladys West

Mathematician, GPS Pioneer & Air Force Hall of Fame Inductee

Book of the Month

In honor of her recent passing, we're featuring the memoir of trailblazing mathematician Dr. Gladys West.

Born on a Virginia farm during the Jim Crow era, Dr. West overcame segregation and the Great Depression to build a groundbreaking career in STEM—and make modern GPS possible. It Began With a Dream (with M.H. Jackson) shares her inspiring and unforgettable life journey.

Though long unrecognized, her contributions continue to shape the world and pave the way for future generations of mathematicians. Discover her story in this must-read memoir!

Talking to Girls About Current Events: A Framework for Hard Conversations

Your girls already know. They've seen the headlines, scrolled the feeds, and overheard others talking. The question isn't whether to talk about what's happening in the world; it's how to do it in ways that inform without traumatizing, that build agency without dismissing very real fears.



Here's a framework that centers the girls you serve while honoring your role as trusted adults in their lives.

Start with what they already know.

Ivy Walker

Serial Entrepreneur, Author & Risk Management Expert

Treasurer, S.H.A.U.N. Foundation for Girls

Before you explain anything, ask what they've heard. This accomplishes two things: it prevents you from introducing concerns they haven't encountered yet, and it shows you exactly what misconceptions need addressing. Their version of events, pieced together from TikTok, playground conversations, and partial adult discussions, tells you where to begin.

Jayne Morgan, M.D.

@drjaynemorgan

Cardiologist and V.P. of Medical Affairs, Hello Heart

Creator of the Stairwell Chronicles

Advisory Board Member,

S.H.A.U.N. Foundation for Girls

Healthy Her: The Benefits of Vitamin D (continued)

Last month, I discussed the many heart health benefits of Vitamin D. These included:

1. Heart Health
2. Immune Health
3. Bone Health
4. Vascular Health
5. Cholesterol Health

But the benefits even go beyond that to include respiratory system protection from bacteria and viruses.

In fact, those with higher Vitamin D levels have a lower risk of developing and contracting respiratory viruses and a lower risk of hospitalizations.

But did you know that Black women are more likely to be Vitamin D deficient than white women? 

The Edit: Featured Fashion Brand

Ciao by CC is a Black-owned designer brand based between Miami and New York, delivering ready-to-wear that’s elegant with attitude. Known for its sharp silhouettes and inclusive approach, the brand designs for all shapes and sizes without compromising style. 

Fresh, confident, and unapologetically modern, Ciao by CC offers a compelling lens into where Black designers are pushing fashion forward. Follow @ciaobycc and keep this one on your radar. ✨

LaDonna Whittingham

Costume Designer

Local705 Film/TV Costumer and Wardrobe Stylist

Breaking Barriers:

Women Making History On—and Behind—the Big Screen

The S.H.A.U.N. Foundation for Girls is a grant-making, 501(c)(3) dedicated to improving the quality of life for underserved and underrepresented girls and young women. We support initiatives empowering girls in the key areas of our mission: (S)TEM, (H)EALTH, (A)RTS, (U)NITY and (N)EIGHBORHOODS.