Magnolia Monthly: July Newsletter

Letter from the President

Happy July! This is my absolute FAVORITE month of the year! One, summer is in full swing and two…it’s my BIRTHDAY month! July 11th!

I hope you are enjoying a fun and relaxing time with friends and loved ones. Or just spending some quality alone time! Our July newsletter is a great summer read!

I’m sharing with you some pictures from the Girl Up Summit here in Los Angeles. I was honored to receive the GIRL HERO Award for my work in gender equality. I met some amazing Girl Leaders at the event, including Kavita Rai who was also honored.

I’m really excited to announce an important event that the S.H.A.U.N. Foundation for Girls is hosting. It’s a conference called "SHE Leads: Empowering Nonprofit Leaders for Girls." This event will focus on supporting the leaders who are on the front lines of empowering underserved and underrepresented girls and young women. If you know of a woman at the helm of a girl-centered nonprofit who may like to attend, please have her email: contact@shaunfoundationforgirls.org and we will send her the information.

And, I am SUPER excited to announce some news about two of our S.H.A.U.N. Foundation for Girls Advisory Board Members!

Dr. Jayne Morgan is a cardiologist, Executive Director of Health and Community Education for Piedmont Healthcare in Atlanta and Adjunct Associate Professor at Morehouse School of Medicine. Dr. Morgan has started a monthly article in our newsletter focusing on women's health!

Also, a focus on mega Hollywood TV and film producer, Tracey Edmonds, CEO and President of Edmonds Entertainment. Tracey is giving us a sneak peek at the new season of her popular show, College Hill: Celebrity Edition on BET!

Lots of great items in our July newsletter! I hope you enjoy!

Stay cool!

“The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.” – Eleanor Roosevelt

Partner Spotlight:

LadyLike Foundation

The S.H.A.U.N. Foundation for Girls is proud to support the important work of the LadyLike Foundation, founded by Leah Pump. This inspirational nonprofit educates and empowers girls and young women to reach their fullest potential.

Through cutting-edge programs, workshops, mentorships, community service projects and visual/performing arts, young ladies are challenged to set goals and become the successful, well-rounded LADY they were created to be.

Check out a few of our favorite moments from their recent 15th Annual Women of Excellence Awards + Fashion Show!

Learn More

Leah Pump, Founder & CEO of the LadyLike Foundation

Breaking Barriers:

This Month's Must-Reads

“As underrepresented as we are in the basic sciences, we’re even more underrepresented in beauty. It’s crucial for students to see themselves in these roles and understand that these opportunities are for them.” - Dr. Leyte L. Winfield

Claudia Sheinbaum, Mexico's First Female President

The Meaning of Mexico's First Female President

Claudia Sheinbaum, an environmental scientist and former mayor of Mexico City, was overwhelmingly elected as Mexico's first female president. This is a historic milestone in a country rife with gender-based violence and negative biases against female leaders.

Participants of Spelman's Black Beauty STEMinist Lab

Spelman College Hosts Black Beauty STEMinist Lab Intensive

In partnership with the Estée Lauder Companies Charitable Foundation, Spelman College launched a pioneering program that aims to inspire and equip Black women with the skills and knowledge to pursue STEM careers in the beauty and personal care sector.

Sha'Carri Richardson Secures her Spot in Paris Olympics

Sha'Carri Richardson excelled in the U.S. Olympic trials by winning the 100-meter race. Her impressive speed and determination solidify her status as a standout athlete to watch in the upcoming games.

Health & Wellness:

The Menopause Revolution

Is mentalpause the disease that older moms get? [Teenager texts from the_leighton_show on Instagram]

This is a great illustration of how poorly understood this phase of a woman’s life really is. And while humorous, it is no laughing matter. As we have the birds and the bees talks with our kids, and first periods, do we ever even touch on menopause? Indeed, as this quote shows, teenagers have barely even heard of it, and yet it will impact more than half of the lifespans of girls. Women enter this phase of life unaware and unprepared.

Our physicians mirror this confusion and unknown territory as well. It is no wonder that prescriptions of anti-depressants for women double during this time. Because what else could all of these symptoms be? Nothing is really wrong with you. All your ‘tests’ have come back negative. Anti-depressant prescription on the way. There There. Feel better. And THAT was from your doctor the expert! We have been left in a hopeless and invisible vacuum. But not only have doctors been wrong, we (doctors) have been REALLY wrong. Menopause is a cardiac risk factor and should be viewed as such. In fact, a woman’s risk of heart disease doubles during this timeframe. This is in fact, not a THERE THERE, not even close. But how did we get here?

Featured Favorites: Our Hottest Summer TV Picks

College Hill: Celebrity Edition Season 3 Trailer

Check out the new iteration of historic Black reality TV show, College Hill: Celebrity Edition, executive produced by our amazing advisory board member, Tracey Edmonds!

The star-studded season 3 cast embarks on their educational journey at Xavier University of Louisiana, spotlighting the legacy and excellence of HBCUs like never before.

She’s Black! She’s BEAUTIFUL! She’s DYNAMITE! She’s Black Barbie! The recently released documentary, Black Barbie, is a must-see!

The film tells the story of three visionary Black women at Mattel who forever changed the Barbie brand. It also explores why representation matters and how it shapes identities and sparks imaginations.