“Empowering Women Leaders: Girls Who Lead Initiative Launches Chapters in High Schools and Colleges”

CHICAGO (WLS) — A Chicago-based nonprofit is stepping in to shift the future of civic engagement.

Cherie Animashaun, a 20-year-old, is the driving force behind Her Rising Initiative, which is introducing Girls Who Lead chapters in high schools, colleges, and internationally. The aim is to empower young women, with a focus on Black and Latina individuals, to become influential figures in government, business, and media.

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According to Animashaun, a recipient of the Princeton Prize and a former intern at the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, this initiative goes beyond the typical extracurricular club. They are collaborating with professionals such as former White House staff, congressional leaders, activists, and CEOs to develop a curriculum that simplifies the workings of government. The program teaches girls how to mobilize around issues they are passionate about and educate their communities.

Cherie’s realization of the impact of sharing her policy studies journey at Cornell through viral videos led her to see the need for informing others about career opportunities in the policy field. Her current goal is to educate hundreds of thousands of individuals about policy and how they can effect change. This summer, Her Rising will organize virtual Gen Z town halls and provide chapter toolkits and civic engagement curricula prior to the August semester. Applications to establish chapters have already been submitted by students from more than 25 U.S. educational institutions and from countries including Nigeria, India, and Uganda.

With polarization and apathy threatening the democratic process, Her Rising Initiative sees Gen Z girls as a political force in the making. The initiative’s goal is to reach thousands of students by 2026, arming them with the knowledge, networks, and confidence to challenge misinformation, run effective campaigns, and even run for office. Cherie is currently building an even larger team of students, from Stanford grads to HBCU leaders to help Her Rising bring all of this to life.

“At a time when it feels like so much is broken,” Animashaun said. “We’re betting on girls to help rebuild it.”