Meet the SHE Interns!

Meet our intern, Ariana Agyemang.

I am currently pursuing a Bachelor of Science Degree in Biological Anthropology at Binghamton University. My parents are Ghanaian immigrants who came to the United States seeking a better future for their children. As a child, my mother told her stories about the sick and poor who do not receive adequate care. As a result, this sparked an interest in global affairs and international health. I am interested in public health, environmental effects, and the social gradient of health. I want to be able to explain why preventable diseases have the opportunity to affect socially disadvantaged communities and populations. Oftentimes, people overlook the socially disadvantaged.

SHE’s mission of investing in self-sustainable methods that not only build communities but also create entrepreneurs is what drew me into the organization. Menstrual health should be very important to everyone especially in countries where taboo and stigma plague women. I personally believe that although we are individuals we are all interconnected. The welfare of our family, community, nation, and world is our welfare. A crucial part of stabilizing International Health comes from every individual realizing that we all play a role in bettering the world. I have always had a strong commitment to international health and improving the health of those whose basic rights have been overlooked.





Meet our intern, Sophia Lothrop.

As a soon to be graduate of St. Lawrence University with a degree in political science, I can confidently say that my education has broadened my understanding of the world. From studying in Ghana, Israel/West Bank and Jordan to working in the non-profit sector for multiple years, my college career has provided me with a  perspective the classroom cannot. Over my four month stay in Amman, Jordan, I knew that I wanted to focus my research on the current refugee crisis. Though there is so much need among refugees in Jordan, namely Syrian, Somali and Sudanese, there is an especially large and growing need for women’s sexual and reproductive health. With this topic at the forefront of my research, I knew that I wanted to continue working in this field upon my return to the United States.

SHE caught my attention after looking into international women’s health NGOs. Immediately after reading their mission statement I knew this organization aligned with my ethos.  As someone who passionately believes women’s sexual and reproductive health rights are human rights, I knew that while working with SHE I would be working towards the greater goal of increasing women’s access to necessary menstrual products and education while also spreading awareness of this global issue. It can feel overwhelming trying to tackle such a big problem, but I work for SHE because I know that it is a step in the right direction of women’s equality on a global scale.

Being a Part of a Global Community

Post by Sylvere Mwizerwa, Business Development Officer, SHE Rwanda

I would like to first express my words of thanks to Barry and Dolly Segal and their family for their support of SHE and sub-Saharan Africa initiatives.

The Segal Family Foundation’s annual conference was wonderful and unique. I learned the best and polite ways to ask professional questions in front of a crowd of people with different backgrounds.  The conference helped me to grow as a person!

I met many like-minded people that do similar work that we do.  Michael Wilkerson, the CEO of Tugende, a moto transportation company in Uganda, shared helpful advice on how to approach governments when it comes to reducing taxes and forming public-private partnerships.

For example, Dr. Laura Stachel from We Care Solar, a social enterprise that distribute solar boxes to countries in Africa and Asia, personally taught me how she was able to form successful partnerships with government institutions. We Care Solar has partnerships with Ministries of Health and Ministries of Education which has helped them to distribute their products to hospitals and clinics at a lower price. Her model is amazing and is very similar to ours.

As the Business Development Officer, I am focused on reducing our supply chain and production costs. It was great to therefore meet Robina Sarah Naluwooza from Set Her Free from Uganda who recommended to potential new suppliers. This will help SHE Rwanda to drive down our costs during our operations.

The speeches, plenary sessions and lunch table discussions were really good opportunities to share our thoughts and discuss in large the challenges that we are facing and the way to solve these. I have formed a strong network among all types of social entrepreneurs.

Itoro, a SUNY Binghamton rising senior, worked at SHE Global this summer.

Meet SHE Intern: Itoro Chloe-Udo

Hometown: I was born in Vancouver, Canada but moved to New York City at a young age.  I am now currently living in Yonkers.

What are you working on? For SHE, I am currently working on a SHE Goes to School project in which our current #smallthings and SHE 28 campaigns would be more involved on colleges campuses. Through this project, SHE would like to go to school and get help from girls like myself who share these same ideals that highlight the importance of dignity and accessible hygiene for all.  I am also making the most of my summer and enjoying spending time with my friends and family and preparing for my senior year of college.

What superpower would you have? I would be able to fly. I can imagine that there must be no greater feeling of absolute freedom.

Who is your favorite volleyball player? Megan Hodge. She’s an all-American player with exceptional skills both on and off the court.

What was the last song that played on your iPod/iPhone/iPad? I’m Not the Only One by Sam Smith. I absolutely love him!

Why did you join SHE? I have always had an affinity for helping others, especially those whose potential is usually overlooked. Everyone that knows me can tell you that I ALWAYS root for the underdog. So when I first found out about SHE, I was instantly locked in and engaged because of what SHE represents.  SHE can be me – spicy and provocative, yet educational and motivational. As a young woman of Nigerian descent, I especially feel a close tie to the work SHE is doing with young girls and women in Rwanda.  SHE is sending the message that not only do small things make a difference but that education IS power. It’s rewarding for me to be part of a team who believes that it is not solely about charity; we have to get out there and do something!

Meet SHE Intern: Harriet Fisher

Hometown: I was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York, but I spend most of the year at school in beautiful Brunswick, Maine.

What are you working on? I am working to organize and catalog the many, many articles and resources SHE team members access. The project has allowed me to read about the incredible work professors, NGOs, governments, and everyone in between are doing to improve menstrual hygiene management.

I am also scooping ice cream at a local Brooklyn shop, working on my parallel parking, and hiking in the White Mountains.

What’s your favorite flavor of ice cream?

Chocolate Chocolate Chunk with hot fudge. Bring on the chocolate.

What superpower would you have?

Perhaps it’s trite, but I would love to fly. To be able to soar over the Grand Canyon, Angkor Wat, Shanghai? Yes, please!

What was the last song you played on your iPhone?

All About that Bass by Meghan Trainor

Why did you join SHE?

I recently took in a course on NGOs in politics in which we discussed the problematic ways in which non governmental organizations provide deeply patronizing aid. I joined SHE and admire SHE’s work because of its commitment to a product that enables women to support themselves. SHE’s goal is not to create dependence on foreigners, but rather to great independence for the many women in Rwanda who lack access to something so basic: a pad.