Over 7,000 people were in attendance at the Massachusetts Conference for Women on Thursday, December 8 as Big Sister Association of Greater Boston CEO Deborah Re accepted the “Be the Change” award.
The Massachusetts Conference for Women provides connection, motivation, inspiration, and skill building for thousands of women. This year, they expanded their annual “Be the Change” Award (sponsored by Canyon Ranch) to honor three Massachusetts non-profit organizations whose missions align with the conference — helping women and girls achieve their full potential, and exemplifying compassion and commitment to improving the lives of the people in their communities.
“We are honored that the Massachusetts Conference for Women has selected us to receive this award,” said Deborah Re. “It is a special recognition as we end our 60th year of mentoring girls in Greater Boston. We look forward to a bright future of continuing to embody everything that the ‘Be the Change’ award represents.”
Big Sister Association was nominated by board member Sharon McNally and supported by recommendation letters from board member Essence McGill Arzu, Big Sisters Valerie Wencis and Jessica Reardon, and Little Sister Jessica’s mother Sharon Kittrell. “Having that person in your life who lifts you up and shows you that there are different paths, that you are strong, that you are worthy, is critical to the development of girls today,” explained McGill Arzu in her recommendation letter. “Mentoring in the ‘Big Sister way’ has a transformative power – it expands the horizons and visions of what’s possible.”
One criterion of the “Be the Change” award that Big Sister Association does particularly well is the idea of giving back. Quite often, girls who first experience the program as Little Sisters grow up to become mentors themselves. When Little Sister Cassandra was notified that she would be graduating from the program, her immediate response was, “How do I become a Big Sister?” Cassandra’s Big Sister Sarah had been an important and consistent part of her life for twelve years, and she wanted to do the same for another girl. Through Big Sister, Cassandra was motivated to give back to her community and make a difference in another young girl’s life.
You can give a $5 gift in honor of Big Sister’s “Be the Change” award now by texting 27722 with keyword: MAWOMEN Sisters
Big Sister is a proud partner of the Massachusetts Conference for Women.
