This episode spotlights Ilana Nguyen, a founding member and the Executive Director at Innoverge. Ever since she was little, Ilana has been upset by the inequities she saw in STEMx education and the disparities in representation within the STEM fields. Now as a senior at Stanford Online High School, Ilana has been able to directly impact the STEMx sphere through her work at Innoverge. Innoverge is a 501(c)3 nonprofit with the mission to advance STEMx education in underserved communities in order to diversify the next generation of change makers. Innoverge accomplishes this goal by expanding accessibility of STEMx curriculums, diversifying representation, training youth in STEM x Humanities skills, and empowering youth leaders to initiate change with their own communities. Listen in on this episode to hear more from Ilana and her impressive work at Innoverge. To support Innoverge, make sure to check out their Instagram and website: @innovergeintl https://innoverge.org/

This episode spotlights Maddy Manning-Bi, a rising senior at Stanford Online High School and the Deputy Editor in Chief for the Communications Team at the global, non profit organization Dear Asian Youth. Dear Asian Youth is an organization that promotes intersectional activism, solidarity with marginalized groups, and equality. With more than 111+ thousand instagram followers, 156+ international chapters, and 234+ global team members, Dear Asian Youth has flourished into a worldwide community for asian youth to empower and support one another. An enthusiastic and talented writer, Maddy has been published by Pixel Journal, “The Chrysalis”, Pixelate, De Novo, as well as Dear Asian Youth. Dedicated to making a difference and promoting equality, Maddy's leadership position at Dear Asian Youth allows her to combine both her love of writing with her passion for advocacy. Tune in to this episode to hear more about Maddy and the impactful organization Dear Asian Youth. To support Dear Asian Youth, make sure to check out their Instagram page and their website:  @dearasianyouth https://dearasianyouth.org/

This episode spotlights Pooja Kalyan, an accomplished athlete who has dedicated her life to figure skating. Now a competitive figure skater for the U.S. national team, Pooja shares her journey as both a determined athlete and student. From her memorable introduction to figure skating, to her efforts to give back to her athletic community, Pooja's story is one of dedication, effort, and passion! Listen in on this episode to hear from Pooja about her journey with figure skating as an internationally competitive athlete!

This episode spotlights Isabelle Wolpert, a dedicated pianist and passionate advocate for equality and inclusivity in the classical music industry. As a pianist herself from a young age, Isabelle recognized that well-known classical musicians are generally homogeneous, and thus set out to uplift a broader and more diverse range of classical musicians. In the spring of 2020, Isabelle co-founded Musicians for Equality, a non-profit organization with the mission of "bring[ing] justice to unheard voices, educat[ing] ourselves and each other, and spread[ing] awareness through music." Musicians for Equality raises money by hosting live stream concerts, in which musicians perform live from all over the globe; these concerts allow Musicians for Equality to donate money to various institutions that diversify and support music education, while the concerts also create a supportive community for musicians across the world to perform and learn from one another. Listen in to this episode to hear how Isabelle combined both her love of music and her passion for equality in her impactful organization.  To support Musicians For Equality, make sure to check out their Instagram and website: @musiciansforequality https://musiciansforequality.org/

This episode spotlights Meta Hrovat, a highly accomplished Slovenian alpine ski racer. Meta debuted in her first World Cup at only 17 years old, and now at 23 she has achieved four World Cup podiums, two of which were this past season. In this episode, Meta illustrates how her initial passion for skiing has only grown from the time she first stepped on skis at two years old to now, where she is one of the top female alpine ski racers in the world. Meta shares the ups and downs of her career so far, from the struggle of suffering from a severe injury to her elation when she achieved her first World Cup podium. Ultimately, Meta emphasizes the importance of enjoying the process and finding the joy in every day, which is an important message for athletes and non-athletes alike. Meta is a true example of grit and determination, and an inspiration for so many people around the world. Tune in to this episode to hear Meta share her athletic journey, a day in the life of a professional ski racer, her biggest takeaways, and more.  Check out Meta's Instagram to follow her future adventures: @metaahrovat

This episode spotlights Esther Mafouta, a passionate activist from Southern California and current freshman at Columbia University. Ever since speaking to 2,000+ people at a March for Our Lives walk-out in 2018, Esther has “realized the immense power that the youth have to create change” and has spoken up whenever and wherever she has seen injustices. In the wake of the Black Lives Matter movement, Esther co-founded CUSD Against Racism. This organization aims to create an anti-racist community by addressing four main areas within the Capistrano Unified School District: educational equity, student voices and wellbeing, curriculum, and restorative justice. In this episode, Esther also shares her other activism endeavors as the global coordinator for the anti-bullying organization Cool 2 Be Kind and within Columbia University. By sharing her experiences in activism, Esther Mafouta ultimately urges listeners to become active within their own communities and to take a stand for any inequities that they feel strongly about. Listen in on this episode to hear more from the inspirational Esther Mafouta and to see how you can make a change. To support CUSD Against Racism and Cool 2 Be Kind, make sure to check out their Instagram and website: @cusdagainstracism https://www.cusdagainstracism.org/ @cool2bekind http://www.cool2bekind.org/

This episode spotlights Olivia Rando, an inspiring martial artist and tricking athlete who founded the female empowerment organization Trick Like A Girl. Once becoming involved in tricking, Olivia recognized the lack of representation and stigmas that women face in the primarily male dominated sport, and wanted to create a community for female tricking athletes to uplift and support one another. Listen in on this episode to hear from Olivia about her journey with tricking and Trick Like A Girl. To support Trick Like A Girl, make sure to check out Olivia and Trick Like A Girl’s Instagram pages and Trick Like A Girl's Website: @olivia.rando @tricklikeagirl https://www.tricklikeagirl.com/

Welcome to our first interview! In this episode, Sophie and Zoë speak with Janie Sasha Surkin, the founder of ClearCare. By creating the first self-prescribing lens kit, ClearCare aims to provide accessible eye care to those who otherwise would not have access due geographical or financial barriers. In this interview, Sasha shares her journey with ClearCare, describes challenges she has overcome, provides advice to fellow young women on how to pursue their passions, and more. Tune in to hear from the inspirational young woman behind this incredible start-up. Check out the video Sasha created for the Archangel Dreamer Competition, in which she won a $50,000 grant for ClearCare: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wFNAp_xcMBY If you are interested in contacting Sasha, email: [email protected]

Hello, and welcome to And She Did! In this episode, we will introduce And She Did, our mission, and our hosts.