My first experience with Girl Up was in 2020, when I was selected for a scholarship to attend the Girl Up Leadership Summit in Washington, D.C. What initially drew me to the movement was when I came across the summit on a youth opportunity website. Out of curiosity, I started researching it on YouTube and saw girls from all around the world coming together, sharing their voices, and leading change. I thought to myself, wow, I’d love to be part of this network. I felt that Girl Up was a space where I could be both valued and represented.
I first got involved through Girl Up Nation, directed by Sheen Tyagi, where I spent about two years learning and growing with the community. In 2023, I founded Girl Up Caribbean, which I now lead as President. One of the highlights for me was being a speaker at the 2022 Girl Up Leadership Summit, where I spoke about mental health. I’ve also joined several Girl Up bootcamps over the years, which have helped me build my leadership skills in STEM.
Leadership isn’t about being the loudest in the room, but about creating space for others to rise with you.
There are so many meaningful moments with Girl Up, but a few stand out. Being invited as a speaker at the 2022 Leadership Summit was unforgettable. I honestly couldn’t believe it. Another transformational moment was realizing I could start a Girl Up club in my own country. Through Girl Up Caribbean, I’ve connected with so many young activists across the region and built a strong network I didn’t know existed before. And when Girl Up featured our renewable energy school in Haiti on their page, it was so amazing, it made me feel seen, and it showed the world the impact we’re creating.
Girl Up has shaped me in so many ways. It gave me my first sense that young women like me, from Haiti, from the Caribbean could not only have a voice but also be listened to on a global stage. Before Girl Up, I wanted to create change but I didn’t always see the pathways. Through my journey, I’ve learned that leadership isn’t about being the loudest in the room, but about creating space for others to rise with you.
Since starting with Girl Up, I’ve pursued education and projects that align with creating real impact. I studied environmental sustainability and launched a renewable energy school in Haiti, teaching young women practical skills to become professional engineers in solar energy. Through Girl Up Nation, I also developed graphic design skills while managing designs for campaigns, which helped me join other organizations like Care About Climate. Along the way, I’ve gained experience in project management, leadership, and building community initiatives.
A specific accomplishment that reflects my passion and leadership is the way I’ve been able to create opportunities for others through Girl Up Caribbean. I built a platform where I share daily opportunities with my team, whether it’s conferences, fellowships, internships, or mentorship programs so they can strengthen their leadership and grow their projects. What makes me most proud is not just sharing these resources, but seeing my team take the chance, apply, and get selected. For me, leadership is about motivating others to believe in themselves and step into spaces where their voices matter. Watching them succeed and create change reminds me why I do this work.
Girl Up has also transformed the way I see justice and equity. To me, feminist values mean fairness, inclusion, and care. It’s about making sure that girls like me, who face barriers every single day, are not left behind in conversations about the future. My leadership is driven by that vision, knowing what it feels like to not be seen, and wanting to make sure others feel recognized, heard, and empowered.
What drives me to lead and create space for others, especially girls and women, comes from both my personal experiences and my roots. In Haiti, feminism is often dismissed, and young women’s voices are rarely heard or supported. We face daily struggles just to access clean water, food, or healthcare services. But I grew up seeing examples of care and leadership in my own family. My grandmother opened her home to young pregnant women, giving them shelter and caring for their babies so they could continue their education. My mother, who was a teacher, inspired me with her dedication to educating children.
Girl Up has taught me that inclusion is at the heart of true leadership.
Those examples taught me that education and support can transform lives. That’s why I believe so deeply in creating opportunities for young women, to make sure they are seen, heard, and equipped to keep moving forward. My drive comes from wanting to carry on that legacy of care and education, while also challenging the barriers that keep girls and women from reaching their full potential.
Girl Up has taught me that inclusion is at the heart of true leadership. Feminist values, for me, mean making sure every girl has a seat at the table and a voice that is heard.
Being a leader, to me, means creating a safe space where others can grow alongside me. It’s about fostering enough comfort for anyone to share their struggles, offering hope, and connecting them to opportunities and resources that can transform their lives. To me a leader is someone who speaks firmly and fearlessly for what they represent. They bring confidence, hope, and resources not only to themselves but also to their community.
My hope for the next 15 years of Girl Up is to see it expand across all countries, with a special focus on the Caribbean, empowering more girls and helping them reclaim their voices that have too often been silenced. I would love to see regional or international summits, as well as a youth office in the Caribbean to promote sustainability and equity. I also hope Girl Up can still support more grassroots initiatives through their awards, because communities like ours truly need that support to thrive.
An advice I would give my younger self is to practice discipline, even in the little things, because they shape who you become in the bigger moments of life.
