Living Philanthropic • Guest Blogger: Shelley Tibbetts

Guest Blogger: Shelley Tibbetts

One tweet can make a difference. That’s right, 140 characters (or less) is all it takes to change the world. That’s is what my experience of jumping on board the GIRLS WHO ROCK team as the Online Community Officer has taught me. It’s mind boggling how much social media impacts our lives, especially among millenials. The generation before us didn’t connect with peers they met in college via a social networking site like Facebook, they didn’t have Twitter streams to update the world about what they were doing, nor were they recording vlogs in their bedrooms to upload onto YouTube.

When the founders launched each of these social media platforms they probably didn’t have an idea of just how much they could (and would) change the world. Today, the team members and supporters of She’s the First and GIRLS WHO ROCK are using social media for exactly that reason and are making a positive impact on the world. STF is all about the power of social media. The non-profit was launched almost two years ago with a PSA that was uploaded onto YouTube.

The organization has come a long way since then, branching out by creating the annual GWR benefit concert to raise awareness and proceeds for the cause during Internet Week New York. Social media continues to play a vital part in the success of both organizations. In January, She’s the First*{Syracuse}, a college branch of the non-profit, entered a video in Vivanista’s “Party for a Purpose” contest and won first place. STF received a $1,000 grant, and as a result, $800 went towards sponsoring a girl in Kenya. The remaining $200 was invested in a fundraising event to sponsor another year of her education. Social media was a invaluable tool when organizing this year’s GWR concert. All of the performers (with the exception of JoJo and Nikki Jean) were booked via tweets! Twitter is also the reason we have been fortunate enough to connect with Carlo and receive his support for our cause by being his featured charity for the month of June.

Are you still doubtful that a tweet can change the world? If so, a month ago I was you, but have since learned to never underestimate the power of a tweet. Look where it got us so far! STF and GWR both have a supportive following, and we are very close to reaching our ambitious goal of sponsoring 42 girls at the Arlington Academy of Hope. Help us start a Twitter revolution for girl’s education and change the world one tweet at a time. Who knows, maybe we can even become a trending twitter topic, but not without your help! Yes, even those Twitter neglectors who have forgotten your log-ins (I know you’re out there). Have Twitter send your password to your inbox so you can join us in making a difference.

In these last few days of our Causevox campaign, please show your support by tweeting:

1 tweet makes a difference. I’m donating my Twitter status to @GirlsWhoRockNY. Support w/ me: girlswhorock.causevox.com #giveeveryday

Shelley is a 2009 graduate of Rider University, where she majored in Public Relations. As recent addition to the GWR team she promotes the cause on social media, using her own education so that girls in developing countries can receive their own.

Want to be a guest blogger on Living Philanthropic?

Join the team and donate to She’s The First at http://girlswhorock.causevox.com/living & submit your blog post about why you made a contribution here: http://bit.ly/lp-blogger