“In my community, women don’t go to school nor own land. People don’t believe we should speak for ourselves or make our own decisions, and they don’t believe women should be leaders. I decided to prove them wrong. Today, I am a mentor and the founder of Her Journey to School. We work with communities to help girls stay in school, understand their rights, and change the status quo.”

“From the time I was little, I learned how to take care of a home. My brothers? They played and went to school. But I wanted more. Now I study at the best private university in Central America, and my goal is to improve the quality of health in my country and give my fellow Guatemalan girls a second chance to make their own decisions.”

“When I was 11, my cousin attempted to rape me. And yet, my guardians refused to do something. At age 12, in the middle of the night, I grabbed my little brother’s hand, and we ran away to safety. Today, I am the founder of Life Lifters, the first program for girls in my community. My community sees a leader in me, and they now see the potential in each of the girls living among them.”

“When I was 4, I went away to boarding school. Shortly after, I began to speak and write English and became more outspoken. I was always questioning things and challenging tradition. Today, after earning my bachelor’s and master’s degrees, I stand here as a neuro-technician. I’m proud that elders ask me what their daughters can study so they can get a job. But what I’m most proud of is that my voice and opinions matter.”