Our Founder
I am Renee, the Founder & Executive Director of Girls of Impact Trinidad and Tobago. I am an Attorney-at-Law by profession and previously served as Trinidad and Tobago’s CARICOM Youth Ambassador and Dean of the CARICOM Youth Ambassador Corps. I am an advocate for the empowerment of young women and girls and I am quite passionate about creating community and mentorship for young women like myself.
My Youth Work Experience
Why Did I Start Girls of Impact?
Growing up in a marginalized community, envisioning any form of success felt nearly impossible. Navigating the education system was particularly challenging; when applying for university, I had no clear direction or understanding of what I wanted to study. With no one in my family having pursued law or any formal career, I lacked guidance and mentorship.
However, I understood that education was my golden ticket to achieving success in life.
When I began my studies at UWI, I was unfamiliar with even basic concepts like GPA. Additionally, despite being on a student loan, I faced significant financial struggles because I had never been taught about money management or financial literacy.
That’s when reality hit me – I needed a mentor.
I needed someone to guide me along my path and provide tips for personal and professional development. Unfortunately, I never had that support. No one taught me the importance of networking or building relationships with professionals in my field.
My struggle persisted through Law School and even after graduation. I was unemployed for six months because I didn’t know how to prepare a professional CV, and my job interviews were unsuccessful.
My story is not unique.
Many young women in Trinidad and Tobago face similar challenges. Throughout my journey, I realized that there are limited resources available to help us succeed in education, careers, and entrepreneurship.
Young women like me are vulnerable to teenage pregnancy, employment discrimination, and gender-based violence.
According to the Joint Select Committee (JSC) on Social Services and Public Administration, there were 3,777 reported cases of teenage pregnancy between 2014 and 2018. Additionally from 2011 to 2016, the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service received 4,956 reports of domestic violence.
Create Impact & Make a Difference
Girls of Impact aims to transform this narrative by empowering young women and girls to achieve economic independence, assume leadership roles, and create positive impacts in their communities. Central to our mission is mentorship, through which young women receive guidance in pursuing educational, professional, and entrepreneurial endeavors.
Girls of Impact aspires to be a bridge for young women in Trinidad and Tobago, providing them with the tools, training, and resources necessary for personal and professional development, enabling them to become leaders of integrity in society.
Inspiring Words
Your story is what you have, what you will always have. It is something to own.
-Michelle Obama
Join the Community
Developing yourself personally and professionally is easier when you have community and mentorship
We provide a supportive community for young women who desire to succeed in education, career and entrepreneurship to connect, network, and benefit from encouragement and advice.
