Lawton Chiles High School senior awarded grant by ANN INC. and Vital Voices
Every day there are people in our community who are determined to make a difference in the world. The ANNpower Vital Voices Initiative is an innovative partnership between ANN INC., the parent Company of Ann Taylor and LOFT, and organization Vital Voices, that offers leadership skills and mentorship for young women. The two efforts have joined forces to identify the next generation of female leaders who are dedicated to giving back to their communities.Tallahassee’s 17-year-old Hanna Karimipour, a Lawton Chiles High School senior, is one of only 14 young women from across the country to be awarded an ANNpower grant after completing the ANNpower Vital Voices Leadership Forum, due to her continued interest in making an impact her in community.
Numerous young women from across the country engaged in a competitive national application process last March. A press release from ANN INC. stated that 50 rising high school seniors and juniors were selected as ANNpower Fellows and as participants in the first annual ANNpower Vital Voices Leadership Forum. The forum, which took place this past June, entailed a three-day leadership training program in Washington, D.C., with the curriculum based on the Vital Voices Leadership Model.
The girls were mentored by 12 global women leaders who are part of the Vital Voices Network.
Lawton Chiles High School senior Hanna Karimipour was awarded a national grant by the ANNpower Vital Voices Initiative, an effort that offers leadership skills and mentoring to young women. The award will aid Karimipour in initiating her social change project in the Tallahahassee community, which is focused on empowering women. / Photo courtesy of Elise Donini |
“Four months ago, we challenged these young women to take the lead in developing plans that will have an impact in their communities,” President and CEO of Vital Voices Alyse Nelson said in a press release. “From teaching underprivileged families healthy eating habits to launching a girls leadership summit, these ANNpower Project Grants will support the realization of the visionary plans of these dedicated young leaders.”The award will aid Karimipour in initiating her social change project within the Tallahassee community, which is focused on addressing the disparities in female leadership within the state of Florida.
