She Shines!
Celebrating Women & Girls
MIRACLE MOMENT®
“There is no limit to what we, as women, can accomplish.” Michelle Obama
A MESSAGE from Founder/Director, CYNTHIA BRIAN
Women are leading the change and shaping the future. The month of March is dedicated to honoring women’s contributions to history, society, and gender equality. Our country will be celebrating its 250th birthday in 2026, yet women have had the privilege of voting for only 106 years, thanks to the 19th Amendment. In 1920, according to Britannica.com, about 7% of women earned bachelor’s degrees. In 2025, 61.8 % of all new college graduates were women, with 64.6% receiving associate degrees and 63.6% master’s degrees, according to the Pew Research Center. For women ages 25 to 34, 47% of women have a bachelor’s degree compared to 37% of men in the same group. The demographics across racial and ethnic groups in 2022 for women earning bachelor’s degrees were uplifting:
Black women: 65.2%
Hispanic women: 62.3%
White women: 57.6%
Asian/Pacific Islanders: 56.3%
Be the Star You Are!® has been dedicated to elevating women, families, and youth since our founding in 1999. We know that education equals success. Through the outreach programs of BTSYA, the values of personal growth, self-confidence, increased literacy, and self-empowerment are fostered. Engaging critical thinking skills and honoring personal expertise are valued as essential. Everyone from anywhere is welcome under the auspices of Be the Star You Are!® projects, and this month, we celebrate the fearless females who are making a difference and transforming lives in communities and countries.
Ruth Bader Ginsburg, who served as a Supreme Court Justice for 27 years, said it best: “Women belong in all places where decisions are made.”
Go girls! Dream big! Be unstoppable!
Founder/Executive Director
Be the Star You Are!®
PO Box 376
Moraga, California 94556
https://www.BetheStarYouAre.org
https://www.bethestaryouare.org/blog-1
https://greatnonprofits.org/org/be-the-star-you-are-inc
DONATE: https://www.paypal.com/fundraiser/charity/1504
DONATE: https://givebutter.com/BTSYA
“I raise up my voice, not so that I can shout, but so that those without a voice can be heard.” Malala Yousafazi
BE THE STAR YOU ARE! HONORED AS A 2026 TOP NONPROFIT
Congratulations to everyone at Be the Star You Are!® for being once again named a TOP NONPROFIT by Great Nonprofits and Candid (Formerly Guidestar). Kudos to the radio reporters, content creators, book reviewers, researchers, newsletter contributors, and other volunteers of all ages who have made BTSYA a top nonprofit throughout the years. Be the Star You Are!® has been instrumental in improving the lives of so many young people since 1999 without any paid staff or employees. Be the Star You Are!® is 100% volunteer operated. I am proud to help this nonprofit continue to inspire, motivate, and encourage everyone to be their unapologetically authentic selves and shine. And thank you to our generous donors. BTSYA couldn’t do all the work without support.
Read what two volunteers say about their involvement with BTSYA:
“I joined BTSYA about six months ago as a researcher and content creator for the monthly newsletter. I was drawn to the organization because of their commitment to literacy for all children, teens, and young mothers. Cynthia and her team work tirelessly and with such joy and compassion for all to ensure that youth and young mothers understand the power they have to change their own lives! I can think of few pursuits more worthy! I’m proud to represent BTSYA and cannot recommend them highly enough!” Shanin, BTSYA Researcher & Content Creator
“During my time on BTYSA, I have truly enjoyed every single moment! Cynthia Brian is such a welcoming individual who allows teens to use their voices for topics they are deeply passionate about. I started working as a reporter on teen radio in 6th grade, and now I am in 10th grade. I have grown so much with my speaking and writing skills through the reporting I have done on BTSYA. This is truly a great non-profit!!” Kirpa, Radio Host and Reporter
“Each time a woman stands up for herself, she stands up for all women.” Maya Angelou
CONGRATULATIONS TO PRINCETON PRIZE WINNER, JULIA HOWE
Be the Star You Are!® is thrilled that our teen volunteer and Express Yourself™ radio host, Julia Howe, was notified that she won the Princeton Prize in Race Relations Certificate of Accomplishment! Julia has been an integral part of BTSYA since 2022. She is a youth entrepreneur, TEDx speaker, and is committed to introducing Chinese Opera to younger audiences, empowering teen girls in sports, and advocating for innovative education. Julia is indeed leading the charge to elevate women. Congratulations, Julia, on shaping the future of women.
Here’s what Julia wrote about winning this award.
“I was recently honored to receive a Certificate of Accomplishment from the Princeton Prize in Race Relations (1 of 2 from the Bay Area), which recognizes high school students who work to advance racial equity and foster understanding in their communities. One of the projects highlighted in the award is Jing Shao Nian, a youth Chinese opera program I founded in San Francisco. Through performances and intergenerational events, we introduce young students to Chinese opera while also discussing the history of anti-Asian racism and the resilience of cultural traditions. The goal is to make culture feel alive and accessible for the next generation, while creating opportunities for community members of all backgrounds to engage with it.”
“Women are the largest untapped reservoir of talent in the world.” Hillary Clinton
LEADING THE CHANGE
by Gowri Kamatchi
Women around the world are playing an important role in creating a more sustainable future. Through activism, science, and community leadership, they are helping protect the environment and promote long-term solutions to global challenges.
Many women have become powerful voices for climate action. For example, Greta Thunberg has inspired millions to speak out about climate change. Environmental leader Wangari Maathai also showed how sustainability can empower communities by leading tree-planting efforts that supported both nature and local women.
Women contribute valuable perspectives because they are often closely connected to natural resources through agriculture, water management, and family care. Their leadership helps create practical and community-focused solutions.
By supporting women’s education, innovation, and leadership, societies can strengthen environmental protection and sustainable development. Women’s ideas, determination, and leadership will continue to shape a healthier and more sustainable future for everyone.
Gowri Kamatchi is a 16-year-old high school junior who is a content creator volunteer with Be the Star You Are!® She has a deep interest in global issues, journalism, climate policies, and paleontology. Her hobbies are reading, listening to music, and rollerblading!
“I wanted to be a certain kind of woman. I became that kind of woman.” Diane Von Furstenberg
KIND WOMAN QUIZ
by Karen Kitchel
There is much written about the traits of a truly kind woman. Take a moment to reflect on which of these attributes apply to you.
A kind woman…
· Notices what others need without being told
· Is often described as empathetic and compassionate
· Lifts others up
· Respects personal boundaries
· Speaks up for people who need support
· Remembers small details that matter
· Quietly puts herself in others’ shoes
· Keeps showing up when kindness is not easy
Karen Kitchel is the Kindness Coordinator volunteer with BTSYA. She purchased the book No Barnyard Bullies as a gift for every kindergarten student at the school where she volunteers as a teacher. www.scatteringkindness.com You can read more about Karen’s adoption story in the book Be the Star You Are! Millennials To Boomers. https://www.bethestaryouare.org/book-gift
“A woman with a voice is, by definition, a strong woman.” Melinda French Gates
OUR RADIO BROADCASTS INSPIRE AND COMMUNICATE
Every week, under the auspices of Be the Star You Are!® charity and produced by StarStyle® Productions, LLC, listeners are encouraged and inspired on our two international radio broadcasts, StarStyle®-Be the Star You Are!® and Express Yourself!™ Teen Radio. StarStyle® is a lifestyle program bringing information and innovative ideas that will help with daily living, while Express Yourself!™ is hosted by teens, for teens, with discussions about everything and anything that interests youth today. Both programs are unedited, uncensored, and unapologetically authentic.
Listen to all Express Yourself!™ Teen shows at https://sites.libsyn.com/560220
Listen to StarStyle®-Be the STAR You Are!® shows: https://sites.libsyn.com/556617
“The best protection any woman can have is courage.” Elizabeth Cady Stanton
BOOKS AND MERCH
Books: A great way to support Be the Star You Are!® and give a gift that continues to give is to buy books as a donation through our portal. Check out our Book Package: https://www.bethestaryouare.org/book-gift
Merch: Find well-made clothing and hats with the Be the Star You Are!® logo at https://www.bonfire.com/store/be-the-star-you-are-merch/. Numerous colors and styles are appropriate for all ages. A percentage of the proceeds benefits Be the Star You Are!®.
“Women have always been the strong ones of the world.” Coco Chanel
ABOUT BE THE STAR YOU ARE!®
Be the Star You Are!® is an all-volunteer organization that operates through contributions, in-kind donations, and proceeds from fundraising events. Be the Star You Are!® does not receive state or federal funding and is solely dependent on contributions from the community and corporations. Be the Star You Are!® is consistently honored as a TOP NON-PROFIT by Guidestar and Great Non-Profits.
Be the Star You Are!® supports all ethnicities and has no religious or political agendas or affiliations. Be the Star You Are!® is proud to have been serving the community, country, and world since 1999.
DONATE: https://www.paypal.com/fundraiser/charity/1504
DONATE: https://givebutter.com/BTSYA
Shine on, sisters!
