Tammy Tibbetts Wants to Alter Your Destiny
Tammy Tibbetts Wants to Alter Your Destiny
Who: Tammy Tibbetts, Cofounder and President, She's the First,
Passion Project: In 2009, Tibbetts founded She's the First, a nonprofit that sponsors girls' education in developing countries, enabling them to become the first in their families to graduate from secondary school.
Proof Positive: She's since awarded more than 900 scholarships to 368 girls in 10 countries, thanks in large part to fundraising efforts by some 400,000 members of the 100-plus chapters on high school and college campuses across the U.S. "It's not me changing the world," insists Tibbetts, 28, herself the first in her family to finish college. "It's the thousands of members of the She's the First community who realize that even small contributions can have a huge impact and who are not afraid to be the ones to take the first step."
Affecting Moment: The course of 20-year-old Maheshwari's life had been set from birth. An untouchable, India's lowest caste, she was assumed to have no chance of completing high school—no one in her family ever had. But, for what amounted to $4.38 a day in scholarships, Maheshwari did finish high school and is now studying biotechnology and genetics at a university in Bangalore, with plans to attend medical school—a far more hopeful fate than marrying, having children young, and never improving her lot in life.
The Vision: "Hopefully in my lifetime, there won't be a need for She's the First," Tibbetts says, "because all girls will have access to education."
Get Involved: shesthefirst.org or donate here
Related: 19 Other Women Who Are Changing the World
Stay In The Know
Get exclusive access to fashion and beauty trends, hot-off-the-press celebrity news, and more.
Photo via Peter Hapak
-
Kate Middleton Makes First Major Royal Appearance Since July at Festival of Remembrance Concert
The Princess of Wales is making her slow return to full-time royal work following the end of her cancer treatments.
By Danielle Campoamor Published
-
Who is Susie Wiles? President-Elect Donald Trump Names His White House Chief of Staff
The political consultant helped the former president run his successful 2024 campaign.
By Danielle Campoamor Published
-
Zoë Kravitz's Breakup Style Just Took an Elevated Turn
She's dressing in lace and diamonds.
By Danielle Campoamor Published
-
11 Books That Are the Antidote to Toxic Girlboss Hustle Culture
These memoirs and nonfiction titles will inspire you to focus on your personal ambitions.
By Andrea Park Published
-
Almost Famous
Half of the Shondaland dream team, the woman whose work brings 'Bridgerton' to life, is one of the most influential producers in Hollywood. And she’s ready for everyone to know it.
By Jessica M. Goldstein Published
-
Payal Kadakia Is Finally Sharing Her Secret Sauce to Success
In her new book, LifePass, the ClassPass founder gives you the tools to write your own success story.
By Neha Prakash Published
-
The Power Issue
Our November issue is all about power—having it, embracing it, and dressing for it.
By Marie Claire Editors Published
-
J. Smith-Cameron Is in Control
She’s Logan Roy’s right hand. She’s Roman’s ‘mommy girlfriend.’ And she’s a fan favorite. Here, the Succession star takes us behind the scenes of Gerri’s boardroom power plays.
By Jessica M. Goldstein Published
-
More Than A Pretty Face: Anna Schuleit
German-born artist Anna Schuleit went from anonymous to Einstein virtually overnight, thanks to a call from the MacArthur Foundation announcing that she'd won a 2006 "Genius" grant for $500,000.
By Katherine Turman Published
-
What Makes an Olympic Moment?
In the past it meant overcoming struggle...and winning. But why must athletes suffer to be inspiring?
By Megan DiTrolio Published
-
'The Other Black Girl' Gets Real About Racism in the Workplace
"It really hits home how many spaces don’t allow Black women to really show up as their authentic selves."
By Rachel Epstein Published