corporate world,” she said.
While in Philadelphia, Chen was able to meet
like-minded young individuals who are passionate
about lots of social issues.
Chen has also participated in conferences
across the country. “I attend a lot of female
empowerment conferences and on top of that,
since I’ve gotten involved in that issue, I’ve been
invited to speak at various conferences. I spoke
at the United Nations, Princeton University,
Columbia University, and a lot of local libraries and
schools,” she said, adding that she was nervous.
“I was so young. I looked at the other panelists and
they were older than me. The woman closest to age
to me was 25. They’re all so accomplished. I think
being young, a lot of people misjudge you, and
nowadays people think millennials are lazy. But I
think we are very motivated and want to achieve
our goals now.”
Bay Ridge has played an integral part in Chen’s
success. “It’s where I started my advocacy and
community service and volunteered. I’m leaving
Bay Ridge but hopefully I can bring those assets
to Philadelphia.”
The future is bright for Chen. She has won
over $200,000 in college scholarships and
has lofty goals that she is more than capable
of accomplishing. “My long-term goals include
creating a for-profi t company, but one that gives
back,” said. “I want to fi nd ways to make nonprofi
ts more sustainable and stronger, and also do
marketing work as well as write a book.”
advocate for executive women but also to mentor
girls ages 13-19 to start dreaming big, advocating
for their rights and pursuing their passions,”
explained Chen, adding, “It’s been great so far.”
GALS has helped her as well. “It’s really
propelled me to cultivate mindfulness and peace,
and to use my initiative spirit so I could directly
impact and help my community,” she said. “I was
15 when I started this, and seeing this passion
come to life, it really helps build more confi dence
in yourself. Also, it’s been great because, at
my workshops, we bring in female panelists
including entrepreneurs, supermodels and
fi lm directors.”
It has been rewarding for Chen to see girls
in the program become more confi dent.
“It’s been great seeing our girls grow
because a lot of them come in shy and
unsure of what they want to do and come
out confi dent,” she said.
“A lot of them have made waves in
their own communities,” Chen went
on. “Some started school clubs or
businesses. One was even featured
in Michelle Obama’s Better Make
Room newspaper, and one of the
speakers led a petition to join the
Boy Scouts and it circulated all
across New York City.”
This along with other outreach
helped Chen win the National
Liberty Museum’s TD Bank Young
Heroes Award. “I got nominated
by my assistant principal for
my work in community service
and making a diff erence as a
younger person. Since I worked
very closely with him, he was
able to see my passion for
helping others and especially
female empowerment in the
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