Arielle was honored as one of Glamour’s 20 Amazing Young Women at the 2010 Glamour Women of the Year Awards. Read about the other honorees here.
Name:
Arielle Alter Confino
Age:
23
Your website:
www.girlslearn.org
Your “claim to fame” – aka why you were part of Glamour’s 20 Amazing Young Women!:
Co-founded Girls Learn International with my mother and sister.
What are you doing to change the world?
Through GLI, I am striving to give American girls the opportunity to explore issues affecting other girls around the world. With that understanding, GLI is empowering girls to take on leadership roles and advocate for social change in a global context.
What was your inspiration for this?
Being afforded the privilege of a quality education in the US, I was able to see how girls my age in other countries were being extremely disadvantaged. I wanted to help by connecting with them, one on one.
What has been your proudest accomplishment so far?
My proudest accomplishment would have to be when then Senator Hillary Clinton attended the Girls Learn International Summit in 2006. Having such a powerful woman attend our summit and support our cause exemplified what we had set out to do.
At what one point did you really feel like you’d made an impact?
When we opened the first batch of thank you letters and photos from the partner schools abroad, I really felt that we were doing something special.
What would you say was the “coolest” moment in your life thus far?
Girls Learn has afforded me a lot of “cool” moments, but again, reading the thank you letters and seeing the photos from the partner schools are always something I enjoy. Being named one of Glamour’s Women of the Year.
If someone gave you a million dollars to benefit your cause (or your research, your company, etc.) what would you use it for?
I would use it to benefit the partner schools abroad, so girls have access to not only education, but the necessary materials (books, etc.) that go along with it.
In 10 years I hope…
That Girls Learn expands to even more high schools and continues to spread awareness and education across the globe.
What would you be doing if you weren’t doing this?
I would still be looking for ways to advocate for the advancement of women globally, whether in a non-profit or government sector.
What 3 adjectives would people use to describe you?
Compassionate, driven, intelligent
Who is your biggest cheerleader, supporting you every step of the way?
My mom is a huge supporter of mine. Not only does she oversee Girls Learn, she supports me in whatever I do.
What do you like to do outside of your work?
I like to spend time with my friends by going shopping and trying new restaurants. I also enjoy watching TV shows such as The Tudors and The Pacific.
Which of this year’s Glamour WOTY award winners would you most like to meet and why?
Oprah. She has done so much for girls around the globe.
What was your favorite part of Glamour’s WOTY Awards?
Seeing the women I’m a fan of and have admired for years! Kate Hudson, Fergie, Janet Jackson, Oprah—it was very exciting.
What is your favorite thing about Glamour magazine?
I love that it is a women’s magazine with a point of view!
What does “glamour” mean to you?
To me it means being smart and stylish inside and out.
How does it feel to be honored as one of Glamour Magazine’s 20 young women who are already changing the world?
It’s amazing! I’m very honored, and I will keep up the work I’m doing!
What advice would you give to our college women readers?
To college women, I would say to find something you are passionate about and see it through.