Haley 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:
Haley Kilpatrick
Age:
24
Your email address:
Your website:
Your “claim to fame” – aka why you were part of Glamour’s 20 Amazing Young Women!:
I founded Girl Talk, a peer-to-peer mentoring program where high school girls mentor middle school girls. We inspire them through mentoring, leadership opportunities and community service. Today we reach 32,000 girls in 42 states, Canada, Australia and Africa.
What are you doing to change the world?
1) Inspiring young teens to be more community minded through community service & ultimately change the world 2) Breaking the mean girl cycle through mentoring 3) Positively influencing high school girls through leadership
What was your inspiration for this?
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My difficult middle school experience 2)Trying to prevent my younger sister from going through the same experience
What is a quotation or message that drives you?
“Many lives are influenced when one influences a woman- especially a young woman.” – Girl Talk Board Member, Ron Bell
What has been your proudest accomplishment so far?
Getting a handwritten note from a mother who said Girl Talk saved her daughter’s life.
At what one point did you really feel like you’d made an impact?
Quick! Our guidance counselor pulled me aside and said Girl Talk was making her job easier. Girls were really communicating with each other and working things out together.
What would you say was the “coolest” moment in your life thus far?
On the Girl Talk front- getting a donation and handwritten note from one of the girls who made middle school really hard for me!
What is a challenge you’ve faced while trying to achieve your goals?
Learning that sometimes it takes several “no’s” to find your “yes”- and that is perfectly ok!
If someone gave you a million dollars to benefit your cause (or your research, your company, etc.) what would you use it for?
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Scholarship fund for girls who cannot afford college 2) Grow our team to be able to reach more girls 3) Host an annual teen conference for all the girls to come together 4) Enhance our archaic computer collection ?
In 10 years I hope…
To be reaching the 11.6 million middle and high school girls in need of a supplemental program like Girl Talk and focusing on the 20 years of success and lives forever changed for the good.
What 3 adjectives would people use to describe you?
I just asked my husband! 1) Benevolent 2) Inspiring 3) Persistent
What is your biggest weakness?
Knowing when to say “no”. Your cup has to be full for you to be able to share your overflow. I am constantly reminding myself of this.
Who is your hero and why?
Oprah Winfrey, because she never took no for an answer and has used her power and fame to help others and create awareness.
Who is your biggest cheerleader, supporting you every step of the way?
A tie between my family and my husband. I am so very blessed to have great support and people who have poured into my life personally and professionally- these people have truly become family.
Describe your idea of a perfect day.
Waking up from 8 hours of sleep, breakfast with my mentor, working at Girl Talk with our amazing Chapter Coordinator Erin, lunch with another mentor & friend, picking a Girl Talk Girl up from school (& being a mentor), visiting a Girl Talk Chapter, dinner and down time with my husband.
What do you like to do outside of your work?
Go to the movies, read, yoga and volunteer for local causes I am passionate about
Which of this year’s Glamour WOTY award winners would you most like to meet and why?
Dr. Hawa Abdi inspired me beyond belief. She and her two daughters have turned their family farm into a community for 90,000 refugees (mainly women and children). I would like to know what I can do and how we can inspire our Girl Talk Girls to help the people of Somalia.
What was your favorite part of Glamour’s WOTY Awards?
When Oprah Winfrey walked out to present to Julia Roberts!
What did you wear to Glamour’s WOTY Awards?
A blue Zac Posen Skirt and black top. A fabulous Girl Talk Board Member loaned me the pieces from her amazing wardrobe!
Who do you think should win a Glamour WOTY Award next year?
Taylor Swift- for who she is and the causes she supports
What is your favorite thing about Glamour magazine?
Their desire to keep their readers inspired.
What does “glamour” mean to you?
Someone who radiates “timelessness & compassion” from the inside out.
How does it feel to be honored as one of Glamour Magazine’s 20 young women who are already changing the world?
Humbled! I was so honored to be associated with the other 19 honorees. I hope we can all remain in touch and support each other’s efforts.
What advice would you give to our college women readers?
One person can create a movement and that starts with you!