Women’s History Month, a time to encourage and support one another.
Women’s History Month is a time to celebrate and recognize the achievements of women throughout history, as well as to inspire and encourage women to pursue their dreams and ambitions. This month serves as a reminder that we all play a role in creating a more equitable and inclusive world where women have equal opportunities and are free to live their lives to the fullest. It’s a time to support and uplift the women in our lives, and to commit to working towards gender equality every day.
The Women Behind Be Strong International
Mrs. Althea McMillan, Founder.
Be Strong International was founded by a resilient, smart and kind woman, Mrs. Althea McMillan, a retired Miami-Dade Public School’s teacher. Driven by her own story, being herself a former 15-year-old pregnant school drop out, she became committed to educating youth and parents on fostering and maintaining themselves emotionally, mentally, physically and spiritually. In 1992, she founded Be Strong International and grew the organization almost single-handedly until the community started to take notice of its impact. Her goal was to end the cycle of broken individuals and family relationships.
Michelle Shirley, CEO & Chief Heart Officer.
Michelle began her career at Be Strong International in 2005, and advanced professionally from office and program manager to CEO. Since taking on the role in 2012, Michelle has increased the organization’s annual operating budget from $250k to more than $3 million and increased its programmatic impact to serve more than 8,000 youth and families each year in Miami-Dade and Broward Counties. Under her leadership, the organization offers an array of resources that teach Heart SkillsTM , essential skills that help transition individuals from brokenness to wholeness. Affectionately known as the Chief Heart Officer, she is a frontline leader in the community. Her vision for the organization has brought about a unique approach to social programs that touch people in every stage of their lives, especially the youth.
Be Strong International empowers women not only in the workplace, but in the community as well. Women are mothers, wives, daughters, sisters, professionals, and this celebration is all about women coming together, sharing resources, connecting, and encouraging one another.
Let’s celebrate Women’s History Month by amplifying women’s voices, support one another to continue breaking the glass ceiling, continue doing amazing things in the community, and continue thriving in our personal lives while creating a better future for all.
Watch below the inspiring messages from some of the amazing women at Be Strong International as we celebrate the strong and powerful women we are surrounded by!
