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- Welcome to the wonderful
city of Paris,
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Official YIFY movies site:
YTS.MX
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where we will meet
ten inspiring
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and extraordinary women.
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Women who overcame
adversity and trauma,
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turning their lives around
to make a positive impact.
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- I'm going to help girls
like me when we get older.
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* *
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- Now as an adult,
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I can help children understand
their worth.
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* *
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- He'd give me a high five
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and say, "You go, Mom.
You got this."
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- They didn't turn away.
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- If you ignore the problem,
it doesn't mean it goes away.
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- Why are people doing this?
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And why isn't anyone doing
anything about it?
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- These women provide
solutions, work tirelessly,
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and selflessly serving
their communities.
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- Kindness
is at the root of it all.
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- It has funded
a lot of smiles.
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- Turning heartbreak into hope.
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- Tonight,
they share their stories
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with incredible
humanitarian stars
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keen to promote their causes.
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They are L'Oréal Paris'
Women of Worth.
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- Selected from thousands
of nominations
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across the country,
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we brought our Women of Worth
2021 honorees
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to the glorious city of Paris.
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* *
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Paris is
a truly inspiring city.
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So it's a fitting place
to honor ten women
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who are also truly inspiring
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with their extraordinary
stories of support,
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service, and sacrifice.
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We'll meet them all.
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Let's get to know the 2021
Women of Worth honorees.
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* *
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Amanda Munz
with the Fashion Foundation.
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Ashley Rhodes-Courter
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with the Foundation
for Sustainable Families.
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Briana Daniels
with Street Team Movement Inc.
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Lara MacGregor
with Hope Scarves.
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Marian McCord with CHADS
Coalition for Mental Health.
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Michelle Tran
with Soar Over Hate.
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Natalie Jia Guo
with Off Their Plate.
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Natalie Wilson with
Black and Missing Foundation.
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Pooja Chandrashekar
with ProjectCSGIRLS.
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Starr Davis
with the Starr Institute Inc.
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For their final day in Paris,
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this year's Women of Worth
honorees are gathered
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to share their inspirational
and heartwarming stories
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with each other...
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and some other fabulous
worthy women you may recognize.
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* *
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[upbeat music]
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- Hey, Starr.
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So when did this journey
of Starr Institute start?
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- I actually founded
the organization in 2017.
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And so by profession,
I'm an attorney.
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And by purpose, I'm a founder
and executive director
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of the Starr Institute.
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[soft music]
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- With more than
42 million victims
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of sex abuse in America today,
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Starr Davis has spent
the last five years
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supporting child survivors.
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* *
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- One in ten children will be
sexually abused
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by their 18th birthday.
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Abuse is going on
all around us,
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but people don't want
to talk about that.
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They want to say this is
too hard of a conversation
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and makes
them uncomfortable.
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Well, I will no longer
be silent
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so that society can be
comfortable.
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Not gonna do it.
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- Starr grew up
with her mother and brother,
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but her world fell apart
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when her family structure
crumbled
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and she was
moved from home to home.
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- At seven, that's when
the molestation began.
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It just was, you know, kind
of spiraling out of control.
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And I just felt all alone.
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I only told my best friend.
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And I distinctly remember
that night
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that I made that vow to her.
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And I said, "I'm going to help
girls like me
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when we get older."
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- Starr's circumstances
changed
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when she was 12 years old
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and moved in
with her grandmother.
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This move spelt the end
of years of abuse.
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- She was
always encouraging me.
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Um...
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* *
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[exhales]
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I lost her last year.
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So it's hard because...
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when I was growing up,
I needed her, right?
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And so she was
just there for me.
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And so... that is what kids
need.
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They want to know
that they have someone.
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They want to know that someone
is gonna show up for them.
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- Five years ago, Starr
launched the Starr Institute,
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whose purpose is to educate,
engage, and empower
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young people and those
who have experienced abuse.
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- Let's talk about, like, have
you heard about this challenge?
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- Mm-hmm.
- Have you participated in it?
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- Okay, okay.
I like that, I like that.
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Starr really cares
about our young people.
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And they can connect
with that 'cause they want
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to know that there's hope,
right?
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There is someone
who has been through
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some of what
we have been through
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and have been able
to make it on the other side.
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- Ooh,
this is making me excited.
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- Yeah, yeah, yeah.
- Some people will never talk
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about it.
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Some people, it's too painful.
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But for me, I feel like
I'm supposed to talk about it,
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and it helps me to help
other people,
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so that they can know
"It's not just me."
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It's just--it's my purpose.
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It's what I was purposed to do.
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And now I know that that's why
I was able to make it through.
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- How do you feel like
this has impacted your life,
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like, considering
the traumatic experiences
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that you went through?
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- It's been healing, right?
- Mm.
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And I speak for other women
and other men
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who can't speak,
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right?
- Mm-hmm.
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- There's never been a time
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that I've shared my story
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that someone else
didn't disclose to me.
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Very rarely disclosed.
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It only affects you, like,
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psychologically,
or mentally, and emotionally.
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- It affects
you physiologically.
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Trauma is
a public health crisis.
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- It is.
- Thank you so much, Starr.
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Thank you for...
- Thank you.
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- Sharing your story with us
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and thank you for
the incredibly important work
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that you're doing.
- Thank you for having me.
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- Join us after the break,
when Katherine Langford
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meets a woman whose childhood
experience fueled her mission
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to help other families going
through challenges.
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[upbeat music]
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.
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[Lizzo's "Good as Hell" cover]
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- Welcome back.
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We are here in Paris,
where we are celebrating
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our 2021 Women of Worth
honorees.
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We are about to hear
from a woman who,
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against all odds,
turned her life around
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and is now dedicated
to helping others
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who have lived through
trauma or abuse
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in the foster care system.
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[soft music]
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- Here at the Foundation,
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we serve all families
that are in high-risk
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or high-conflict situations,
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be it families who are
experiencing foster care,
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families who have adopted
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who need
that post-adoptive support,
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or just families
that find themselves
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in difficult circumstances.
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- Ashley's desire
to help others
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stems from her own childhood
experiences.
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- I was placed
in the foster care system
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when I was
about three years old.
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And I spent almost
ten years in care.
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During that time,
I had 14 different placements.
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I later learned that more
than 25% of my caregivers
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were or became
convicted felons.
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And we were beaten,
starved, locked outside,
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forced to swallow hot sauce.
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I didn't understand
what was happening.
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- After years of neglect,
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12-year-old Ashley was finally
thrown a lifeline
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by court-appointed guardian
Mary Miller.
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- Mary believed me when
I said I was being abused.
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She was the one person
who wasn't paid
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to take care of me,
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and yet she did the most to get
me out of abusive situations
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and ultimately changed
everything about my world.
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- Being proud of Ashley,
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that's not even the word
to use.
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I'm not even sure what it is.
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I can remember
visiting her
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when she was
in a foster setup.
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And when I asked her
what she wanted to do
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with her life, she said,
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"I wanna make sure
no other child
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has to go
through what I did."
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So she's always known
what she wanted to do.
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- I was just like you.
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And I was adopted too.
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- Just as she was helped,
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Ashley now supports
countless families,
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among them Janna,
who is in the process
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of adopting eight-year-old
Mierra.
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- I am her sixth placement.
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She's faced significant trauma,
neglect, abuse.
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Things got really,
really hard at home.
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We were introduced to Ashley,
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told about
Sustainable Family Services.
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And truly,
the clouds started to part.
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- When I was a kid growing
up in the foster care system,
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I thought there was something
inherently wrong with me,
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that I was broken,
or bad, or damaged.
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Now as an adult,
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I can help children
understand their worth
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and their power
and their voice.
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And when you're able
to give kids
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that kind of power and
ownership over their stories,
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unbelievable things can happen.
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* *
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- It's such
a pleasure to meet you.
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- Likewise.
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- What's the most important
life lesson you've learned
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that's helped you
move forward?
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- I want my story
to help showcase
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that no matter what
your past experiences are,
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no matter what
your family of origin,
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no matter what
your life circumstance is,
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resiliency can come
at any age, any stage.
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So you, if you're struggling,
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have opportunity
to turn things around,
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and there will be
better days ahead.
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- Well, you're definitely
a Woman of Worth,
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as are all of you.
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And thank you so much
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for sharing your story with us.
- My pleasure.
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* *
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- Sadly, not all of this year's
Women of Worth honorees
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were able to make it
to Paris this evening.
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Lara was unable due
to ill health.
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But I'm very happy
she's able to join me
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for a chat right now.
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How does it feel to be
one of the honorees this year?
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- It was such an honor.
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It really came
at such a wonderful time
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because I was facing
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progressing metastatic
breast cancer
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and getting a lot of bad news
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and just feeling
really terrible physically.
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And so to get
this really exciting award
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and this recognition
for my life's work...
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brought this spark of joy
into my life
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that was really needed.
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- Tell me a little bit more
about Hope Scarves.
258
00:10:46,688 --> 00:10:49,733
- Absolutely.
So I was originally diagnosed
259
00:10:49,774 --> 00:10:52,610
with breast cancer when
I was 30 years old
260
00:10:52,652 --> 00:10:54,487
and seven months pregnant.
261
00:10:54,529 --> 00:10:57,490
And a friend of a friend,
who I had never met,
262
00:10:57,532 --> 00:11:00,493
named Kelly sent me
a box of scarves
263
00:11:00,535 --> 00:11:03,538
with a note that said,
"You can do this."
264
00:11:03,580 --> 00:11:05,999
After I had received
these scarves and worn them,
265
00:11:06,041 --> 00:11:10,170
I realized how much they
could help another person.
266
00:11:10,211 --> 00:11:11,171
- Yes!
267
00:11:11,212 --> 00:11:12,505
That's a good one.
268
00:11:12,547 --> 00:11:15,967
- And I realized the power
of storytelling
269
00:11:16,009 --> 00:11:17,260
and passing the scarves on.
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00:11:17,302 --> 00:11:19,512
[soft music]
271
00:11:19,554 --> 00:11:22,015
Hope Scarves started
with two or three scarves
272
00:11:22,057 --> 00:11:24,642
in my spare bedroom,
and now today,
273
00:11:24,684 --> 00:11:28,355
we've sent nearly 20,000
Hope Scarves
274
00:11:28,396 --> 00:11:30,982
to 27 different countries.
275
00:11:31,024 --> 00:11:33,360
The oldest recipient is 97.
276
00:11:33,401 --> 00:11:37,072
The youngest
is just six months old.
277
00:11:37,113 --> 00:11:39,199
- We are positive.
- Good!
278
00:11:39,240 --> 00:11:40,241
- See, that's always
a good thing.
279
00:11:40,283 --> 00:11:41,201
- That's all you want.
- [laughs]
280
00:11:41,242 --> 00:11:43,953
Here, you want to celebrate!
281
00:11:43,995 --> 00:11:45,872
- What began
as a global community
282
00:11:45,914 --> 00:11:48,792
to connect those going
through similar ordeals
283
00:11:48,833 --> 00:11:51,127
has now grown
into a fundraising body
284
00:11:51,169 --> 00:11:54,673
for vital research
into metastatic breast cancer.
285
00:11:54,714 --> 00:11:58,551
- The average life expectancy
is still 2 to 3 years.
286
00:11:58,593 --> 00:12:03,390
114 people die every day
of metastatic breast cancer.
287
00:12:03,431 --> 00:12:06,059
We've invested
almost $1.5 million
288
00:12:06,101 --> 00:12:08,645
in metastatic
breast cancer research,
289
00:12:08,687 --> 00:12:13,441
which really got to the heart
of what I feel is so important,
290
00:12:13,483 --> 00:12:16,486
which is about turning
heartbreak into hope.
291
00:12:16,528 --> 00:12:18,947
It is just like,
"Okay, now how do we--how do
292
00:12:18,988 --> 00:12:22,158
build on that
and keep growing," you know?
293
00:12:22,200 --> 00:12:25,745
The idea of... dying
294
00:12:25,787 --> 00:12:28,748
and not being here
to see Hope Scarves
295
00:12:28,790 --> 00:12:35,380
grow into all it can be
is really sad and scary.
296
00:12:35,422 --> 00:12:38,258
It's not that you have
to fill my shoes.
297
00:12:38,299 --> 00:12:40,552
It's that we're gonna
find you
298
00:12:40,593 --> 00:12:42,721
your own amazing set of shoes.
299
00:12:42,762 --> 00:12:45,265
- Knowing Hope Scarves is
going to continue,
300
00:12:45,306 --> 00:12:47,600
passing on the baton
to somebody else
301
00:12:47,642 --> 00:12:49,602
to lead the organization,
302
00:12:49,644 --> 00:12:54,774
it brings her such peace
knowing that we've got this.
303
00:12:54,816 --> 00:12:56,901
* *
304
00:12:56,943 --> 00:13:00,447
- The idea that my children
will watch it grow,
305
00:13:00,488 --> 00:13:02,365
and that my friends
will see it,
306
00:13:02,407 --> 00:13:05,326
and that people will remember
me...
307
00:13:05,368 --> 00:13:08,121
not only for who I was
as an individual,
308
00:13:08,163 --> 00:13:09,706
but what I created here,
309
00:13:09,748 --> 00:13:13,001
it brings me so much joy
and gratitude.
310
00:13:13,043 --> 00:13:16,629
* *
311
00:13:16,671 --> 00:13:18,423
- Tell me about the grant.
312
00:13:18,465 --> 00:13:19,758
How are you gonna use it?
313
00:13:19,799 --> 00:13:21,676
- We've created
a strategic plan
314
00:13:21,718 --> 00:13:25,972
for the future of Hope Scarves
and what looks like beyond me.
315
00:13:26,014 --> 00:13:29,309
And though that's
a really hard conversation,
316
00:13:29,351 --> 00:13:31,978
it's something
that is so powerful
317
00:13:32,020 --> 00:13:35,899
because it's really amazing
to know
318
00:13:35,940 --> 00:13:37,734
that I've created
an organization
319
00:13:37,776 --> 00:13:40,820
that is bigger than me
and that will be my legacy.
320
00:13:40,862 --> 00:13:44,115
- Thank you so much, Lara,
for, you know, joining us.
321
00:13:44,157 --> 00:13:45,658
You have touched so many lives
322
00:13:45,700 --> 00:13:48,244
and you're doing
incredible work.
323
00:13:48,286 --> 00:13:49,704
I thank you
from the bottom of my heart
324
00:13:49,746 --> 00:13:51,956
for all of the women
that still have yet
325
00:13:51,998 --> 00:13:54,209
to be affected
by your legacy.
326
00:13:54,250 --> 00:13:57,379
- Thank you so much.
It's an honor to be recognized
327
00:13:57,420 --> 00:14:00,382
for something
I'm so passionate about.
328
00:14:00,423 --> 00:14:04,803
- Join us after the break,
when Gemma Chan talks
329
00:14:04,844 --> 00:14:08,098
to a woman who is giving
self-worth to the homeless.
330
00:14:15,689 --> 00:14:15,897
.
331
00:14:15,939 --> 00:14:16,398
[upbeat music]
332
00:14:18,817 --> 00:14:21,111
- Welcome back
to our Women of Worth special.
333
00:14:21,152 --> 00:14:24,781
[soft music]
334
00:14:24,823 --> 00:14:27,033
In a world
where we need more empathy,
335
00:14:27,075 --> 00:14:29,494
it often helps to put ourselves
in other people's shoes.
336
00:14:29,536 --> 00:14:32,163
And, Briana, I know that's
exactly how you got started,
337
00:14:32,205 --> 00:14:34,332
so can you please tell
us a bit about that?
338
00:14:34,374 --> 00:14:35,709
- Absolutely.
I thought
339
00:14:35,750 --> 00:14:37,669
the best way in order
to help the homeless
340
00:14:37,711 --> 00:14:41,256
is to become like a homeless.
341
00:14:41,297 --> 00:14:43,800
I lived on the streets
for 32 days.
342
00:14:43,842 --> 00:14:45,719
You're sweating.
It's raining.
343
00:14:45,760 --> 00:14:48,054
Like, I need to shower,
and I can't do that.
344
00:14:48,096 --> 00:14:49,973
I need to use the restroom,
and I can't do that.
345
00:14:50,015 --> 00:14:51,433
You know, I got a bug bite.
346
00:14:51,474 --> 00:14:53,435
Like, I'm outside.
347
00:14:53,476 --> 00:14:54,769
I'm like, "What now?"
348
00:14:54,811 --> 00:14:56,813
That's when I created
Street Team Movement.
349
00:14:56,855 --> 00:14:58,356
- Street Team Movement
partners
350
00:14:58,398 --> 00:15:00,900
with local laundromats,
who open their doors
351
00:15:00,942 --> 00:15:02,485
to the homeless community.
352
00:15:02,527 --> 00:15:05,030
For many, it's life-changing.
353
00:15:05,071 --> 00:15:06,448
- There was two brothers,
the Anderson brothers.
354
00:15:06,489 --> 00:15:07,741
They came in.
355
00:15:07,782 --> 00:15:09,075
They had job interviews
the next day
356
00:15:09,117 --> 00:15:10,660
as welders and they needed
these jobs.
357
00:15:10,702 --> 00:15:12,746
So we did their laundry
for them.
358
00:15:12,787 --> 00:15:15,165
And they called the next day,
and they said,
359
00:15:15,206 --> 00:15:18,877
"The hiring manager said
no one looks clean
360
00:15:18,918 --> 00:15:20,211
in welding interviews."
361
00:15:20,253 --> 00:15:21,880
And they both walked out
with jobs that day.
362
00:15:21,921 --> 00:15:24,424
And they said,
"We didn't feel homeless.
363
00:15:24,466 --> 00:15:27,218
We felt normal for once."
364
00:15:27,260 --> 00:15:30,013
- As well as helping
the homeless with laundry,
365
00:15:30,055 --> 00:15:32,015
they offer hygiene essentials
366
00:15:32,057 --> 00:15:33,933
and a safe place to hang out.
367
00:15:33,975 --> 00:15:35,602
- We have a whole coffee bar
set up
368
00:15:35,643 --> 00:15:36,853
with, like, actual glass mugs.
369
00:15:36,895 --> 00:15:38,229
And I remember one
of our homeless friends,
370
00:15:38,271 --> 00:15:40,732
Eugene, he sat there
the first time he had his mug,
371
00:15:40,774 --> 00:15:43,651
and--and he cried.
372
00:15:43,693 --> 00:15:45,737
Yeah.
373
00:15:46,988 --> 00:15:48,323
He hadn't drank
from a regular cup
374
00:15:48,365 --> 00:15:50,200
in a long time.
375
00:15:50,241 --> 00:15:52,160
And it's something
that was so little
376
00:15:52,202 --> 00:15:53,453
that we didn't even
think about.
377
00:15:53,495 --> 00:15:55,288
It meant everything to him.
378
00:15:55,330 --> 00:15:58,416
- Since its inception,
Street Team has done
379
00:15:58,458 --> 00:16:00,627
over 20,000 loads of laundry
380
00:16:00,669 --> 00:16:03,922
and handed out over a million
hygiene items.
381
00:16:03,963 --> 00:16:05,090
- What we're gonna be doing
is we're gonna
382
00:16:05,131 --> 00:16:07,634
pack our feminine hygiene kits.
383
00:16:07,676 --> 00:16:10,261
- Briana is the girl
who knows what she wants to do.
384
00:16:10,303 --> 00:16:11,638
And she's going to do it.
385
00:16:11,680 --> 00:16:13,973
To be around her is to know
386
00:16:14,015 --> 00:16:16,267
that we are going
to get it done.
387
00:16:16,309 --> 00:16:19,396
- She's the real deal.
She is making a direct impact
388
00:16:19,437 --> 00:16:21,147
in Orlando, where there is
389
00:16:21,189 --> 00:16:23,358
a huge need for services
like this.
390
00:16:23,400 --> 00:16:26,319
And you can just see
the difference that she makes.
391
00:16:26,361 --> 00:16:28,279
- The mission
of Street Team Movement
392
00:16:28,321 --> 00:16:30,657
is to restore hope
to homeless individuals.
393
00:16:30,699 --> 00:16:31,991
* *
394
00:16:32,033 --> 00:16:33,618
Everyone deserves to be clean,
395
00:16:33,660 --> 00:16:35,161
because if you feel clean,
396
00:16:35,203 --> 00:16:37,831
you begin to feel fragments
of the person
397
00:16:37,872 --> 00:16:40,417
that you were coming back.
398
00:16:40,458 --> 00:16:43,336
- Homelessness is a global
problem, and it's something
399
00:16:43,378 --> 00:16:45,964
we all need to take seriously,
and I feel that especially
400
00:16:46,006 --> 00:16:48,049
because of the last couple
of years and the pandemic,
401
00:16:48,091 --> 00:16:50,260
so many more families will
have been pushed to the brink
402
00:16:50,301 --> 00:16:51,803
and probably over
that poverty line
403
00:16:51,845 --> 00:16:53,722
and potentially
into homelessness.
404
00:16:53,763 --> 00:16:56,433
So what do you think
that the people watching
405
00:16:56,474 --> 00:16:58,018
should be focusing on,
406
00:16:58,059 --> 00:16:59,644
or what is something small
that they could do?
407
00:16:59,686 --> 00:17:04,232
- If you see a homeless person,
look them in the eyes.
408
00:17:04,274 --> 00:17:06,818
Something I experienced
on the street was,
409
00:17:06,860 --> 00:17:09,404
nobody will look you in the
eyes.
410
00:17:09,446 --> 00:17:10,530
It's something so small,
411
00:17:10,572 --> 00:17:14,200
but you start
to not feel like a human.
412
00:17:14,242 --> 00:17:15,827
And people start to look
at you differently
413
00:17:15,869 --> 00:17:18,747
or they ignore you
completely altogether.
414
00:17:18,788 --> 00:17:23,043
And if you ignore the problem,
it doesn't mean it goes away.
415
00:17:23,084 --> 00:17:25,337
- Yeah.
- And I want everyone to know
416
00:17:25,378 --> 00:17:26,838
that they're seen.
417
00:17:26,880 --> 00:17:28,048
And just by being seen,
418
00:17:28,089 --> 00:17:30,216
that really does change
somebody's life.
419
00:17:30,258 --> 00:17:32,135
Just to let them know
that you see them.
420
00:17:32,177 --> 00:17:33,678
- I think
that's brilliant advice.
421
00:17:33,720 --> 00:17:35,388
- Thank you.
422
00:17:35,430 --> 00:17:39,184
* *
423
00:17:41,895 --> 00:17:44,314
- The brains and the talent
in this room
424
00:17:44,356 --> 00:17:47,067
is so impressive,
to say the least.
425
00:17:47,108 --> 00:17:49,402
And their stories are
so very empowering.
426
00:17:49,444 --> 00:17:52,864
As we know,
Paris is the fashion capital.
427
00:17:52,906 --> 00:17:56,409
And here's a woman giving
a new meaning to fashion.
428
00:17:56,451 --> 00:17:57,619
Amanda,
429
00:17:57,660 --> 00:17:59,496
it sounds as if your nonprofit
430
00:17:59,537 --> 00:18:01,998
has really been the focus
of your time
431
00:18:02,040 --> 00:18:02,999
for the last few
years.
432
00:18:03,041 --> 00:18:05,001
So tell us all about it.
433
00:18:05,043 --> 00:18:06,586
- I started
the Fashion Foundation.
434
00:18:06,628 --> 00:18:09,047
It's a nonprofit where
I get designers
435
00:18:09,089 --> 00:18:10,924
from around the world
to donate product
436
00:18:10,965 --> 00:18:12,384
that they no longer need.
437
00:18:12,425 --> 00:18:13,802
[upbeat music]
438
00:18:13,843 --> 00:18:16,596
We sell that product
to consumers on our website
439
00:18:16,638 --> 00:18:18,348
for a fraction
of the retail cost,
440
00:18:18,390 --> 00:18:19,641
and we use
the proceeds to help
441
00:18:19,683 --> 00:18:21,643
local underprivileged kids
throughout New York.
442
00:18:21,685 --> 00:18:23,478
* *
443
00:18:23,520 --> 00:18:25,188
I was
in the fashion industry
444
00:18:25,230 --> 00:18:27,065
and just saw
that we had a problem.
445
00:18:27,107 --> 00:18:29,275
We were overproducing samples.
446
00:18:29,317 --> 00:18:31,152
And I just kind of thought,
as a 23-year-old,
447
00:18:31,194 --> 00:18:33,446
like, let me figure
out how to get designers
448
00:18:33,488 --> 00:18:34,864
to donate product to me.
449
00:18:34,906 --> 00:18:36,616
* *
450
00:18:36,658 --> 00:18:38,410
- The donated goods go on sale
451
00:18:38,451 --> 00:18:40,286
on the Fashion Foundation
website,
452
00:18:40,328 --> 00:18:42,414
and the money raised is used
to provide
453
00:18:42,455 --> 00:18:45,500
much-needed supplies
in the local community.
454
00:18:45,542 --> 00:18:47,127
- October 2020,
455
00:18:47,168 --> 00:18:50,005
that's our first work together.
456
00:18:50,046 --> 00:18:56,302
Amanda went ahead,
and she supplied over 500 bags
457
00:18:56,344 --> 00:18:58,680
of school supplies
for children
458
00:18:58,722 --> 00:19:01,307
in family shelters
all across Brooklyn.
459
00:19:01,349 --> 00:19:06,438
- We did school uniforms
for 455 children.
460
00:19:06,479 --> 00:19:08,857
- We have had a elementary
school in Brooklyn
461
00:19:08,898 --> 00:19:11,735
that we helped to create
a school library for them.
462
00:19:11,776 --> 00:19:14,446
We've helped create
a school playground in Harlem.
463
00:19:14,487 --> 00:19:15,989
- Christmas.
464
00:19:16,031 --> 00:19:18,992
Girl, Christmas was crazy.
- Hello.
465
00:19:19,034 --> 00:19:20,535
- Was Christmas crazy?
- Hello.
466
00:19:20,577 --> 00:19:21,786
She did blankets.
467
00:19:21,828 --> 00:19:22,704
She did hats.
- Hats.
468
00:19:22,746 --> 00:19:24,080
- Gloves, scarves,
469
00:19:24,122 --> 00:19:26,332
activity books, crayons...
470
00:19:26,374 --> 00:19:27,334
- And the shelters.
- We were like
471
00:19:27,375 --> 00:19:28,585
real-life Santa Clauses.
- Yeah.
472
00:19:28,626 --> 00:19:31,212
[soft music]
473
00:19:31,254 --> 00:19:33,548
- As well as art
and school supplies,
474
00:19:33,590 --> 00:19:37,093
the foundation runs
the Let's Get Artsy program
475
00:19:37,135 --> 00:19:39,346
every Sunday,
a chance for local kids
476
00:19:39,387 --> 00:19:42,766
to have fun
and explore their creativity.
477
00:19:42,807 --> 00:19:45,518
- She's really big
into arts and culture
478
00:19:45,560 --> 00:19:47,062
because that's something
that really lacks
479
00:19:47,103 --> 00:19:48,688
in schools of color.
480
00:19:48,730 --> 00:19:51,941
Amanda saw that and said,
"What? This is all you have?"
481
00:19:51,983 --> 00:19:53,193
And the next day,
482
00:19:53,234 --> 00:19:55,862
it was like $5,000 worth
of equipment came.
483
00:19:55,904 --> 00:19:58,406
- One, two, three. Oh!
484
00:19:58,448 --> 00:20:00,784
- I'm like,
"Yo, who does that?"
485
00:20:00,825 --> 00:20:02,702
- Amanda.
- The Fashion Foundation.
486
00:20:02,744 --> 00:20:04,371
- They do it.
- Yeah.
487
00:20:04,412 --> 00:20:07,457
- Still running the company
virtually single-handed,
488
00:20:07,499 --> 00:20:10,210
Amanda now works
with over 20 schools
489
00:20:10,251 --> 00:20:13,421
and has helped
16,000 local children.
490
00:20:13,463 --> 00:20:14,631
- I saw a problem,
491
00:20:14,673 --> 00:20:16,132
and I'm addressing
that problem every day.
492
00:20:16,174 --> 00:20:18,551
So I feel, like, a great sense
of pride in what I do.
493
00:20:18,593 --> 00:20:20,762
- She's truly
an extraordinary human being.
494
00:20:20,804 --> 00:20:21,971
She doesn't look at color.
495
00:20:22,013 --> 00:20:23,348
She doesn't think about race.
496
00:20:23,390 --> 00:20:25,934
She just serves
because there is a need,
497
00:20:25,975 --> 00:20:28,061
and that's what sets her apart.
498
00:20:28,103 --> 00:20:30,689
That's what sets
the Fashion Foundation apart.
499
00:20:30,730 --> 00:20:32,232
- 'Cause it's really hard
to actually track
500
00:20:32,273 --> 00:20:33,983
where your impact is going,
501
00:20:34,025 --> 00:20:36,653
but it has funded
a lot of smiles.
502
00:20:36,695 --> 00:20:38,196
People say, they're like,
"How do you measure
503
00:20:38,238 --> 00:20:39,322
your impact?"
and I honestly say,
504
00:20:39,364 --> 00:20:40,990
"We measure it in smiles."
505
00:20:41,032 --> 00:20:44,953
* *
506
00:20:44,994 --> 00:20:47,038
- I think that's such
a good message
507
00:20:47,080 --> 00:20:49,082
I think you're giving us all.
508
00:20:49,124 --> 00:20:51,668
And obviously, here,
we have many women
509
00:20:51,710 --> 00:20:54,671
who have done extraordinary
things for communities.
510
00:20:54,713 --> 00:20:57,465
It's a great story.
It's a great idea.
511
00:20:57,507 --> 00:20:59,426
And the best thing
will be to know
512
00:20:59,467 --> 00:21:01,386
that our money
that we're spending
513
00:21:01,428 --> 00:21:06,850
is going towards such a great
service as you are providing.
514
00:21:06,891 --> 00:21:08,184
- Thank you so much.
515
00:21:10,020 --> 00:21:11,521
- Join us after the break,
516
00:21:11,563 --> 00:21:13,732
when Aja Naomi King
meets a woman
517
00:21:13,773 --> 00:21:15,817
who's given a voice
to marginalized families
518
00:21:24,451 --> 00:21:24,617
.
519
00:21:24,659 --> 00:21:25,118
[upbeat music]
520
00:21:27,662 --> 00:21:28,955
- Welcome back.
521
00:21:28,997 --> 00:21:31,583
We're in the beautiful,
romantic city of Paris,
522
00:21:31,624 --> 00:21:34,419
where our ten compassionate
and committed honorees
523
00:21:34,461 --> 00:21:35,795
are sharing their stories.
524
00:21:35,837 --> 00:21:38,965
[soft music]
525
00:21:39,007 --> 00:21:41,885
I'm joined by a Woman
of Worth who is shining
526
00:21:41,926 --> 00:21:44,929
a very important light
on a heartbreaking issue
527
00:21:44,971 --> 00:21:47,640
that doesn't get the prominence
it deserves.
528
00:21:47,682 --> 00:21:48,516
Welcome, Natalie.
529
00:21:48,558 --> 00:21:49,851
- Thank you for having me.
530
00:21:49,893 --> 00:21:51,269
- I would really love
it if you could tell us
531
00:21:51,311 --> 00:21:53,480
all about the Black
and Missing Foundation.
532
00:21:53,521 --> 00:21:56,441
- Sure, so the Black
and Missing Foundation--
533
00:21:56,483 --> 00:21:58,943
we are a nonprofit
organization,
534
00:21:58,985 --> 00:22:03,448
and we focus on missing people
of color across the country.
535
00:22:03,490 --> 00:22:07,285
When we first started
the organization,
536
00:22:07,327 --> 00:22:11,206
we had no idea
of the magnitude of the issue.
537
00:22:11,247 --> 00:22:12,957
Right now, today,
538
00:22:12,999 --> 00:22:16,670
close to 40% of all persons
missing are of color.
539
00:22:16,711 --> 00:22:20,674
But we definitely don't see
ourselves on the news cycle.
540
00:22:20,715 --> 00:22:23,968
And that's why we were
created as an organization,
541
00:22:24,010 --> 00:22:27,806
to be that advocate
or to be that liaison
542
00:22:27,847 --> 00:22:31,559
between families and media
to get the word out.
543
00:22:31,601 --> 00:22:33,853
- Despite
having full-time careers,
544
00:22:33,895 --> 00:22:37,107
Natalie and her sister-in-law,
Derrica, work tirelessly
545
00:22:37,148 --> 00:22:38,650
to make a change.
546
00:22:38,692 --> 00:22:41,319
- When it comes
to missing persons of color,
547
00:22:41,361 --> 00:22:43,530
our lives are just not valued.
548
00:22:43,571 --> 00:22:47,617
And it's really giving
opportunities to predators
549
00:22:47,659 --> 00:22:50,245
to prey on us because,
in their mind,
550
00:22:50,286 --> 00:22:52,831
they know no one is gonna
come looking for us.
551
00:22:52,872 --> 00:22:56,543
They know that law enforcement
is gonna classify us
552
00:22:56,584 --> 00:22:59,796
as runaways or associate
our disappearance
553
00:22:59,838 --> 00:23:01,506
with some sort
of criminal activity.
554
00:23:01,548 --> 00:23:06,511
It all breaks down
to the color of our skin.
555
00:23:06,553 --> 00:23:10,682
- Ten years ago,
my goddaughter was kidnapped.
556
00:23:10,724 --> 00:23:14,310
At first, her mother went
in to the police station,
557
00:23:14,352 --> 00:23:15,687
and they just
kept blowing her off.
558
00:23:15,729 --> 00:23:17,022
They just didn't believe
she was missing.
559
00:23:17,063 --> 00:23:19,733
I wrote about it
and put it on my blog.
560
00:23:19,774 --> 00:23:22,944
Natalie found me
from my blog the same day,
561
00:23:22,986 --> 00:23:25,363
and by Monday,
Natalie made the national news.
562
00:23:25,405 --> 00:23:27,365
- Once you receive
media coverage,
563
00:23:27,407 --> 00:23:31,036
it alerts the community
that someone is missing.
564
00:23:31,077 --> 00:23:32,412
And they can be vigilant,
565
00:23:32,454 --> 00:23:35,582
which will increase
the chance of a recovery.
566
00:23:35,623 --> 00:23:38,460
But it also puts pressure
on law enforcement
567
00:23:38,501 --> 00:23:41,296
to add resources to the case.
568
00:23:41,338 --> 00:23:42,714
- Tragically,
569
00:23:42,756 --> 00:23:45,300
the body of Ni'cola's
goddaughter, Jade,
570
00:23:45,342 --> 00:23:47,886
was found four days later.
571
00:23:47,927 --> 00:23:49,804
- At least we got
some type of comfort
572
00:23:49,846 --> 00:23:52,140
'cause we know exactly
where she is.
573
00:23:52,182 --> 00:23:53,975
I think, for any mother,
574
00:23:54,017 --> 00:23:56,394
they'd rather know
where their baby is
575
00:23:56,436 --> 00:23:59,522
than if that child
up the street could be mine.
576
00:23:59,564 --> 00:24:01,358
If we did not have Natalie...
577
00:24:01,399 --> 00:24:02,901
[soft music]
578
00:24:02,942 --> 00:24:05,737
Jade would probably still
be missing.
579
00:24:05,779 --> 00:24:06,863
* *
580
00:24:06,905 --> 00:24:11,076
- Our fight
is for the voiceless.
581
00:24:11,117 --> 00:24:12,243
* *
582
00:24:12,285 --> 00:24:14,412
These families are desperate.
583
00:24:14,454 --> 00:24:16,581
* *
584
00:24:16,623 --> 00:24:18,208
- For you personally,
585
00:24:18,249 --> 00:24:23,338
what does that do to be able
to give voice to the voiceless?
586
00:24:23,380 --> 00:24:24,923
- It means a lot.
587
00:24:24,964 --> 00:24:27,425
We've come a long way
as an organization,
588
00:24:27,467 --> 00:24:30,637
but we have much more work
to do.
589
00:24:30,679 --> 00:24:35,100
We're still knocking on doors,
being turned away,
590
00:24:35,141 --> 00:24:36,768
asking for media coverage.
591
00:24:36,810 --> 00:24:38,770
We're not picking on the media
592
00:24:38,812 --> 00:24:41,147
because it takes
law enforcement, the media,
593
00:24:41,189 --> 00:24:43,274
and our community
to get involved.
594
00:24:43,316 --> 00:24:45,652
We all play a role in this.
595
00:24:45,694 --> 00:24:47,362
- In those really harsh
moments...
596
00:24:47,404 --> 00:24:48,488
- Mm-hmm.
597
00:24:48,530 --> 00:24:51,366
- How do you keep
the hope going?
598
00:24:51,408 --> 00:24:52,575
- You can't give up.
599
00:24:52,617 --> 00:24:57,539
Again, these are mothers
and fathers.
600
00:24:57,580 --> 00:25:00,041
There's Akia Eggleston,
601
00:25:00,083 --> 00:25:02,127
Relisha Rudd,
602
00:25:02,168 --> 00:25:03,962
Jonathan Bandabaila,
603
00:25:04,004 --> 00:25:05,588
Keeshae Jacobs.
604
00:25:05,630 --> 00:25:07,549
Those are just a few.
605
00:25:07,590 --> 00:25:10,385
There are thousands.
606
00:25:10,427 --> 00:25:11,886
- Thank you so much.
607
00:25:11,928 --> 00:25:15,807
Thank you for sharing
your story with us.
608
00:25:15,849 --> 00:25:17,851
We are with you.
609
00:25:17,892 --> 00:25:18,810
God bless you.
610
00:25:18,852 --> 00:25:20,979
So just thank you
for all of it.
611
00:25:21,021 --> 00:25:22,022
- Thank you.
612
00:25:22,063 --> 00:25:23,148
- Thank you so much.
613
00:25:23,189 --> 00:25:26,860
* *
614
00:25:26,901 --> 00:25:31,031
[upbeat music]
615
00:25:31,072 --> 00:25:34,159
- The pandemic has been
tough on all of us.
616
00:25:34,200 --> 00:25:36,119
We've all had to adapt
617
00:25:36,161 --> 00:25:40,040
and dig deep for the strength
to get through it.
618
00:25:40,081 --> 00:25:44,336
Hearing inspiring stories
of people going above
619
00:25:44,377 --> 00:25:49,090
and beyond in their communities
has given us all hope.
620
00:25:49,132 --> 00:25:50,967
I am so happy to be joined
621
00:25:51,009 --> 00:25:53,511
by a woman
on the medical front line
622
00:25:53,553 --> 00:25:56,014
who saw an immediate problem
623
00:25:56,056 --> 00:26:00,769
and came up
with a brilliant solution.
624
00:26:00,810 --> 00:26:04,731
Natalie, it's a great honor
to get to speak with you.
625
00:26:04,773 --> 00:26:06,024
So--
- You too.
626
00:26:06,066 --> 00:26:07,859
- When the pandemic hit,
627
00:26:07,901 --> 00:26:10,653
tell me a little bit about what
was happening in your life.
628
00:26:10,695 --> 00:26:11,946
- Everything changed.
629
00:26:11,988 --> 00:26:14,074
I mean, we really went
into crisis mode.
630
00:26:14,115 --> 00:26:15,825
[soft music]
631
00:26:15,867 --> 00:26:18,995
That night, I saw the news
and it was talking about,
632
00:26:19,037 --> 00:26:20,413
you know,
millions of restaurant workers
633
00:26:20,455 --> 00:26:21,873
who were getting laid off.
634
00:26:21,915 --> 00:26:26,461
And hospital workers
were working crazy shifts
635
00:26:26,503 --> 00:26:28,672
and eating out
of vending machines.
636
00:26:28,713 --> 00:26:31,174
And so that's sort
of where the idea started.
637
00:26:31,216 --> 00:26:33,551
- That night, she began
recruiting volunteers,
638
00:26:33,593 --> 00:26:35,303
and Off Their Plate was born.
639
00:26:35,345 --> 00:26:36,513
Within a couple of weeks,
640
00:26:36,554 --> 00:26:38,640
over $1 million
had been raised,
641
00:26:38,682 --> 00:26:40,392
allowing her to fund
this project
642
00:26:40,433 --> 00:26:42,268
in cities across America.
643
00:26:42,310 --> 00:26:44,187
- When COVID started,
I went crazy.
644
00:26:44,229 --> 00:26:45,647
I didn't know what to do
645
00:26:45,689 --> 00:26:49,275
because I have my staff
that depend on the business.
646
00:26:49,317 --> 00:26:50,527
I just cried, I'm like,
647
00:26:50,568 --> 00:26:51,986
"I have no idea
what I'm gonna do."
648
00:26:52,028 --> 00:26:55,156
And then I came across
Off Their Plate, basically,
649
00:26:55,198 --> 00:26:56,491
trying to save restaurants
650
00:26:56,533 --> 00:26:59,035
by giving us, like,
at least $10 per plate
651
00:26:59,077 --> 00:27:01,705
to produce food
to bring it to the hospital.
652
00:27:01,746 --> 00:27:03,248
So I'm like, "Where do I sign?"
653
00:27:03,289 --> 00:27:04,416
* *
654
00:27:04,457 --> 00:27:06,793
- We started out serving
hospital workers,
655
00:27:06,835 --> 00:27:09,421
people that the community
wanted to just, like, wrap up
656
00:27:09,462 --> 00:27:12,507
in their arms and say thank you
for what you do every day.
657
00:27:12,549 --> 00:27:14,217
* *
658
00:27:14,259 --> 00:27:17,178
I knew we were headed somewhere
really interesting
659
00:27:17,220 --> 00:27:21,349
when Barack Obama posted
on Instagram about us.
660
00:27:21,391 --> 00:27:24,269
That is probably the most
surreal moment of my life.
661
00:27:24,310 --> 00:27:28,064
I think we can just grab some
meals and just hand them out.
662
00:27:28,106 --> 00:27:30,275
- As hospitals began
to turn a corner,
663
00:27:30,316 --> 00:27:33,570
it became clear to Natalie
the Off-Their-Plate model
664
00:27:33,611 --> 00:27:34,863
could work equally well
665
00:27:34,904 --> 00:27:36,740
in providing
hot, nourishing meals
666
00:27:36,781 --> 00:27:40,618
to food-insecure families
throughout the country.
667
00:27:40,660 --> 00:27:41,911
- Here you go.
So this is chicken.
668
00:27:41,953 --> 00:27:43,204
- Yeah.
- And that's vegetarian.
669
00:27:43,246 --> 00:27:46,666
- We work with mostly
women of color chefs
670
00:27:46,708 --> 00:27:49,294
around the country
to tackle hunger
671
00:27:49,336 --> 00:27:51,963
exactly where they are
in their communities.
672
00:27:52,005 --> 00:27:53,590
And they do it doing
what they do best,
673
00:27:53,631 --> 00:27:56,468
which is cook amazing food.
674
00:27:56,509 --> 00:27:57,802
- Chicken or vegetarian?
675
00:27:57,844 --> 00:27:59,888
- Chicken.
- Chicken right there.
676
00:27:59,929 --> 00:28:02,974
- What she did during
the pandemic, it's amazing.
677
00:28:03,016 --> 00:28:05,894
She has done a lot
to help so many of us.
678
00:28:05,935 --> 00:28:07,979
- By providing
restaurant wages,
679
00:28:08,021 --> 00:28:09,731
by supporting restaurants,
680
00:28:09,773 --> 00:28:13,318
we're hoping to rebuild
communities in that way.
681
00:28:13,360 --> 00:28:16,321
- You've created this
amazing network of volunteers.
682
00:28:16,363 --> 00:28:17,822
Can you tell me
683
00:28:17,864 --> 00:28:20,825
what a simple act of kindness
can do?
684
00:28:20,867 --> 00:28:22,786
- Our generation
cares so deeply
685
00:28:22,827 --> 00:28:25,580
about where we head
in our decisions.
686
00:28:25,622 --> 00:28:28,083
And kindness is
at the root of it all.
687
00:28:28,124 --> 00:28:29,876
- Mm-hmm.
- And you can start small.
688
00:28:29,918 --> 00:28:31,836
You asked, you know,
simple act of kindness,
689
00:28:31,878 --> 00:28:33,922
what can that mean?
690
00:28:33,963 --> 00:28:36,841
It is glue, it is the glue
that sticks us to one another.
691
00:28:36,883 --> 00:28:38,218
One of the easiest ways,
I think,
692
00:28:38,259 --> 00:28:40,053
to build a friendship,
I've now realized,
693
00:28:40,095 --> 00:28:42,389
is to work
on something together
694
00:28:42,430 --> 00:28:44,099
that's about somebody else.
695
00:28:44,140 --> 00:28:45,433
- Yes.
- I think that joins you
696
00:28:45,475 --> 00:28:47,352
in a way
that is really special.
697
00:28:47,394 --> 00:28:48,687
- Yes, that's beautiful.
698
00:28:48,728 --> 00:28:50,105
And finally, Natalie,
699
00:28:50,146 --> 00:28:51,690
what would you say
to people at home
700
00:28:51,731 --> 00:28:53,900
who have been inspired
by your story?
701
00:28:53,942 --> 00:28:57,529
- To care about something
that's bigger than yourself
702
00:28:57,570 --> 00:28:59,906
and to go
and find other people
703
00:28:59,948 --> 00:29:03,368
who care about it as well
because whatever that is,
704
00:29:03,410 --> 00:29:04,536
it's waiting for you,
705
00:29:04,577 --> 00:29:07,122
and it's waiting
for your craft.
706
00:29:07,163 --> 00:29:08,998
And if you go looking
for the team
707
00:29:09,040 --> 00:29:11,793
that's passionate about it
and you don't find that team,
708
00:29:11,835 --> 00:29:13,503
then you should go
start it yourself.
709
00:29:13,545 --> 00:29:14,546
* *
710
00:29:14,587 --> 00:29:16,715
- Wow.
And that's what you did.
711
00:29:16,756 --> 00:29:19,300
Congratulations.
712
00:29:19,342 --> 00:29:21,428
- Join us after the break,
713
00:29:21,469 --> 00:29:23,722
when Camila Cabello meets
a woman whose own grief
714
00:29:23,763 --> 00:29:26,266
inspired her to help others.
715
00:29:33,440 --> 00:29:33,648
.
716
00:29:33,690 --> 00:29:34,149
[upbeat music]
717
00:29:36,651 --> 00:29:38,069
- Welcome back.
718
00:29:38,111 --> 00:29:40,530
I've been so touched and amazed
by the stories
719
00:29:40,572 --> 00:29:42,115
I've heard so far.
720
00:29:42,157 --> 00:29:44,242
Stories of women
who go above and beyond
721
00:29:44,284 --> 00:29:45,702
to serve their communities.
722
00:29:45,744 --> 00:29:48,788
That's what L'Oréal Paris
Women of Worth is all about.
723
00:29:48,830 --> 00:29:50,957
[soft music]
724
00:29:50,999 --> 00:29:52,625
I'm joined by Marian.
725
00:29:52,667 --> 00:29:54,336
I'm so sorry for your loss.
726
00:29:54,377 --> 00:29:55,545
- Thank you.
727
00:29:55,587 --> 00:29:58,381
- And if it's not too
triggering for you,
728
00:29:58,423 --> 00:30:01,843
is it okay if I ask
what your son was like?
729
00:30:01,885 --> 00:30:03,803
- Yes.
730
00:30:03,845 --> 00:30:06,806
Chad was just
an incredible child.
731
00:30:06,848 --> 00:30:09,059
It was in--when he was
in high school
732
00:30:09,100 --> 00:30:11,686
that he had shared
with his girlfriend
733
00:30:11,728 --> 00:30:13,021
that he wanted
to take his life.
734
00:30:13,063 --> 00:30:15,982
And at that time,
Chad was the poster child
735
00:30:16,024 --> 00:30:17,942
of success on the outside.
- Wow, wow.
736
00:30:17,984 --> 00:30:18,985
- He was smart.
737
00:30:19,027 --> 00:30:20,612
He had a ton of friends.
738
00:30:20,653 --> 00:30:22,364
And I know if he were here,
he would say,
739
00:30:22,405 --> 00:30:24,491
"Mom, make sure you tell
them I was a Scout."
740
00:30:24,532 --> 00:30:26,242
I think of all the things
he enjoyed the most--
741
00:30:26,284 --> 00:30:27,452
- Yeah.
- Was his time
742
00:30:27,494 --> 00:30:28,661
spent as a Scout.
743
00:30:28,703 --> 00:30:30,997
* *
744
00:30:31,039 --> 00:30:33,625
- He loved his camping.
745
00:30:33,667 --> 00:30:35,168
Didn't he, Larry?
- He did.
746
00:30:35,210 --> 00:30:37,003
Oh, and there's the running.
747
00:30:37,045 --> 00:30:38,838
That's his other love.
748
00:30:38,880 --> 00:30:41,549
Chad was recognized
as one of the top runners
749
00:30:41,591 --> 00:30:43,051
in the United States.
750
00:30:43,093 --> 00:30:44,886
And then he had a knee injury.
751
00:30:44,928 --> 00:30:46,221
And his orthopedist said,
752
00:30:46,262 --> 00:30:48,598
"Chad, your running career
is over."
753
00:30:48,640 --> 00:30:50,934
That was really
the turning point for Chad.
754
00:30:50,975 --> 00:30:52,227
* *
755
00:30:52,268 --> 00:30:54,187
Over the course
of the next six months,
756
00:30:54,229 --> 00:30:57,023
he had tried to kill himself
six different times.
757
00:30:57,065 --> 00:30:58,566
* *
758
00:30:58,608 --> 00:30:59,943
And those six months
759
00:30:59,984 --> 00:31:01,903
I would not wish
on my worst enemy.
760
00:31:01,945 --> 00:31:05,407
And it drives me to do
what I do.
761
00:31:05,448 --> 00:31:08,410
- Marian's daughter, Jess,
and husband Larry
762
00:31:08,451 --> 00:31:10,203
have joined her
in her mission
763
00:31:10,245 --> 00:31:12,330
to educate
and support young people
764
00:31:12,372 --> 00:31:14,124
dealing
with suicidal thoughts,
765
00:31:14,165 --> 00:31:16,584
anxiety, and depression.
766
00:31:16,626 --> 00:31:18,420
- Chad would have been
so proud of you
767
00:31:18,461 --> 00:31:22,382
for driving this organization
from kitchen table
768
00:31:22,424 --> 00:31:27,095
to probably one of the top 5%
nonprofits in the state.
769
00:31:27,137 --> 00:31:30,724
* *
770
00:31:30,765 --> 00:31:33,101
- It has grown through
the years to the point where,
771
00:31:33,143 --> 00:31:37,480
today,
we have about 45 employees.
772
00:31:37,522 --> 00:31:40,066
And we are
in almost every school
773
00:31:40,108 --> 00:31:41,985
in the St. Louis
metropolitan area.
774
00:31:42,027 --> 00:31:44,112
- This is the first year
we're gonna have CHADS
775
00:31:44,154 --> 00:31:46,114
in our entire school.
776
00:31:46,156 --> 00:31:48,825
- Gosh.
- We have students dying daily
777
00:31:48,867 --> 00:31:50,326
of suicide.
778
00:31:50,368 --> 00:31:53,288
She trained our staff
by telling her story
779
00:31:53,329 --> 00:31:56,916
and knew that her mission
was to save lives.
780
00:31:56,958 --> 00:31:59,252
* *
781
00:31:59,294 --> 00:32:01,880
- Yet to see other kids
come through it
782
00:32:01,921 --> 00:32:05,050
and to find that joy again...
783
00:32:05,091 --> 00:32:07,552
it just melts my heart.
784
00:32:07,594 --> 00:32:12,432
- She is pouring her heart
and her pain
785
00:32:12,474 --> 00:32:15,268
into other children,
other students,
786
00:32:15,310 --> 00:32:17,645
other people, other families,
787
00:32:17,687 --> 00:32:20,065
and saying, "I don't want
anyone else to go through
788
00:32:20,106 --> 00:32:21,024
what I've gone through."
789
00:32:21,066 --> 00:32:22,817
She is remarkable.
790
00:32:22,859 --> 00:32:24,819
- Aw, man, the memories.
791
00:32:24,861 --> 00:32:25,987
Look at Chad.
792
00:32:26,029 --> 00:32:28,114
I know he would be proud.
793
00:32:28,156 --> 00:32:30,450
[laughter]
And I know he would...
794
00:32:30,492 --> 00:32:34,788
he'd give me a high five
and say, "You go, Mom.
795
00:32:34,829 --> 00:32:36,164
You got this."
796
00:32:36,206 --> 00:32:37,791
* *
797
00:32:37,832 --> 00:32:42,879
- How does your coalition
help with that awareness?
798
00:32:42,921 --> 00:32:44,756
How do you help these kids?
799
00:32:44,798 --> 00:32:48,635
- So many kids like Chad
are masters of disguise.
800
00:32:48,677 --> 00:32:50,637
They put their mask on,
and they pretend
801
00:32:50,679 --> 00:32:54,599
everything is just fine
when they are so broken inside.
802
00:32:54,641 --> 00:32:57,477
One out of eight children
have depression.
803
00:32:57,519 --> 00:33:01,356
So being able to try
to find those kids like Chad
804
00:33:01,398 --> 00:33:06,820
and to be able to have
that entire classroom know
805
00:33:06,861 --> 00:33:10,490
what to do when their friend
shares that with them.
806
00:33:10,532 --> 00:33:15,078
So just empowering kids
to know what to do is huge
807
00:33:15,120 --> 00:33:17,872
'cause this is something
we don't talk about.
808
00:33:17,914 --> 00:33:21,001
So just fulfilling that dream,
like Chad said,
809
00:33:21,042 --> 00:33:25,630
giving kids the tools
what to say and to teach them
810
00:33:25,672 --> 00:33:27,298
that it's not your fault
811
00:33:27,340 --> 00:33:29,509
and it's nothing
to be ashamed of.
812
00:33:29,551 --> 00:33:32,387
- When you're a kid,
all you wanna do is fit in
813
00:33:32,429 --> 00:33:33,555
and look like you're having
a great time
814
00:33:33,596 --> 00:33:35,015
and look like you're cool...
- Yes, yes.
815
00:33:35,056 --> 00:33:36,474
- And have it
all together.
816
00:33:36,516 --> 00:33:38,184
- Yeah.
-I've spoken a lot about
817
00:33:38,226 --> 00:33:41,021
my mental health in the past
and, you know,
818
00:33:41,062 --> 00:33:43,606
suffering with anxiety
and not anymore,
819
00:33:43,648 --> 00:33:45,775
but when I was young,
it was like--
820
00:33:45,817 --> 00:33:49,154
it felt like it was the thing
that was wrong with me
821
00:33:49,195 --> 00:33:50,280
that I couldn't--
- Yes.
822
00:33:50,321 --> 00:33:51,489
- That I couldn't talk about,
823
00:33:51,531 --> 00:33:53,366
which obviously
only makes it worse.
824
00:33:53,408 --> 00:33:56,327
- Yes, this conversation
825
00:33:56,369 --> 00:33:58,747
at a young age is so critical.
826
00:33:58,788 --> 00:34:00,832
- Thank you so much
for sharing your story with us.
827
00:34:00,874 --> 00:34:03,752
And thank you for the important
work that you're doing.
828
00:34:03,793 --> 00:34:05,170
- Thank you.
829
00:34:05,211 --> 00:34:12,344
* *
830
00:34:12,385 --> 00:34:16,348
- Now I was delighted
to be given the opportunity
831
00:34:16,389 --> 00:34:18,725
to talk to a very special
young woman
832
00:34:18,767 --> 00:34:21,728
who has focused her energy
on encouraging more women
833
00:34:21,770 --> 00:34:23,605
towards STEM careers.
834
00:34:23,646 --> 00:34:25,732
And for those who don't know
what that stands for,
835
00:34:25,774 --> 00:34:29,277
it is science, technology,
engineering, and mathematics.
836
00:34:29,319 --> 00:34:30,737
* *
837
00:34:30,779 --> 00:34:34,407
Pooja, it is so wonderful
to meet you
838
00:34:34,449 --> 00:34:38,411
and to see your beautiful face
there.
839
00:34:38,453 --> 00:34:39,704
- It's such an honor
to meet you, Kate.
840
00:34:39,746 --> 00:34:41,873
And I'm obviously
such a big fan.
841
00:34:41,915 --> 00:34:43,333
- Thank you so much.
842
00:34:43,375 --> 00:34:45,669
How did you come
to be in this place
843
00:34:45,710 --> 00:34:49,589
where you felt so passionate
and so motivated?
844
00:34:49,631 --> 00:34:51,633
- So I started
ProjectCSGIRLS
845
00:34:51,675 --> 00:34:54,761
because of my own experiences
with the tech-gender gap.
846
00:34:54,803 --> 00:34:56,763
I remember
vividly looking around
847
00:34:56,805 --> 00:34:59,224
my computer science class
on my very first day
848
00:34:59,265 --> 00:35:02,310
of high school and realizing
that I was one of three girls
849
00:35:02,352 --> 00:35:04,437
in a class
of over 30 students.
850
00:35:04,479 --> 00:35:06,940
My first reaction was
just a feeling of discomfort
851
00:35:06,981 --> 00:35:08,525
and feeling like
I didn't belong.
852
00:35:08,566 --> 00:35:09,984
- Despite making up
853
00:35:10,026 --> 00:35:12,404
nearly half
of the American workforce,
854
00:35:12,445 --> 00:35:14,781
women are still vastly
underrepresented
855
00:35:14,823 --> 00:35:16,074
in STEM careers.
856
00:35:16,116 --> 00:35:19,953
Science, tech, engineering,
and mathematics.
857
00:35:19,994 --> 00:35:22,455
- When you think about
who a software engineer is,
858
00:35:22,497 --> 00:35:24,124
the images that pop
into your mind
859
00:35:24,165 --> 00:35:26,167
are Mark Zuckerberg,
Bill Gates.
860
00:35:26,209 --> 00:35:28,503
So it's really about us
taking the time
861
00:35:28,545 --> 00:35:31,881
to change that stereotype
to encourage girls
862
00:35:31,923 --> 00:35:33,925
to find female role models.
863
00:35:33,967 --> 00:35:36,177
- To make a change,
Pooja created
864
00:35:36,219 --> 00:35:40,265
an international nonprofit
called ProjectCSGIRLS,
865
00:35:40,306 --> 00:35:43,101
which shows middle-school
girls what they can achieve
866
00:35:43,143 --> 00:35:45,812
if they pursue their interests
in science.
867
00:35:45,854 --> 00:35:47,772
- So you can add people
that you trust.
868
00:35:47,814 --> 00:35:50,233
You can walk in daylight
is the other one.
869
00:35:50,275 --> 00:35:52,318
This program
really encourages girls
870
00:35:52,360 --> 00:35:54,362
to go deeper
into their interests
871
00:35:54,404 --> 00:35:57,407
and see more
of what you can do.
872
00:35:57,449 --> 00:35:59,826
- It's especially important
because it's for girls,
873
00:35:59,868 --> 00:36:02,454
and women and girls
haven't always been
874
00:36:02,495 --> 00:36:05,707
accepted in, like, jobs
where science is involved.
875
00:36:05,749 --> 00:36:10,795
- It's taught me to, like,
not only see problems but also,
876
00:36:10,837 --> 00:36:11,921
like, solutions.
877
00:36:11,963 --> 00:36:13,214
- Can you explain
to us a little bit about
878
00:36:13,256 --> 00:36:14,924
how a satellite phone works?
879
00:36:14,966 --> 00:36:16,176
ProjectCSGIRLS
880
00:36:16,217 --> 00:36:18,178
makes me feel
very, very confident
881
00:36:18,219 --> 00:36:22,057
that girls are gonna contribute
something very awesome
882
00:36:22,098 --> 00:36:23,350
and constructive to society.
883
00:36:23,391 --> 00:36:24,934
The fire's already been lit.
884
00:36:24,976 --> 00:36:27,645
- Girls tend to gravitate
towards careers or projects
885
00:36:27,687 --> 00:36:29,397
where they can
make a difference.
886
00:36:29,439 --> 00:36:31,775
So our goal at ProjectCSGIRLS
is to show them
887
00:36:31,816 --> 00:36:34,027
that technology is
a fantastic way
888
00:36:34,069 --> 00:36:36,488
to accomplish this and
to actually make a difference
889
00:36:36,529 --> 00:36:39,282
in the causes
that you care about.
890
00:36:39,324 --> 00:36:41,201
- Pooja,
your work is so inspiring.
891
00:36:41,242 --> 00:36:43,495
And we are all
so incredibly impressed.
892
00:36:43,536 --> 00:36:45,872
And we need more role models
like you,
893
00:36:45,914 --> 00:36:47,123
especially women of color
894
00:36:47,165 --> 00:36:48,958
and from culturally diverse
background.
895
00:36:49,000 --> 00:36:51,544
So tell us what's next
for ProjectCSGIRLS.
896
00:36:51,586 --> 00:36:54,047
- So for us, it's all about
first expanding
897
00:36:54,089 --> 00:36:55,465
our existing programs.
898
00:36:55,507 --> 00:36:57,676
So adding more workshops
and chapters
899
00:36:57,717 --> 00:36:59,552
and generally increasing
the number of girls
900
00:36:59,594 --> 00:37:01,513
that take part
in our competition.
901
00:37:01,554 --> 00:37:03,264
- I've always said,
"If you speak from the heart,
902
00:37:03,306 --> 00:37:04,557
you can never go wrong."
903
00:37:04,599 --> 00:37:06,393
And you're clearly not
going wrong at all.
904
00:37:06,434 --> 00:37:08,853
Pooja, thank you
so much for taking the time
905
00:37:08,895 --> 00:37:10,397
to talk to us today.
906
00:37:10,438 --> 00:37:13,024
And I hope
that by sharing your story
907
00:37:13,066 --> 00:37:16,486
and highlighting how girls can
be at the heart of STEM,
908
00:37:16,528 --> 00:37:18,446
science, technology,
engineering, and mathematics,
909
00:37:18,488 --> 00:37:21,533
that we can start
to shift the perception
910
00:37:21,574 --> 00:37:24,119
of what women are capable
of in this field
911
00:37:24,160 --> 00:37:25,912
and how much women can achieve
912
00:37:25,954 --> 00:37:28,248
in equal measure
to their male counterparts.
913
00:37:28,289 --> 00:37:29,541
You are an inspiration.
914
00:37:29,582 --> 00:37:31,084
Thank you so much.
915
00:37:31,126 --> 00:37:32,335
- Thank you so much, Kate.
916
00:37:32,377 --> 00:37:33,878
It was such an honor
to be here with you
917
00:37:33,920 --> 00:37:35,505
and to share this space
with you.
918
00:37:35,547 --> 00:37:36,548
[upbeat music]
919
00:37:36,589 --> 00:37:38,299
- Join us after the break,
920
00:37:38,341 --> 00:37:40,093
when Gemma Chan
speaks to a woman
921
00:37:49,644 --> 00:37:49,853
.
922
00:37:49,894 --> 00:37:50,353
[upbeat music]
923
00:37:52,689 --> 00:37:53,815
- Welcome back to Paris
924
00:37:53,857 --> 00:37:56,192
and the final part
of our program.
925
00:37:56,234 --> 00:37:58,278
[soft music]
926
00:37:58,319 --> 00:38:01,197
I'm so delighted to introduce
our next honoree,
927
00:38:01,239 --> 00:38:03,199
a woman whose story
I can relate to
928
00:38:03,241 --> 00:38:05,285
and who I know
will inspire you all.
929
00:38:05,326 --> 00:38:06,661
Welcome, Michelle.
930
00:38:06,703 --> 00:38:08,872
Well, we're here
to talk about your work.
931
00:38:08,913 --> 00:38:11,875
And I know that Asian hate
crimes have been in the news
932
00:38:11,916 --> 00:38:13,209
a lot since the start
of the pandemic.
933
00:38:13,251 --> 00:38:15,754
But it's not something new,
sadly.
934
00:38:15,795 --> 00:38:17,297
- Yes, unfortunately,
935
00:38:17,339 --> 00:38:21,092
with the start
of the COVID-19 pandemic,
936
00:38:21,134 --> 00:38:25,513
it exposed another horrible
pandemic beneath the surface.
937
00:38:25,555 --> 00:38:28,099
- Mm-hmm.
- Pandemic of racism,
938
00:38:28,141 --> 00:38:33,772
xenophobia, and scapegoating
against Asian Americans.
939
00:38:33,813 --> 00:38:36,566
Certain leaders in the country
were blaming China
940
00:38:36,608 --> 00:38:38,568
for starting the virus.
941
00:38:38,610 --> 00:38:41,112
And we started seeing
attacks happen
942
00:38:41,154 --> 00:38:44,366
towards people that looked
like me and my family.
943
00:38:44,407 --> 00:38:45,950
As an Asian American woman,
944
00:38:45,992 --> 00:38:48,912
I experienced fears
about the COVID-19 virus
945
00:38:48,953 --> 00:38:51,039
but fears about a racist,
violent attack.
946
00:38:51,081 --> 00:38:54,834
- In 2020, reported
Asian hate crimes in New York
947
00:38:54,876 --> 00:38:58,546
surged up 833%.
948
00:38:58,588 --> 00:39:01,007
- It was scary because people
that I knew and worked with
949
00:39:01,049 --> 00:39:02,425
started getting hurt.
950
00:39:02,467 --> 00:39:06,930
I became scared to go
about my daily life.
951
00:39:06,971 --> 00:39:09,974
Taking the subway
turned into a nightmare.
952
00:39:12,686 --> 00:39:15,397
- On February 3rd,
I take the subway,
953
00:39:15,438 --> 00:39:18,191
and there's a man
who entered the train,
954
00:39:18,233 --> 00:39:21,611
and he came forward
and slashed over my face
955
00:39:21,653 --> 00:39:26,825
from ear to ear and just walked
away as if nothing happened.
956
00:39:26,866 --> 00:39:29,285
- I started feeling
really sad, of course,
957
00:39:29,327 --> 00:39:32,080
and then angry like,
"Why is this happening to us?
958
00:39:32,122 --> 00:39:33,373
"Why are people doing this?
959
00:39:33,415 --> 00:39:35,709
And why isn't anyone
doing anything about it?"
960
00:39:35,750 --> 00:39:39,129
- My faith began to question
because...
961
00:39:39,170 --> 00:39:40,588
[soft music]
962
00:39:40,630 --> 00:39:43,800
I would die...
963
00:39:43,842 --> 00:39:46,803
Because I was praying...
964
00:39:46,845 --> 00:39:48,805
* *
965
00:39:48,847 --> 00:39:54,185
Because I was praying
to have a peaceful death.
966
00:39:54,227 --> 00:39:56,229
- Fueled by her frustration,
967
00:39:56,271 --> 00:39:58,606
Michelle launched
Soar Over Hate,
968
00:39:58,648 --> 00:40:02,527
a nonprofit dedicated
to combating Asian hate crime
969
00:40:02,569 --> 00:40:04,446
through equipping
the most vulnerable
970
00:40:04,487 --> 00:40:06,448
with self-defense devices,
971
00:40:06,489 --> 00:40:10,035
community support,
and Heal from Hate therapy.
972
00:40:10,076 --> 00:40:12,245
- We had, like,
overwhelming response.
973
00:40:12,287 --> 00:40:14,456
People were so thankful
to receive them.
974
00:40:14,497 --> 00:40:17,167
And people wanted more to give
to their friends and family,
975
00:40:17,208 --> 00:40:19,294
to give to their colleagues
at work.
976
00:40:19,336 --> 00:40:22,130
Ni hao.
- Ni hao.
977
00:40:22,172 --> 00:40:25,133
- This is a personal alarm
for you.
978
00:40:25,175 --> 00:40:26,760
- Okay.
- Okay, if you pull it out...
979
00:40:26,801 --> 00:40:28,261
[alarm blares]
it makes a loud noise
980
00:40:28,303 --> 00:40:31,306
to scare people away,
so you stay safe.
981
00:40:31,348 --> 00:40:33,808
- Okay, thank you.
- [laughs]
982
00:40:33,850 --> 00:40:35,477
- With the rates
of Asian hate crime
983
00:40:35,518 --> 00:40:37,645
still at an all-time high,
984
00:40:37,687 --> 00:40:41,149
Soar Over Hate is needed now
more than ever.
985
00:40:41,191 --> 00:40:42,859
- Thank you so much
for this one.
986
00:40:42,901 --> 00:40:45,737
I feel better with them.
987
00:40:45,779 --> 00:40:48,490
- My ultimate goal is
to demonstrate
988
00:40:48,531 --> 00:40:52,202
to all that love is more
powerful than hate
989
00:40:52,243 --> 00:40:55,955
and that we can overcome
anything if we work together.
990
00:40:55,997 --> 00:40:57,707
[soft music]
991
00:40:57,749 --> 00:40:59,292
- We have had a similar uptick
992
00:40:59,334 --> 00:41:01,461
in those kinds
of crimes in the UK,
993
00:41:01,503 --> 00:41:02,796
and it's really worrying.
994
00:41:02,837 --> 00:41:05,382
And I know, personally,
that I was very worried
995
00:41:05,423 --> 00:41:07,717
for my family members.
996
00:41:07,759 --> 00:41:10,345
You know, my mum actually used
to work in a hospital
997
00:41:10,387 --> 00:41:13,014
like yourself and just really
distressing to see,
998
00:41:13,056 --> 00:41:14,099
especially
the older generation
999
00:41:14,140 --> 00:41:16,226
being vulnerable
and being targeted.
1000
00:41:16,267 --> 00:41:18,687
- Thousands of elderly
would line up in the rain
1001
00:41:18,728 --> 00:41:23,108
just to receive a small alarm,
which is just super telling
1002
00:41:23,149 --> 00:41:26,236
of how big of a deal
this was to them,
1003
00:41:26,277 --> 00:41:29,406
how terrified they were going
about their lives
1004
00:41:29,447 --> 00:41:31,825
and just motivated
Soar over Hate
1005
00:41:31,866 --> 00:41:33,118
to keep on growing.
1006
00:41:33,159 --> 00:41:34,452
- Yeah, that's amazing.
1007
00:41:34,494 --> 00:41:37,330
What has Soar over Hate
done for you personally?
1008
00:41:37,372 --> 00:41:41,167
- This whole experience has
made me very proud to be Asian.
1009
00:41:41,209 --> 00:41:43,962
I feel like I'm prouder
than ever
1010
00:41:44,004 --> 00:41:46,756
of my Chinese, Vietnamese,
American heritage.
1011
00:41:46,798 --> 00:41:49,259
- Mm-hmm.
- And I'm really proud
1012
00:41:49,300 --> 00:41:51,928
of all of the Asians
and non-Asians alike
1013
00:41:51,970 --> 00:41:54,472
who have been speaking up
about racism
1014
00:41:54,514 --> 00:41:56,766
that's been affecting
our community
1015
00:41:56,808 --> 00:41:59,102
but other communities
of color as well.
1016
00:41:59,144 --> 00:42:00,562
- Thank you.
You put that so beautifully.
1017
00:42:00,603 --> 00:42:02,439
And I completely agree,
it's all about building
1018
00:42:02,480 --> 00:42:04,315
that cross-community
solidarity.
1019
00:42:04,357 --> 00:42:06,943
And that's how we'll be able
to move forward together.
1020
00:42:06,985 --> 00:42:08,987
So thank you so much, Michelle.
- Thank you.
1021
00:42:09,029 --> 00:42:10,363
- Thanks for talking to me.
- Thank you.
1022
00:42:10,405 --> 00:42:11,406
- Thank you.
1023
00:42:11,448 --> 00:42:14,034
[upbeat music]
1024
00:42:14,075 --> 00:42:16,870
- I want to thank
my friends Camila, Katherine,
1025
00:42:16,911 --> 00:42:20,582
Gemma, Kate, Eva,
Andie, and Aja
1026
00:42:20,623 --> 00:42:24,127
for being a part of celebrating
these incredible women.
1027
00:42:24,169 --> 00:42:27,756
I know they will all join me
in thanking the real stars
1028
00:42:27,797 --> 00:42:29,090
of tonight's show,
1029
00:42:29,132 --> 00:42:32,802
our incredible and inspiring
honorees.
1030
00:42:32,844 --> 00:42:34,721
You always give back,
1031
00:42:34,763 --> 00:42:37,307
and you never, ever give up.
1032
00:42:37,349 --> 00:42:39,351
And that gives us all strength.
1033
00:42:39,392 --> 00:42:41,353
* *