Hundreds of applications came in to attend the next Girlboss Rally in NYC, all telling incredible stories of perseverance and ambition. Check out the recipients who’ll be joining us next month.
Ahead of the Girlboss Rally going down in New York City on November 11, we recently opened up applications for the Girlboss Rally Game-Changer Scholarship. Scholarships are awarded on a basis of financial need, as well as how much value we believed entrants would get out of this experience.
It seems almost needless to say at this point, but we’ll say it anyway: Y’all are incredible. We received applications filled with remarkable stories of overcoming hardship, coupled with big plans to join us in carving out our own definitions of “success.”
Below, meet our first class of Girlboss Rally Game-Changers who’ll be rubbing elbows with their fellow game-changers and soaking up the inspirational vibes at NYC’s rally.
Their passions and plans span science and health, mental illness and recovery activism, entrepreneurship, media, community organizing, fashion, and much more. The future looks bright.
Oh, and ICYMI: We just introduced a special 2-for-1 ticket deal that gets you $200 off. There’s a limited number of these available, so grab a friend quick-like and join these incredible ladies (and so many others) at the second-ever Girlboss Rally.
Name: Farnoush Amiri
Age: 24
Location: New York City. Moved from California a month ago!
Quote to live by: “Remember that sometimes not getting what you want is a wonderful stroke of luck.” — Dalai Lama
Big dream of career domination: To be one of the few Iranian-American women who write and produce important journalistic work for a major news outlet, covering stories that matter and shining a light on those left in the darkness.
Who you’re most excited about seeing at the Rally: Elaine Welteroth, Sophia Amoruso and Neha Gandhi.
Name: Friday Lynton
Age: 26 years young
Location:Brooklyn, NY
Quote to live by: “Sanitize before you socialize.” — Me (lol)
Big dream of career domination: To be the biggest creative female entrepreneur of my generation, and to turn my business babies into multi-million dollar companies (FRIDAY BY FRIDAY + Fashion With Friday) while giving back through my community service collective, Friends Who Volunteer.
Who and what you are most excited to see and do at the Rally: I’m excited to meet like-minded girls that I can share good and bad entrepreneur stories with. Meeting Lady Sophia, Elaine Welteroth, and more. Having images and stories to show-and-tell to the 25 young girls of my Fashion With Friday program, and to inspire them to one day become girlbosses. Also, picking a cute FBF look to wear!
Name: Mercedes S. Viera
Age: 20
Location: Puerto Rico
Quote to live by: “Nevertheless, she persisted” and “Be the change you wish to see in the world.”
Big dream of career domination: Grow Femme Now into a multimedia platform just like Girlboss. Also, maybe write a few TV shows and work for Teen Vogue.
Who you’re most excited to see at the Rally: Other than Sophia and the Girlboss team, I am also excited to see Elaine Welteroth, Whitney Wolfe and Linda Wells.
Name: Mary Scott Valentine (Mary Scott is my first name and what I go by).
Age: 25
Location: Williston, SC
Quote to live by: “I am not lucky. You know what I am? I am smart, I am talented, I take advantage of the opportunities that come my way, and I work really, really hard. Don’t call me lucky. Call me a badass.” — Shonda Rhimes in Year of Yes
Big dream of career domination: I dream of being a compassionate yet intentional and fearless leader who uses my voice to fight for justice and equality, encourage positive change, and inspire other women to do the same.
Who you’re most excited to see at the Rally: I can’t wait to be surrounded by a group of other badass women who have similar hopes, dreams, aspirations, goals and values as mine in order to network, seek wisdom and gain motivation.
Name: Nikki Casey
Age: 30
Location: Derry, New Hampshire
Quote to live by: “Rejection is protection and redirection.”
Big dream of career domination: To be a leading activist and business woman.
Who and what you’re most excited to see and do at the Rally: To inspire women to get involved with issues that affect them. I am most excited to see Sophia Amoruso and Lizzie Velasquez.
Name: Dana Fletcher
Age: 25
Location: West Palm Beach, FL
Quote to live by: “Embrace your unknown.”
Big dream of career domination: Besides publishing a book of essays and poems discussing my struggles with bipolar disorder, I intend to create a national peer support group where people who would otherwise be secretive about their mental health struggles can find community.
What you’re most excited to do at the Rally: I’m most excited for the panels of amazing speakers and the opportunity to meet passionate women who, like me, are working tirelessly to blaze their own trails.
Name: Madison Worden
Age: 19
Location: Syracuse, NY
Quote to live by: “Raise a little hell” — Paul Newman
Big dream of career domination: To be CEO of a biomedical tech company.
Who you’re most excited to see at the Rally: I am most excited to see Beth Comstock.
Name: Ellyce Ferguson
Age: 23
Location: Washington, DC
Quote to live by: “Life is God’s gift to us. What we do with it is our gift to God.”
Big dream of career domination: To reach my full potential as a multi-media journalist, bringing untold stories to the light, and empowering women starting various non-profits.
What you’re most excited to do at the Rally: I thrive best in environments with like-minded individuals who are innovative go getters. So I’m excited for the inspiration and to collaborate with other women in an environment that will breed success. I’m excited be in a room with women who are going to change the world.
Name: Emma Ahlert
Age: 21
Location: I’m originally from Chicago, IL but I attend school in Indianapolis, IN.
Quote(s) to live by: “Please never stop believing that fighting for what’s right is worth it.” — Hillary Clinton
“I am no bird; and no net ensnares me: I am a free human being with an independent will.” — Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë
Big dream of career domination: I’m currently a junior at Butler University with a double major in Arts Administration and International Studies. Someday, I hope to work at an arts organization where I can foster creativity, facilitate self-expression, and spark healthy dialogue about social change and empathy in my community (wherever that happens to be).
What you’re most excited to do at the Rally: I’m excited to travel to New York City and surround myself with strong, passionate women. I can not wait to hear successful female entrepreneurs—especially Sophia Amoruso—speak about their personal journeys so that I can reflect on and implement the lessons I learn. I look forward to networking with fellow attendees, and critically thinking about what success means to me.
Name: Jovahana Avila
Age: 20
Location: Austin, TX
Quote to live by: I believe passion is the key to success, because enthusiasm stems from passion—let your passion drive you to take risks, aim big, fail, and then try again.
“At the end of the day, we can endure much more than we think we can.” – Frida Kahlo
Big dream of career domination: I want to devote myself to a career in public service and truly becoming a stakeholder in my community. Somewhere in that process, I hope to be a part of the President’s cabinet.
Who you’re most excited to see at the Rally: I am most excited about Alyssa Mastromanco, because I am interested in getting some insight on her experiences, interactions, and challenges working o utside of government and in private entities.
