Media Contacts:

VP of Communications:

VP of Public Relations:

Alisso Zito
213.382.9163
alissa@suwn.org

Brynn Bresnahan
732.284.1144.
bresnaba@dukes.jmu.edu
Step Up: Inspiring Women to Inspire Girls

LOS ANGELES- Nov. 11, 2015- In 1998 Kaye Popofsky Kramer, founder of Step Up
Womens Network, was inspired to make a positive impact on her community. When her mother
was diagnosed with breast cancer, it changed her perspective on life. The experience gave her a
dream, a vision, and the determination to make a difference. Kramer congregated a group of 30
of her women colleagues, and together they developed the idea of a philanthropic network. The
idea of Step Up was created- little did they know the impact it would make. Today, Step Up has
over 130,000 supporters and has become one of the most prominent womens networks
nationwide.

Step Up reaches out to urban high school students between the ages 13-18 years old. The
girls are often living through hardships like abuse, poverty, homelessness, and tough family
situations. The organizations mission is to provide their teens resources which allow them
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to reach their dreams and full potential. Almost 50 percent of the Step Up girls classmates will
not graduate high school. The national urban high school graduation rate is 57 percent. With the
opportunities they are given, Step Up girls are motivated to succeed and become college
educated, career oriented women. For six straight years, 100 percent of Step Up teens have
graduated high school and have been accepted to college. Located in Los Angeles, New York,
and Chicago, 800 girls are enrolled in the Step Up programs each year. With the organizations
plans to add locations in Dallas and Atlanta by 2017, Step Up is only spreading its impact
throughout the country.
After school programs play a big part in the success of the womens network. These
programs do not only focus on improving academic skills, but aid in building confidence and
propelling the girls to pursue their goals. Each session is led by a Step Up instructor that
conducts the program, ensuring it follows the curriculum of the national organization. Step Up
travels to the partner high schools once or twice a week for two hours sessions. Enrolling in the
programs is open to all girls attending the partner high schools. The layout of the sessions are
concentrated on helping Step Up teens create a step by step strategy for them to follow and
become the professional women they aspire to be. Certain skills the girls acquire through the
after school programs are learning the college application process, how to work in teams, selfexpression, organizational skills, and many more. The consistent encouragement from the
mentors changes the lives of the girls. Mentorship gives them a genuine feeling of support to
succeed and fulfill their potential, which many dont have the privilege of having in their home
situations.
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Step Up mentors transform into role models, and while building a relationship they make a clear
and powerful impact upon the girls.
Step Up holds various events and charity fundraisers each year to inspire women and
raise contributions toward the organization. Power breakfasts, salons, and panel discussions
bring philanthropic women together, aim to inspire women, and expand membership.
Professional women nationwide attend and use the opportunities to share their ideas and connect
with other members. Step Ups annual fundraisers consist of the Inspiration Awards, Shine and
Dine, and Power Hour. Hundreds of guests attend these philanthropic events, and honor the
women apart of the organization who inspire the Step Up teens. Celebrities like Elizabeth Banks,
Lea Michele, and Julie Bowen are prominent supporters of the womens network and all attended
the 2015 Inspiration Awards.
At the 12th annual Inspiration Awards this past June, Step Up welcomed more than 900
guests and raised over 400,000 dollars for organization. This red carpet luncheon alone raised 55
percent of the funds Step Up needs to serve its Los Angeles community for one year. The
fundraiser Power Hour also receives large contributions in funding, raising almost 40 percent of
the needed finances for the Step up NYC location. Power Hour connects inspiring industryleaders who are committed to impacting the community with our network of ambitious teen
girls, Step Up CEO Jenni Luke said. By sharing their time and talents at Power Hour, these
mentors not only impact our guests, but also the girls who rely on our mentorship programs
during their high school years. 1 These events play a huge role in making Step Ups
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1 Step Up to Honor Maureen Sullivan at Fourth Annual Power Hour. (n.d.).

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accomplishments possible by allowing them to enhance the organization and its programs.
Kramers dream has not only come true, but has allowed thousands of other womens dreams to
come true as well. A single vision has transformed into a vast and remarkable network, with each
member sharing the same incredible desire to step up and make a difference. Girls who felt like
they had no purpose, now have focus and a career path to follow. Girls who were lost now have
role models and goals they know they can achieve. There are so many appreciable aspects about
Step Up, but the message the organization sends is most important. Every girl is known and
valued, and deserves a chance to follow their dreams. With the help from Step Up, these girls
will lead the next generation of professional women.
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Bowen, Inspiration Awards presenter, and Step Up

teen honorees celebrating membership at
Inspiration Awards.

About Step Up
Step Up Womens Network is a nationally known nonprofit organization that is devoted to
improving the lives and futures of underprivileged teenage girls. Professional and influential
women engage in mentorship programs that help Step Up teens become focused on furthering
their education and reaching their potential. The organization helps girls transition into women
with bright futures.
Works Cited

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Step Up to Honor Maureen Sullivan at Fourth Annual Power Hour. (n.d.). Retrieved
November 18, 2015, from http://www.suwn.org/where-youve-seen-us/newsroom/218-step-up-tohonor-maureen-sullivan-at-fourth-annual-power-hour