Christen is a feminist, an activist, a self-defense instructor, and co-founder of She’s the First, a non-profit that fights gender inequality through education.

She’s the First began as a grassroots movement in 2009, and has since grown into a worldwide movement with programs in 21 countries. STF partners with local organizations to support programming for girls, including training and grants for capacity building; the organization also trains students on more than 200 high schools and universities in 10 countries to be gender activists.

Christen has spearheaded change by leading focus groups on uncovering reasons for high drop-out rates in West Africa, creating a framework for understanding community priorities in rural Nepal, and consulting on pregnancy policies in Uganda. Above all else, Christen works to ensure that girls’ voices are heard first.

In this episode, we talk about how to find your change-making sweet spot and direction, the power of providing education, examining privilege and using it for good, misconceptions around how to make an impact (I learned a new word: voluntourism!) and so much more.

SHOW NOTES:
She’s The First
STF on Instagram
Christen’s website
@cjbrandt on Instagram
@cjbrandt on Twitter
@nowhitesaviors on Instagram
The Center for Anti-Violence Education

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