| Upcoming Events |
National Headquarters
National Be Your Best Self Week
Monday, April 22 - Friday, April 26 Nationwide Find out more...State Programs
Distinguished Young Women of Nevada
April 6
Las Vegas, NV
WebsiteDistinguished Young Women of New Hampshire April 7
Manchester, NH
WebsiteFacebookDistinguished Young Women of New Jersey April 7
Secaucus, NJ
WebsiteDistinguished Young Women of South Dakota April 14
Sioux Falls, SD
Website
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| Donate |
Whether you are able to contribute financially, provide in-kind services or help us secure a new sponsor, we appreciate your efforts to support Distinguished Young Women. Donate TODAY! |
| Countdown to National Finals |
91 days left until the 56th Distinguished Young Women National Finals! June 27, 28 and 29, 2013 in Mobile, Alabama.
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| About Us | The mission of Distinguished Young Women is to positively impact the lives of young women by providing a transformative experience that promotes and rewards scholarship, leadership and talent.
Distinguished Young Women
National Headquarters
751 Government Street
Mobile, AL 36602
(251) 438-3621
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Change a Life. Give Today. Win Prizes!
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Throughout every corner of America. In all 50 states. In small towns and large metropolitan areas. There are distinguished young women. Young women who want to be something greater. Who want to fulfill their dreams and be the best they can be.  | | Christina Maxwell, Distinguished Young Woman of America for 2012 |
"We each grew up in a world where we were often measured against the world's standards and made to think that we didn't, and never will, measure up. And at a pivotal time in our lives, Distinguished Young Women affirmed that who we are is enough. It celebrated and uplifted us, not for our outward beauty, financial wealth or competitive drive, but for who we truly are and for what we contribute to this world. There are few programs that do that." Distinguished Young Women is far more than just a worthy cause. It is the opportunity to be associated with a trending positive message that resonates more than ever among young women of high school age. It is the opportunity to reach every corner of the nation, standing apart from the crowd by saying, "You can" instead of, "You can't." This year, in honor of our 56th anniversary, we are setting out to raise $56,000 through our annual campaign. Funds raised through this campaign will go to providing scholarship opportunities to deserving young women and expanding the scope of resources provided to all state and local programs across the country.
Take a minute to reflect on the impact Distinguished Young Women has made on the lives of more than 730,000 young women over the past 56 years. Perhaps it gave them self-confidence, speaking or interviewing skills, scholarships that furthered their education, or a new sense of purpose and inspiration...perhaps you were one of those young women. We invite you to make a donation today to continue this legacy of success and allow us to reach more young women than ever before. All donors at any level will be entered to win prize packages between now and the 56th annual National Finals in June. Drawings will take place in April, May, and June and prizes will include merchandise, free tickets to National Finals, and other fantastic surprises. In addition, all individual donors will be listed in the 2013 National Finals Program Book and on the Distinguished Young Women website. Please remember to check with your company about matching gift donations. Join us today in celebrating our 56th year and supporting our mission to positively impact the lives of young women! Click the link below to donate today! Are you a past participant of the program? If so, click the link below to make your donation. |
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Make plans now to participate in National Be Your Best Self Week
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 For the fifth year, Distinguished Young Women has set aside one week to encourage ALL program participants to reach out into their communities and spread the positive message of the Be Your Best Self program. The dates for this year's National Be Your Best Self Week are April 22-26 and we are planning for a record breaking week-long outreach event.
Wondering how you can be involved in National Be Your Best Self Week? Here are a few ideas:
- Program participants - Make a presentation to a group of children in your community. Click here for an informational handbook on planning and preparing for National BYBS Week. A scholarship opportunity is available just for you through your participation in National BYBS Week!
- Download and print the official Be Your Best Self poster and deliver it to schools or groups in your community (elementary schools, Boys & Girls Clubs, YMCA, Girl Scouts, etc.).
- Help us spread the word about National Be Your Best Self Week and the Be Your Best Self program by posting on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and other social networks. Use the hashtag #BeYourBestSelfWeek.
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| Volunteers Make it Happen! |
 Name:Lisa Burnette
Program:Distinguished Young Women of GeorgiaCurrent Volunteer Role: At-Large Coordinator and Communications Director
How long have you served in a volunteer role with Distinguished Young Women?
Like MANY of the volunteers here in Georgia, I began volunteering with Distinguished Young Women because of Mr. Rick French. He contacted me while I was a senior at Oglethorpe University about judging the Cobb County Junior Miss Program; I think that was in 1990.
When/how did you get "hooked" on Distinguished Young Women?
I was the 1987 Shelby County Junior Miss and it truly changed my life. The experience gave me a confidence I never had going to a small high school where I was labeled "the nerd." I learned to embrace my "nerdiness" and found 51 other girls who had the same goals and ambitions! That was just the beginning--after being selected as the 1st Alternate to Alabama's Junior Miss, I received a full scholarship to Oglethorpe and after graduation, I returned to Birmingham to work and volunteer for my local program. A few years later, I moved to Idaho and was unbelievably homesick and was blessed to find the West Boise Junior Miss Volunteer Committee. That local program and the state program took me in and were truly my family during my time out West. As much as I value the scholarship money and opportunities that made my college education completely free, the friendship and love that I received in Idaho are even more the reason I continue to volunteer with this program!
What is your "day job?"
I always say I'm a full-time volunteer! In addition to being a homemaker and my Distinguished Young Women activities, I serve as bookkeeper for Christ Lutheran Church; am the financial secretary for Mount Calvary Lutheran Church; serve on the Board of the Robins Air Force Base Officers' Spouses' Club and publish their monthly newsletter; am the Treasurer of the Veterans High School Choral Booster Club; and am the Facebook administrator for Veterans High School, the Choral Boosters, The Touchdown Club, Cheerleader Boosters, and combined Fine Arts Program. I also have a VERY SMALL (but larger than I'd like) tax practice--tax season and the local program season in Georgia overlap, and you KNOW which one I enjoy more!
What is your favorite aspect of the Distinguished Young Women program?
Women supporting women and encouraging them to achievement.
What has been your most rewarding moment as a volunteer for Distinguished Young Women?
Last summer, during our state program, I had a talk with my daughter (she was about to enter her freshman year of high school). I told her that I hoped she knew that if she decided not to participate in Distinguished Young Women, her daddy and I would not be disappointed. I never want her to feel pressured to participate, just because I did or because we work with the program. She looked at me and said, "But if I never participate, I can't be a Has-Been with you, Abbey (Hufstetler, Georgia's Junior Miss 2009), Bliss (McMichael, Georgia's Junior Miss 2007) and Ms. Heather (Rocker, Executive Director)!!" Just typing that brings tears to my eyes!
Across the country, more than 17,000 volunteers make it possible for Distinguished Young Women programs to take place at the local, state and national level. Each month, we will feature one of our outstanding volunteers to give a closer look at the individuals who work tirelessly to ensure our mission is carried out nationwide. Interested in becoming a Distinguished Young Women volunteer in your community, click here to locate a program near you.
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