When I first started with SWSG, I didn't quite know what to expect. I was a bit intimidated by the talented, smart, and well rounded mentors I was placed with. However, these same women wound up becoming my safety net, teaching me how to become more comfortable with myself and my skills as a mentor. The support didn't stop with the mentors though. I've received countless encouraging e-mails from members of both the Boston and National offices. I've been given constructive feedback to better serve the girls. I've been told that I'm making a difference in the lives of students in Boston. What an awesome feeling! In the year since I first joined SWSG, I have grown dramatically. I attribute this growth not only to the women I've met, but also the girls. I was able to mentor at two dramatically different sites, both of which gave me insight to the challenges faced by the youth of Boston. The girls needed different things from me, and I was able to learn to meet their needs. Additionally, I was invited to mentor at the first ever SWSG Summer Site, working with girls at a Community Health Center in Cambridge, MA. Here, I was given the opportunity to mentor with women from Simmons College and Harvard University. I had the opportunity to learn more about the different chapters of SWSG and the ways we can unite to strengthen the organization even more. As if this weren't enough, I was elected to the Execuitive Board at Northeastern University in January 2009. In this position, I serve as the Co-Chair of the Events Committee, planning all of the events for our mentors. SWSG has been, and will continue to be, an enormous part of my life. I appreciate all of the support I receive from my co-mentors, the Boston and National Offices, and the supporters of the organization. Being a mentor has certainly shaped my college experience, and I am proud to say that I feel comfortable with my status as a 'strong woman.'