Meet the Team
%20-%20Gratia%20O'Rafferty_edited.jpg)
Gratia O'Rafferty
Co-President
Year: Junior
Major: Public Affairs
Minor: Education Studies
Hobbies: My favorite things to do in LA are go to the beach and swim in the ocean and explore new cafes!
​
Why I Joined STF: Entering college I knew I wanted to find a club that complimented my interest in education and found STF to be a perfect fit for me because it pushes for equity and access on a global scale, which I had never had the opportunity to do before. I stayed because the community that STF builds fills my Tuesday evenings with so many meaningful conversations, friendships, and fun activities. I truly cannot imagine what my college experience would have looked like if I didn't have the opportunity to work towards something I'm so passionate about with so many lovely people.
What Feminism / Educational Equity Mean to Me: I think educational equity is about providing equal access to quality education for all people, regardless of demographic or other factors. Education is incredibly important in the context of feminism because it can help empower women in many aspects, including financial independence and political power. Feminism isn’t just about equality for women, but for people of all gender identities so that everyone has equal access to resources and opportunities.
Marina Cuevas
Co-President
Year: Senior
Major: English
Hobby: In my free time I love to read. Fun fact, Percy Jackson is my favorite nostalgic book series!
​
Why I Joined STF: I joined STF during my second year after I came across their booth at EAF. I was inspired by their mission to fundraise for girls education and empower women. After my first meeting, it was clear that I not only found a club with a goal that I aligned with but also a community of inspiring women that have helped create a safe space on campus. I am so fortunate to have found STF my first year here.
What Feminism / Educational Equity Mean to Me: To me, feminism means growth. When I was younger, I did not have much exposure to feminism and what that might mean for a young girl. I was embarrassed to like the things I liked. To be girly. To be any ounce different from those around me. When I started to learn about feminism, it made me realize there was a place for me. A place to grow, a place to hold myself accountable, but more importantly, a place to be educated. Feminism is more than fighting for gender equality. It’s a safe space for not only women but anyone else who needs it.
Isabella Crone-Baron
Event Coordinator
Year: Junior
Major: Public Affairs/History
Hobbies: I love all things outdoor activities!! Hiking and backpacking are my favorite ways to spend a weekend!
​
Why I Joined STF: Coming into college I knew I wanted to find an organization that would continue on the feminist work I was so passionate about in high-school, and I loved what STF advocated for in terms of access to education for young women! Not only was STF's work something I was so interested in but it also offered such a warm, welcoming and uplifting environment for young women here too and it has become a community I value so much here at UCLA!
What Feminism / Educational Equity Mean to Me: Feminism to me means dismantling current systems of patriarchy and misogyny, and ensuring equitable access to all opportunities. Educational equity to me means breaking down current barriers in access to education across the globe, dismantling current systemic biases within our education system, and working to create learning environments in which everyone can thrive!
​
​
​
Fanny Berger
Event Coordinator
Year: Senior
Major: Political Science (Concentration in International Relations)
Minors: Anthropology and Environmental Systems & Society
Hobbies: I absolutely love cooking for others - if I could, I would just constantly have people over for dinner to make them incredibly challenging meals that I would most probably burn... but I would be living my fantasy nonetheless!! In la cuisine, I like to think of myself to be somewhere between Willy Wonka, Ratatouille, and Jeremey Allen White in "The Bear" - creative, delusional, yet SERIOUS.
Why I Joined STF: I joined STF primarily to help contribute to gender equity and the fight for educational rights across the globe. Being part of an organization that creates tangible change in advocating for and supporting girls' rights is extremely important to me. Once I joined, I was introduced to the warmest, most lovely people, which was just the cherry on top of everything this wonderful organization does. STF is a great organization that supports a great cause with the help of great people!
What Feminism / Educational Equity Mean to Me: To me, feminism and educational equity are all about intersectionality. To be a feminist and support educational equity means that one is willing to analyze the many interconnected factors that lead to inequality in order to fight for greater change.
Eileen Seo
Internal / External Affairs Officer
Year: Senior
Major: Political Science
Minor: Art History
Hobby: Painting my nails at home (though i’m not great at it), grabbing dessert with friends, thrifting, going to the theaters!
​
Why I Joined STF: I remember seeing STF’s table during EAF and the cause just really stood out to me! Advocating for women’s education is something that i find to be super pertinent, now more than ever, and it’s so comforting to know that there’s a community of women on campus that are just as passionate about this as I am <3
What Feminism / Educational Equity Mean to Me: As someone who has the absolute privilege to be able to go to school and receive a degree, educational equity is something that I believe should not just be a distant dream, but a reality for everyone. In turn, I think spreading awareness of the lack of equal opportunities that so many people, including young girls, face is one small thing I can do to try to restructure the systems responsible for such inequality.
Ann Luce
Internal / External Affairs Officer
Year: Junior
Major: Communications
Minor: Society & Genetics
Fun Fact: I've been vegan for 5 years!
​
Why I Joined STF: I wanted a safe space at UCLA to learn and grow with other like-minded, kind women. STF has been a place for mentorship, encouragement and friendship, and our mission is close to my heart.
​
What Feminism / Educational Equity Mean to Me: Educational equity is when every girl and person who wants to be educated has access to an uplifting educational environment that is free, quality and boundless.
Pilar Reynoso
Social Media Officer
Year: Junior
Major: English
Minor: Public Affairs
My Favorites: Iced chai latte with oatmilk, Normal Girl by SZA, and Alice in Wonderland (both Disney's animation and Tim Burton's adaptation)
Why I Joined STF: During my second year I decided to finally branch out on my own and find a club I connected with and would stick to. I am very grateful to have come across STF at that time. The girls were incredibly welcoming, full of enthusiasm, and so caring towards one another and anyone they shared space with. This club strikes the perfect balance between philanthropy, community, and female empowerment. I'm beyond thrilled for the upcoming year, anticipating more involvement and the chance to connect with new members!
Madison Carpenter
Social Media Officer
Year: Junior
Major: Cognitive Science
Favorite Class: History 2C: Religion & The Occult...Witches in Western Tradition
​
Why I Joined STF: In my second year at UCLA, I craved a sense of belonging on campus, and that's when I stumbled upon STF. I was nervous attending the first meeting, but I felt invited and welcomed into a community of like-minded women. So far, it has been a great experience working alongside women who are equally as passionate about global education, and I have had the most fun working during Bruinwalk fundraisers.
Marley Leonard
Advocacy Officer
Year: Junior
Major: Public Affairs
Minors: Philosophy
Fun Fact: Through a UCLA program, I had an internship abroad in Prague last summer and got to explore a lot of central Europe and some western Europe. I also got to visit our lovely president Gratia in Dublin, Ireland while she also did an internship abroad!
Why I Joined STF: I hadn’t found a community on campus yet, and loved She’s The First’s message! I stayed because the people were so kind, smart, and passionate about so many things! I always have so much fun talking with other members during our socials and the meetings are always different and substantive. I really like that I can learn about something new and become more informed in our meetings.
​
What Feminism / Educational Equity Mean to Me: To me, I think feminism is partly being aware that I have many privileges that the majority of other women around the world do not have, and therefore I must do my part to try to push the needle forward for others. Everyone deserves to be able to be in a place where they can comfortably learn and feel like their words are not drowned out or pushed down. In practice, I think being a feminist means speaking out in places where you feel uncomfortable as a woman or if others are making harmful remarks based on gender. Sharing how I feel about a comment, if I’m comfortable in that situation, may help others understand why saying something is harmful and perpetuating gender stereotypes, and more importantly they might choose not to say that anymore.
Delaney Leavitt
Secretary
Year: Junior
Major: Art History
Minor: Information & Media Literacy
Hobbies: One of my favorite things to do is go for long walks, especially exploring different areas of the city.
Why I Joined STF: She's the First was one of the first clubs I went to my freshman year and it was such a welcoming and positive environment. After learning more about the mission of the club, I knew I wanted to be even more involved in fundraising. Education is something that is super important to me and also something that I feel incredibly lucky to pursue, so I want to contribute to making that goal possible for others.
​
What Feminism / Educational Equity Mean to Me: Feminism, for me, is the aim to give everyone an equal and fair choice on how they choose to live their life. Educational Equity is necessary for this cause, because education is often a boundary to choice which many people throughout the world do not have access to.