The next youth perspective starts here.
Our featured article space will highlight a student writer with a clear argument, researched evidence, and a point of view worth hearing.
Why should girls wait tolead the room?
HerPathUSA gives youth the support, resources, and platform to spearhead unique projects from the ground up.
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countries
a growing network of youth leaders across the world
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people reached
across programs, digital outreach, events, and volunteer-led work
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chapters
chapters led by youth, for youth
Why the work matters
Opportunity gaps are not solved by telling girls to wait.
They are solved by building earlier, structured pathways into leadership practice.
About HerPathUSA
Where ambition begins
HerPathUSA was founded on the belief that youth should have the space, support, and resources they deserve to carve their own paths. Founded in 2025, HerPathUSA connects over 500,000 ambitious youth across the world to opportunities to create, lead, and turn their ideas into meaningful programs. Rather than asking young people to wait for permission to make an impact, we work to give them the infrastructure to begin now. We are proud to continuously improve and expand the support available through HerPathUSA, helping more young people build the confidence, experience, and community they need to shape what comes next, one path after another.
Opportunity gaps are not solved by telling girls to wait.
They are solved by building earlier, structured pathways into leadership practice.
HerPathUSA gives every young person a stage to share their ideas and carve their path.
That room might be a school panel, a chapter meeting, a community project, a digital interview, a workshop, or a global youth conversation. Girls learn leadership by doing leadership.
At 15, she began a school strike for climate that grew into Fridays for Future, a youth-led global climate movement.
Greta Thunberg
Source: Fridays for Future and Wikimedia Commons
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At 15, she was named TIME’s first Kid of the Year for inventing, teaching innovation workshops, and using technology to address real problems.
Gitanjali Rao
Source: TIME and Wikimedia Commons
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Known as Little Miss Flint, she started advocating for clean water as a child and used public attention to support families in her community.
Mari Copeny
Source: Catt Center, Teen Vogue, and Wikimedia Commons
Where ambition begins
HerPathUSA was founded on the belief that youth should have the space, support, and resources they deserve to carve their own paths. Founded in 2025, HerPathUSA connects over 500,000 ambitious youth across the world to opportunities to create, lead, and turn their ideas into meaningful programs. Rather than asking young people to wait for permission to make an impact, we work to give them the infrastructure to begin now. We are proud to continuously improve and expand the support available through HerPathUSA, helping more young people build the confidence, experience, and community they need to shape what comes next, one path after another.
Our programs
Learn from the best programs.
Explore youth-built programs designed to move ideas into action-from publishing a point of view to building across communities.
HerPathUSA Project 01 · Policy and public voice
Apply to the fellowship →
Policy Op-Ed Fellowship
Young writers turn issues they care about into clear, evidence-based policy commentary. Fellows research a real problem, strengthen their argument through guided editing, and prepare an op-ed for publication.
01Research with purposeChoose a policy issue and build a credible evidence base.
02Develop a point of viewWork through drafting and feedback until the argument is sharp.
03Publish your voiceBring youth perspectives into the public conversation.
HerPathUSA Project 02 · Global collaboration
Apply to HerPathGLOBAL →
HerPathGLOBAL
Girls from across the world work together to identify a challenge affecting their communities, compare local perspectives, develop a practical solution, and implement an original impact project.
01Connect across citiesYouth leaders compare local experiences and community needs.
02Choose a shared challengeThe team develops one goal that matters across communities.
03Build locally, togetherVolunteers carry out one connected project through a global plan.
HerPathUSA Project 03 · HerPathUSA × 8by8
Apply to the initiative →
Girls in Civic Leadership Initiative
A four-to-six-week civic leadership initiative created with 8by8, with a focus on helping AAPI girls strengthen their public voice, understand civic participation, and turn community concerns into action.
01Learn civic leadershipExplore how public decisions are made and where youth can lead.
02Build public voicePractice speaking, storytelling, moderation, and advocacy.
03Create community impactApply the skills through a youth-led civic project.
Build a project.
HerPathUSA lets volunteers pitch programs directly to state leadership teams. With their support, projects can gain recognition, funding opportunities, and access to HerPathUSA's wider volunteer network. Here's how it works:
01
Get involved
Volunteer with HerPathUSA and participate in at least one existing project so you understand how programs operate across the organization.
02
Build your proposal
Create a detailed program outline and prepare a presentation explaining your idea, its goals, how it will work, and what support it will need.
03
Pitch your program
Present your program at HerPathUSA's monthly program pitch meeting and gain support from interested state leadership teams.
04
Prepare for expansion
Work with the state leadership teams that supported your program to bring the project to their states, completing the materials and systems needed for implementation.
05
Launch across the network
Implement the project successfully across HerPathUSA's network, working with participating state teams and volunteers to grow its reach and impact.
Our network
Proudly worked with
Partnership inquiries herpathusa@gmail.com
courage2share
Lake County STEM Gateway
PinoyPals
The Her Initiative
Girls Against Rape
courage2share
Lake County STEM Gateway
PinoyPals
The Her Initiative
Girls Against Rape
The Aurelia Project
Orbit Magazine
Youth Writes the Future
LWEEC
The Aurelia Project
Orbit Magazine
Youth Writes the Future
LWEEC
Built by youth, in action
See our work.
New opportunities
Follow the path as it grows.
Explore State Leadership opportunities and help shape the next HerPathUSA projects in your community.
Youth should not have to wait to lead.
HerPathUSA is a youth-led nonprofit founded in Georgia to give young people the support, resources, and platform to build meaningful projects from the ground up. Instead of asking students to wait until college or adulthood to make an impact, HerPathUSA creates structured entry points into leadership through fellowships, school chapters, state teams, public-facing projects, and international collaboration. Participants learn to research policy, speak publicly, organize teams, launch community initiatives, publish their work, and carry an idea from its earliest stage through real implementation. What began with a belief that young people deserve meaningful responsibility has grown into a network spanning 45 countries and reaching more than 500,000 people through programs, digital outreach, events, and volunteer-led work. HerPathUSA continues to expand the mentorship, partnerships, and practical resources available so more girls can strengthen their voices, gain experience, and shape their communities now.
The people building the path.
Founder & President
Shira Rabani
Shira Rabani is a student at Cambridge High School in Georgia with interests in public policy, civic leadership, debate, and youth advocacy. She founded HerPathUSA to give young people the resources, structure, and platform to build meaningful projects and lead before they are told to wait. As Founder and President, Shira guides the organization’s programs, partnerships, national leadership network, and continued growth. Outside of HerPathUSA, she is involved in debate, public speaking, policy research, environmental advocacy, and community leadership.
Texas State President & Director of Development
FNU Bhavika
FNU Bhavika is a student at McKinney Boyd High School in Texas with interests in public policy, law, civic engagement, and youth leadership. She serves as the Texas State President and Director of Development for HerPathUSA, where she hopes to expand opportunities for young women to engage in civic and policy work. Outside of HerPathUSA, she leads Youth Voice Project and Compass Civics and is involved in debate and community initiatives.
Georgia State President
Sasha Bedi
Sasha Bedi is a student at Cambridge High School in Georgia with interests in public speaking, engineering, and youth leadership. As Georgia State President of HerPathUSA, she works to expand opportunities for students to lead projects, build meaningful skills, and make an impact in their communities. Outside of HerPathUSA, Sasha enjoys exploring engineering, strengthening her public-speaking skills, and collaborating with other students on ideas that create positive change.
National Outreach Lead
Anthea Sun
Anthea Sun is a student at Henry M. Gunn High School in California with interests in public policy, gender studies, art history, and business. She serves as the National Outreach Lead for HerPathUSA, where she builds partnerships with nonprofits and schools and assists school chapters. Outside of HerPathUSA, Anthea is involved in DECA and enjoys public policy research and Suzhou embroidery.
HerPathUSA Leadership Team
Cassy Sinsay
Cassy Sinsay is part of the HerPathUSA leadership team, where she supports the organization’s work to create meaningful opportunities for young people to lead, collaborate, and build projects in their communities. She is committed to helping HerPathUSA grow its network and giving more girls the confidence and platform to turn their ideas into action.
California State President
Savannah
Hi everyone! My name is Savannah, and I’m so happy to be working as California’s State President and to build programs that help girls lead boldly in their schools and communities!
New York State President
Sara Thomas
Sara Thomas is a student at John Jay High School in New York with a passion for public policy, health equity, and youth leadership. As New York State President of HerPathUSA, she works to empower young people to lead and make an impact in their communities. She is especially interested in advocacy, communication, and turning ideas into meaningful initiatives. Sara enjoys writing, public speaking, and collaborating with others to create positive change.
New Jersey State President
Vivian Stenberg
Vivian Stenberg is a student at Union High School in Washington with interests in public policy, advocacy, law, and youth leadership. She serves as the New Jersey State President of HerPathUSA, where she works to expand opportunities for students to develop and lead projects in their communities, as well as develop meaningful professional connections. Outside of HerPathUSA, Vivian is involved in public speaking, exploring issues in politics and policy, volunteering in her community, and working with local groups to advocate for underserved communities.
Maryland State President
Sheylin
My name is Sheylin, and I am a junior at Watkins Mill High School and an aspiring lawyer. I will serve as the HerPathUSA Maryland State President. Through this position, I hope to mobilize young girls and leaders in Maryland to become more engaged in their communities and use their voices to make a difference. Outside of HerPathUSA, I enjoy reading, watching K-dramas, and drinking coffee!
Florida State President
Rhianna Mack
Rhianna Mack is a senior at American Senior High School in Florida with interests in public health policy, health equity, advocacy, and community service. She serves as the Florida State President of HerPathUSA, where she works to uplift young women, build state leadership networks, and expand project-based opportunities across the state. Outside of HerPathUSA, Rhianna leads her Speech & Debate team, engages in clinical research, and actively volunteers to support underserved communities.
Join our team.
Help shape how HerPathUSA grows in your state and give more young people a place to begin.
HerPathUSA's Op Ed's
Explore original policy op-eds written by HerPathUSA fellows. Each writer researched an issue, developed a focused argument, and turned a personal point of view into a call for public action.
HerPath helped me develop my writing skills, organize my ideas, and gain confidence in expressing my perspective on an issue that matters to me. Overall, this experience strengthened my passion for advocacy and showed me how writing can be a powerful tool for raising awareness and encouraging change.Gabriela Sofia Galbis Díaz
This program was a very educational and fun experience. I have learned skills I will continue to use for the rest of my writing career.Rachel Riordan
My experience with the HerPathUSA Policy Op-Ed Fellowship was amazing. I strengthened my writing and research skills, learned how to turn my ideas into meaningful policy arguments, and gained confidence in sharing my perspective. I would definitely recommend this program to friends and other students interested in writing, advocacy, and public policy.Yeilin Vasquez Bailon
HerPathUSA is an incredible community of welcoming people who guided me in the right direction every step of the way.Aleeza Ejaz
It was really fun. I found it resourceful and helpful, and it guided me through every step of the way.Ameena Khaliq
Policy Op-Ed Fellowship
Read the fellows' op-eds.
Sources
Programs & State Leadership
Current HerPathUSA opportunities.
Choose the program or pathway that fits the work you want to do, then apply directly.
5-week writing fellowship
Policy Op-Ed Fellowship
Develop two professional, publication-ready op-eds through guided research, drafting, individual feedback, and publication strategy. Fellows attend weekly workshops as well as individual meetings focused on their specific projects.
- Week 1: Orientation and lens development, including three original topic-and-lens proposals connected to a clear policy, political, or social issue.
- Week 2: Research exploration, source evaluation, op-ed structure, and an evidence-based outline.
- Week 3: Argument development, alternative perspectives, counterarguments, and a stronger line of reasoning.
- Week 4: A complete 900–1,000-word draft, followed by peer review and an individual review meeting.
- Week 5: Final revisions, an author bio, publication strategy, testimonials, certificates, and approval for publication consideration.
HerPathUSA × 8by8 · 6 weeks
Girls in Civic Leadership Initiative
A six-week youth civic leadership program for high school girls, especially students from AAPI and immigrant backgrounds, who want to become confident leaders and changemakers in their communities. No prior experience is required.
- Format: Virtual interactive workshops and mentorship sessions.
- Skills: Civic engagement, public policy, community organizing, advocacy, public speaking, and understanding how government institutions operate.
- Final project: An individual or group policy proposal, advocacy initiative, outreach plan, or other civic action project presented at a showcase for community leaders and representatives from both organizations.
- Certificate: Participants must attend at least 80% of sessions to receive a certificate of completion.
- Recognition: Students with 100% attendance receive special recognition and priority consideration for project publication and future leadership opportunities.
Global · 6-week impact program
HerPathGLOBAL
Girls from across the world work together to identify a challenge affecting their communities, compare local perspectives, develop a practical solution, and implement an original impact project.
- Week 1: Select one local challenge and define why it matters and who is affected.
- Week 2: Gather data, stories, or interviews; compare how the issue appears across communities; and produce a one-page research brief with at least three sources.
- Week 3: Build an action plan with a timeline, goals, success metrics, and team responsibilities.
- Weeks 4–5: Launch the project and document the work through photos, materials, attendance, analytics, and testimonials.
- Week 6: Submit a one-page impact report, deliver a five-minute presentation, and share an evidence portfolio. Projects may be recognized for innovation, community impact, collaboration, and leadership.
Pitch a Project
Pitch a new HerPathUSA program by explaining the problem, your proposed solution, the support it requires, and how young people can help build it. Selected ideas can receive support from state leadership teams, access to HerPathUSA volunteers, and a pathway to expand across the network.
Pitch a project →Dear D.C. Creative Competition
Respond to a civic or policy issue through an original story, essay, poem, speech, visual artwork, or another creative format. Submissions should communicate a clear message, connect to a real community concern, and show how creative work can contribute to public conversation.
Apply →Dear Next Chapter
Join a youth-led letter-writing service for immigrant girls and families beginning a new chapter. Participants create thoughtful letters centered on encouragement, belonging, dignity, and human connection, then contribute them to a coordinated HerPathUSA service project.
Apply →HerPathUSA Interviews
Request or pitch an interview with a leader, professional, advocate, or young changemaker connected to girls' leadership, identity, public voice, service, or civic impact. Student interviewers help shape the questions, lead the conversation, and prepare the story for HerPathUSA's platforms.
Apply →HerPathUSA Chapter Application
Start a HerPathUSA chapter at your school or in your community. Chapter leaders recruit members, plan local events and projects, participate in monthly chapter competitions, and connect students with HerPathUSA opportunities and the wider national network.
Apply →Fellows' work
Read work from HerPathUSA fellows.
Published essays, policy writing, and project documents will be collected here so anyone can open and read fellows' work online.
Featured fellow work
The first published fellow document will appear here with its title, author, and direct reading link.
Document coming soonNew perspectives
Additional essays and publications can be added to this shelf as each cohort completes its work.
Document coming soonBrowse the collection
This space is ready to become a public archive of work created across HerPathUSA programs.
Archive coming soonHerPathUSA state leadership
HerPathUSA state leadership
Girls should not have to wait to lead a room.
HerPathUSA is designed as a distributed leadership network. A national leadership team develops the organization’s standards, systems, branding, and long-term expansion strategy, while state leadership teams build HerPathUSA on the ground across all fifty states by supporting projects, chapters, volunteers, outreach, media, and internal operations. As the network expands, that structure also creates a pathway for broader international reach while preserving a strong state-based foundation in the United States.
Apply for a HerPathUSA leadership opportunity →National leadership consideration: Strong applicants may also be considered for HerPathUSA National Leadership using this same application. No separate application is required.
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.
State President
Lead the state team, coordinate statewide priorities and projects, communicate with National Leadership, and keep the state’s HerPathUSA network organized and moving forward.
Outreach Manager
Build relationships with schools, chapters, speakers, organizations, and community partners while expanding access to HerPathUSA opportunities across the state.
Media Manager
Manage the state’s digital presence, create and publish recurring content, and make its projects, opportunities, and youth leaders visible.
Join HerPathUSA
Carve a path of leadership.
As a HerPathUSA volunteer, you will have access to countless programs, project-building opportunities, leadership roles, and an ambitious network of youth.
Apply to join HerPathUSA
Start with the volunteer signup. Once you are registered, you can explore programs, contribute to youth-led projects, pursue leadership roles, and connect with HerPathUSA's wider network.
Apply to join HerPathUSA →Chapters
Start a chapter.
Bring HerPathUSA to your community with dedicated resources and continuous national support.
Step 1
Submit the chapter application
Fill out the HerPathUSA Chapter Application with your school or organization and your vision for your chapter.
Step 2
Get approved by the HerPathUSA National Team
The HerPathUSA National Team reviews your application and confirms your chapter before you begin operating.
Step 3
Get your chapter toolkit
HerPathUSA sends you a starter kit with meeting guides, event templates, outreach scripts, and an impact reporting form.
Step 4
Plan your first events
Use your toolkit to plan meetings, projects, and events that give members meaningful ways to create, contribute, and lead.
Monthly chapter competitions
Compete with chapters across HerPathUSA.
Each month, chapters can take on one shared challenge and compete alongside every HerPathUSA chapter. It is a simple way to build momentum, recognize strong work, and turn chapter activity into visible impact.
They lead monthly meetings, organize one event per term, recruit members, submit short updates to HerPathUSA, and create space for other girls to practice leadership too. Chapter leaders are not expected to do everything , they are expected to make sure something happens.
Every chapter is output-based. Members do not just discuss confidence; they produce speeches, interviews, panels, projects, and event recaps. At the end of each term, there is something to show , not just something to remember.
Yes. Chapters can moderate events, support youth panels, host workshops, or run HerPathUSA project tracks with local partners. HerPathUSA provides a collaboration agreement template for any formal partnership.
For school-based chapters, yes , a faculty advisor or adult contact is recommended. For community or independent chapters, you can operate independently and simply register with HerPathUSA.
There is no minimum size. Chapters have started with two people and grown from there. There is no maximum , though chapters with more than 20 active members are encouraged to create sub-teams with their own leads.