Intern-views: Sarah Sanfilippo

Meet the fall interns at the Women and Girls Foundation! We have some amazing women working here – read on to find out more about our intern Sarah Sanfilippo.

 
WGF: How did you get involved with the Women and Girls Foundation?
SS: Being an avid feminist, I first encountered WGF during 2014’s Equal Pay Rally. I actually bought one of their t-shirts for my sister as a birthday present. It wasn’t until my senior year of high school that I was reintroduced to Tara and the organization where I began my internship.
 
WGF: Tell us about your educational/social activism/personal background.
SS: I am currently a senior at City Charter High School. I volunteer with Planned Parenthood, Equality PA, The Student Conservation Association, and also intern with Women for a Healthy Environment (WHE). My two greatest passions lie with helping women and helping the environment. I’ve found myself at a constant crossroad between the two, often times struggling with how to balance them. However, through my internships at WGF and WHE, I realized the endless overlaps, the most significant being that I feel empowered while working in both fields.
 
WGF: What are you working on for WGF?
SS: “My project,” as I like to call it, is the Weekly Feminist Update which is posted on WGF’s website. Within that, I’ve helped complete other tasks regarding events, like the Crossroads Conference.
 
WGF: What is your favorite part of the job?
SS: My favorite part of the job, aside from the strong and inspirational women I work with, is being a part of an organization that changes women’s lives. I say that I am a part of the Women and Girls Foundation with such pride because the work that WGF accomplishes on a daily basis is the kind of work that has changed me, and has the power to change the world we live in. It has helped me not only reconfirm my belief that my calling is in social activism, but opened my eyes to so many different opportunities and ways I can empower myself and others.
 
WGF: What is the most rewarding thing you have worked on in your career so far?
SS: Being that I am still in high school, it was rewarding in itself to gain the experience of my internship here at WGF and at WHE. I have gained so many amazing contacts and resources in fields that I am passionate about. It has also been exceptionally rewarding that I was able to offer myself as a reliable and hardworking resource in return.
 
WGF: If you could resolve one world issue, what would it be?
SS: I would make all reproductive health care affordable, safe, and accessible to everybody, but especially women. Often times health care qualifies as safe and accessible, but not affordable or accessible, or not affordable and safe. It is important, and would be my goal to make sure health care is all three of these things.
 
WGF: Do you have any advice for young people who want to make change but don’t know where to start?
SS: Talk to WGF! Really, getting involved with any organization that parallels your passions is a good start. There are so many great people doing great things, you just have to find them. Also, build good relationships. Sometimes all it takes is that one foot in the door. If you know someone, then they know someone, and soon, you have hundreds of contacts and opportunities to make the changes you want to see in the world.
 
WGF: What is your favorite food?
SS: I don’t have a favorite food, but I love coffee!