HAVE SOME FUN TODAY - In our series "Raising Women", we've put the focus on what it means to parent girls to become amazing women. But we are also celebrating what it means to "Raise Women" in our community, as in lifting them up, acknowledging them, helping them, supporting them, and being an advocate for all women. Today we feature HSFT woman Brittany Decker.
Brittany Decker is the poster girl for Community Involvement. With 3-year-old twins and a teenage son at home, to say she is busy is an understatement. Spend any amount of time with her and you get the feeling that's the way she likes it. She and husband Jonathan both believe in the importance of giving back with their volunteer efforts. "I volunteer to make our community a better place for our children and to help the non-profits that are doing so much to help everyone."
Girl Power
She is currently the vice president of community development for The Junior League of Reading and they have created programs to help empower young girls. One such program is the Young Women's Summit held in the spring in the Reading School District. A four day leadership program aimed at girls between 11-14, they work on issues like self esteem, building confidence and facing the challenges many of the girls deal with at home. Brittany describes it as eye-opening and inspiring. "Some of the things they deal with on a day-to-day basis are horrific. Abusive parents, not having a safe home to live in or not enough food. And they want to learn how to move forward in life and be a better person, even with their circumstances."
Making a Difference
Brittany will be the president of the Reading Junior League in 2018. She also is currently the president of the Leadership Berks Alumni Council, the restaurant committee chair for Opportunity House Souper Bowl event, and event assistant at Habitat for Humanity. Whew! That may be more exhausting than the 3-year-old twins, but she does it all with a megawatt smile and gracious heart while truly living the Have Some Fun Today philosophy.
When it comes to supporting women around her, Brittany believes you "raise them up" by just being there. "I think it means being a great friend and that encompasses being there through the good and bad and reaching out and supporting them in the highs and lows."
We couldn't agree more.
Written and contributed by HSFT writer Rebecca Doubek
