Amanda Lee, Technology Access Foundation Education Team
Giving Hope is dedicated to showing women how they affect their communities through philanthropy
When you think of a way to help a child what is the first thing that comes to mind? If you said education I completely agree. Amanda Lee, a Girl Power Hour member and an employee of the Technology Access Foundation (TAF), has taken education to the next level. Amanda was a teacher for many years in Arizona in a low income area in inner city Phoenix. She loved her students and loved the difference she made everyday. However, she decided to move her family back to her home, Washington. This is where her career took a turn. Although she loved being an educator, it wasn’t enough for her. She wanted to make a bigger change within the education system here in Washington State and that is exactly what she is doing. As the Supplemental Services Coordinator for TAF she not only gets to work directly with students but she has a say in programming. TAF is an amazing program set up for students of lower income areas to lead youth down a technology path using real life scenarios and bringing in top industry leaders from large technology companies such as Microsoft.
A technology professional giving a demonstration to some students.
I was recently asked to come in and participate as part of the Lunar Council for the 7th grade students; I was blown away. These students were asked to put together a plan to colonize the moon and that’s exactly what they did with details down to how to dispose of waste. It was like watching a documentary on the Discovery Channel. To see how today’s technology has formed these students beyond anything I ever learned (I’m pretty sure I was dissecting frogs in 7th grade) was so impressive. The best part was, they actually enjoyed learning. The students I thought for sure were the trouble makers were the first to raise their hands to provide the correct answer to a question. It was so exciting to see the joy of learning in these kids. I wish more educational programs were set up this way.
Watching Amanda’s interaction with these students was impressive and heartwarming. You can sense her pride in her job and her love for those students. To know that there is a program like that out there with employees and teachers dedicated to making a difference the way she does gives hope to me as a parent. I believe the future will be so bright we will need to wear shades. 
Surveillance footage of the suspects after using Brittney's card while wearing the Tacoma Firefighter's jacket.
Giving Hope is dedicated to showing women how they affect their communities through philanthropy
I know this blog is about how women give back, but in this case I’m hoping we can give back to a woman who does so much for her community. If you haven’t already heard the news, Miss Washington 2011, Brittney Henry, from the Miss America Scholarship Organization has had her crown and sash stolen.
I know, it sounds like something out of a movie right? Sadly enough, it’s not. She had packed her car the night before to be prepared for an early morning appearance the next day and when she woke up her car was gone along with everything in it. Luckily she did get her car back but all of her gowns, crown, sash and other personal possessions were not found along with it. On top of all of this the same men possibly involved are suspected of stealing a Tacoma Firefighter’s jacket and other personal belongings from his vehicle that same morning. They were found using Miss Washington’s card while wearing the firefighter’s jacket. If you know anything about the whereabouts of any of the missing items, there is a $1000 reward for information leading to the arrest and charges filed in her case.
Let’s spread the word and help crown Miss Washington once again. For more information please visit the Crime Stoppers website.
Judy speaking with Queens ready for their makeovers.
Giving Hope is dedicated to showing women how they affect their communities through philanthropy
Some women have this amazing aura around them. They always seem to glow. You know they’ve gone through some difficult times, yet they always come out with a wink and a smile. Confidence is an amazing power every woman needs to possess and some women not only have it but they give it to others.
