On March 21st, 2024, Yes She Can, Inc. celebrated its 10th anniversary at The Mansion on Broadway in White Plains, New York. The event began with hors d’oeuvres, a silent auction, and a chance for former and current affiliates to mingle, take pictures in front of a lighted backdrop, and interview their experiences with the organization. Once settled in the dining area, guests heard opening remarks from current executive director Robin Davies-Small and board chair Sheri Gordon. Then came a presentation describing the evolution and expansion of Yes She Can over the past decade, its perseverance remotely during the pandemic, and its expanding political influence. The presentation concluded with a surprise message from renowned animal scientist and autism advocate Dr. Temple Grandin, who encouraged members of Yes She Can to continue their impressive and meaningful work.
The next, and perhaps most important, part of the celebration involved speeches from the event’s honorees: Valerie Tripp, Kelly Branco, and Haley Moss. Valerie, a Mount Kisco native and book author for the American Girl franchise, discussed her “love at first email” with Yes She Can (“Isn’t that the best name?”), and how she wants every young reader to “push it, where she is, right now.” She also emphasized how Yes She Can realizes the consistent theme in her stories: “We’re all in the world in our way – thank goodness! – and it is our differences that make the world work.” Kelly, CFO and CCO of Tremblant Capital Group, had similar things to say. “I have always known that people have different ways of seeing the world and that it is important to acknowledge and embrace that fact.” Her mission is to educate people, especially children, about what autism means to her as both a sibling and parent and how to befriend and support someone with neurological and behavioral differences. Haley, an attorney and author, “is determined to make the world more accessible and inclusive for people with different abilities and to encourage others to embrace neurodiversity.” “We get so boxed in,” she said. “Being an autistic person, people make so many assumptions about who you are. Being an autistic woman in particular, people are going to make other assumptions about who you are. What you can do, look like, and present yourself in the world.” She emphasized that no matter how you’re perceived – or misperceived – we all deserve support, opportunities, and representation.
Overall, the event was very successful, with speakers expressing their excitement about the future of Yes She Can. Valerie says, “We want to find, nourish, celebrate, and use our truest self, the self you are when you’re all by yourself, your heart and soul.” Yes She Can will help more people accomplish this and hopefully inspire the establishment of new organizations with similar goals. We only have positive expectations for what this next decade will bring.
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