Multi-award winning R&B singer Mary J. Blige is a big believer in giving chances to aspiring young women. She recently teamed with the Urban League to present New Yorker Camry Rosario with a check that represented a $50,000, four-year scholarship. The check was handed out at halftime of the New York Urban League football game between Howard and Morgan State on Saturday and it comes from Blige’s charity, the Foundation for the Advancement of Women Now. Rosario will use it to attend Mercy College and major in physical therapy. For the 39-year-old Blige, it was a matter of giving girls a chance she never had. “It’s important for me to give back because I never had the chance to get what I wanted out of the educational system,” said Blige, whose commitment to the Urban League included participation in a panel discussion for 150 young women in May. “It’s what I didn’t have. But what I did have was a second chance at life.” “I am these young women,” Blige said. “A lot of women think they’re not smart enough or strong enough to get the life. I want to give them a second chance. That’s been my message since the beginning of my singing career. â “That’s been my message, and it still stands as my message. When you’re educated, you know where you’re going, and you know you can go further.” This was Blige’s first year of commitment to the Urban League, following other luminaries such as Oprah Winfrey and the late George Steinbrenner.
She’s an icon of modern R&B and has been for the last thirty years, but Mary J. Blige is more than just a singer – she’s also a passionate advocate for women and their empowerment. In her own words, Blige believes that everyone should have “a second chance to do something better,” and it’s through this belief that she works so hard to encourage women everywhere to reach their full potential. Now, in a recent interview with Refinery29, the nine-time Grammy winner reveals why giving women a second chance is so important to her.
The Queen of Hip Hop Soul has had her fair share of struggles throughout her career; from battling addiction issues early on in life, to dealing with personal heartache during her divorce, Mary J. Blige knows what it means to rise up again after hitting rock bottom. Her resilience has made her into the strong woman she is today – one who lives by the mantra “you can achieve anything you want if you stay focused”. And now, as an opportunity arises for other women to follow suit, she wants them all to grab hold of it and make something great out of it.
In her conversation with Refinery29 about giving women a second chance, Mary J. Blige opens up about how we can use our past experiences – both good and bad – as fuel towards growth and self-improvement. Read on to find out exactly what the star had to say about doing the work necessary for lasting change!
Motivation Behind The Initiative
When it comes to inspiring and empowering women, few have done more than Mary J. Blige. Her latest initiative is no exception – the legendary singer has launched a program dedicated to giving second chances to women who are looking for work after serving time in prison. In an exclusive interview, she opened up about her motivation behind this mission and what it means to her personally.
At its core, Blige’s initiative seeks to provide job training and resources that will help these women reintegrate into society and find meaningful employment opportunities. She emphasizes how important it is for those affected by incarceration or any other form of adversity to know they can still succeed – with the right support system in place. “You don’t have to live your life feeling like you can never get out of that hole,” Blige explains, “I want them to understand that there’s room at the top.”
This sentiment reflects one of Blige’s own personal experiences: Growing up in Yonkers, New York, she often felt overlooked and misunderstood due to her struggles with poverty and illness. It was music that ultimately helped turn things around for her—and now she wants others facing similar circumstances know anything is possible if they put their minds to it. By helping create new pathways for success, Blige hopes her efforts will enable women everywhere reach their fullest potential without fear or judgement..
Benefits Of The Program
The benefits of Blige’s program are far-reaching, and the singer believes it can make a lasting impact. By giving women a second chance at life, they’ll gain access to new opportunities they may not have had before. Through job training and other resources available through the initiative, these individuals will be able to build on their skillsets and ultimately find meaningful employment.
Blige also sees this as an important step in helping close the gender wage gap. Women who have been incarcerated often face added barriers when looking for work due to stigma or lack of support networks available upon release. With more access to resources made available by organizations like Blige’s initiative, women can become empowered with knowledge that will help them advance professionally – leading to better income potential down the line.
Ultimately, Blige’s mission goes beyond just providing job opportunities—it provides hope. It shows that no matter what you’re going through, you can still reach your goals if you stay focused and determined. As she puts it: “No dream is too big; anything we put our minds to, we can accomplish.”
Conclusion
In conclusion, Mary J. Blige has taken on the challenge of giving women a second chance through her new program. Her motivation behind this initiative is to provide an opportunity for those who need it most and to show that everyone can be successful with a little support. By partnering with organizations like Dress For Success and providing resources such as counseling, job training, financial literacy classes and more, she hopes to empower women in their journey towards independence. The benefits of this program extend beyond the individual woman; when one person succeeds, the entire community experiences success too. With continued efforts from advocates like Mary J. Blige, we can create a better world for all people by offering hope and opportunities for growth.
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