Recognizing Sue Schooner's Service to the Young Women of Washtenaw County

Floor Speech

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Mrs. DINGELL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Sue Schooner, the founder and Executive Director of Girls Group in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Her work to mentor and support the young women of Washtenaw County over the last 20 years is worthy of commendation.

Sue was born in Boston, but her family moved almost every year for her father's Army career. She worked full-time as a high schooler, graduated at the age of sixteen, and worked three jobs to pay for her tuition at Ithaca College. After graduation, she attended the Harvard Business School where she attained her MBA.

Sue is a retired automotive executive and developed mentoring programming at both the Chrysler Corporation and Textron Automotive. What began as a volunteer stint working with girls at Peace Neighborhood Center and the Women's Center of Southeastern Michigan (now the Jean Ledwith King Women's Center) became a passion. In 2003 Sue founded Girls Group to support young women who face obstacles to completing high school. Its goal is to first get them through high school--and then to help them become first-generation college graduates.

What started as one woman hoping to mentor a few young ladies is now a staff of over 20 helped by interns from nearby universities, numerous volunteers, and 16 board members who do a lot of hands-on work. Today, Girls Group facilitates weekly programs within the public schools, an intensive college prep program that includes college tours, SAT and ACT prep courses, and scholarship opportunities, as well as a returning mentor program created for women who have graduated high school and are now in a position to mentor the next generation. Girls Group now works with over 750 young women, and that number is growing steadily. ``The reality is these girls are super smart, but if you can't manage your anger and you can't self-soothe it doesn't matter how smart you are,'' Schooner says. ``You still have to be able to focus in class, not get in fights with other kids, and do your homework.''

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me today in honoring the 20 years of service that Sue Schooner and the Girls Group have provided to the young women of Washtenaw County. Through her efforts and the efforts of all those involved in Girls Group, an entire generation of young women have been given the tools to succeed. We are excited to see what advances can be made in the next 20 years. I thank Sue.

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