Issue link: http://maconmagazine.uberflip.com/i/1184234
4 8 | M A C O N M A G A Z I N E . C O M A U G U S T / S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 9 TELL US ABOUT YOUR ACTIVITIES IN THE COMMUNITY, ESPECIALLY WHAT YOU'RE MOST EXCITED ABOUT. I am excited about the work that we're doing at Real I.M.P.A.C.T. Center, exposing girls to science, technology, engineering and math education and careers, while teaching life skills along the way. Uniquely, Real IMPACT is the only organization in the region that offers a year-round STEM Education GENEVA M. WEST, 38 Founder, CEO, Real I.M.P.A.C.T Center, Inc. program for girls. Our programs afford an opportunity to girls in third to eighth grades, who otherwise may not be able to engage in robotics, coding, dissections, DNA analysis, forensics, physics and more. Since 2013, we have served more than 2,500 girls from various socio- economic backgrounds. Our goal is to provide an opportunity for all girls to excel in life through exposure to STEM, to inspire girls to consider STEM education and careers, and to create a network that helps women in STEM. We are especially excited that upon completion of our program in the eighth grade, girls are being pipelined to a pre-college STEM program with Fort Valley State University's Math, Science and Engineering Academy. AS YOU LOOK TO THE FUTURE, WHAT ARE YOUR PROFESSIONAL AND PERSONAL GOALS? If you want a stronger community, invest in a girl! Girls deserve the chance to break the cycle of generational poverty among women who, although making exceptional salaries, sadly make less than men in the same field. I believe greatly that when you educate a woman, you educate a generation. Therefore, if you want a stronger community, invest in a girl. Personally, I want to become a better me and to further align with God's plans for my life. WHAT ARE YOU PERSONALLY COMMITTED TO ACCOMPLISHING IN MACON AND WHY? Less than 25 percent of women are in the STEM workforce in the U.S.; "A GOOD LEADER EMPOWERS PEOPLE TO ACCOMPLISH THEIR GOALS AND TO SEEK ONLY THE MERE SATISFACTION OF THAT INSPIRATIONAL MOMENT." -Geneva M. West