About eight years ago, Mary Grace Henry of Harrison, New York, asked for a sewing machine (缝纫机) for her birthday. She wanted to design and sell headbands (头巾) to pay for just one African girl's schooling.
Now, 11,000 headbands later, Mary Grace has sold enough to give 45 girls living in poverty (贫穷) the gift of an education.
Henry is the founder of Reverse The Course—a headbandmaking business that gives 100 percent of the money it makes toward educational chances for girls, primarily in Uganda and Kenya. Henry had the idea to start her business after learning about early marriage in some developing countries—a practice that greatly reduces the likelihood of a girl receiving education.
There are about 67 million child brides (新娘) worldwide, according to the International Center for Research on Women (ICRW). Girls in poor communities in the developing world are greatly affected by the practice, which "repeats the cycle of poverty", according to the organization.
On November 6, Henry won a World of Children Award for her work to fight against the practice through educational chances. According to the organization, $35,000 will be given to support Reverse The Course's work by providing money for student workshops and programs for girls in poor Africa.
"The greatest difficulty of education faced by both girls and boys is poverty," Henry told the awards organization. "Girls, though, face a second hurdle that is far more difficult to address: their culture. In many countries throughout the world, girls are viewed as having not just less value than boys, but often little or no value. "
"When you see a need, act，" Henry said of the advice she'd give to others who want to make change. "Dream big, but start small, taking little steps. Set a goal (目标) and don't frighten yourself by thinking about the 'whatifs'. Each step taken will present both new chances and new difficulties. Face each one as it comes and then keep going. All those little steps, done with love, will lead you to places impossible to imagine. "
