Only months after being attacked by the Taliban for attending school, 16-year-old Malala

Yousafzai was undaunted in speaking before the United Nations: "I raise up my voice –

not so that I can shout, but so that those without a voice can be heard." And that year, her

voice truly rang out among many others across the world. They rose in protest over the

gang rapes in a New Delhi slum. Against the mob attacks on Egyptian women in Tahrir

Square. In defense of a mother’s right to work, to support her family, in Nigeria.

The force and clarity of such voices, firm in the face of violence, has continually inspired

our advocacy at Seneca International. In joining this global chorus, we aim to fuel the

campaign for the rights of all women and girls as an international priority. And like

Malala, we invite you to join us in the years to come and raise up your voice as well.

Hence, we have chosen “Rise Up” as the theme of our inaugural report: a salute to both

auspicious beginnings and to our core mission of speaking up on behalf of those whose

voices may go unheard.

PHOTO / JENNIFER S. ALTMAN FOR UN WOMEN

inaugural report | 2

Raise up your voice Students speaking with UN Women Director Michele Bachelet on UN Day during the UN4U programme, October 2012.

PHOTO / A KALASH WOMAN IRESTS N A FIELD IN CHITRAL, NORTHERN PAKISTAN. / MANALAHMADKHAN, 2012

contents

inaugural report | 4

PHOTO / WOMAN CARRIES HER CHILDREN ON HER BIKE AFTER GETTING A

MEDICAL SCREENING IN CAMBODIA. / GLOBAL PARTNERSHIP FOR EDUCATION, 2011

welcome letter

seneca international | 2012-2013

UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA REGIONAL BOARD

Alice XieFounding President

Ashleigh TaylorExecutive Vice President

Will ChimAdministrative Vice President

Molly SprayregenDirector of Research

Chloe SharfinDirector of Programming

Kelsey GeiserDirector of Research

Garima SharmaDirector of Marketing &

Outreach

Olivia BryantCo-Director of Programming

Janani RamachandranCo-Director of Programming

Alysha SekhonSecretary

Anne TranTreasurer

Casey BurnettExecutive Vice President

Tierney O’RourkeFounding President

Sachi TwineTreasurer,

Co-Vice President

Rebecca BeilinsonDirector of Programming,

Co-Vice President

Kelly PayneFounding President

Will ChimAdministrative Vice Director

Tierney O’RourkePresident of Stanford University Branch

Ashleigh TaylorExecutive Vice Director

Kelly PaynePresident of Yale University Branch

NATIONAL BOARD//

Alice XieFounding Director, President of University of Pennsylvania Branch

our officers

www.seneca-international.org