About Progressionista
Our book club program combines the self-discovering power of reading for leisure, hands-on projects, and women mentorship to lead girls to help girls progress in life.
At every meeting, we feature women professionals, or progressionistas, who come from all walks of life and professions. Our progressionistas have included a chef, a park ranger, a dentist, a bus driver, a forensic scientist and over 70 more dynamic women professionals.
The books we read are all quality, highly recommended, and pre-teen girl approved.
In the midst of all of our girl power fun, Progressionista aims to:
Whether it is Oprah Winfrey or our favorite teacher, we have all been inspired by women who have discovered themselves by reading. It is our hope to give girls that same power by transforming them into progressionistas.
At every meeting, we feature women professionals, or progressionistas, who come from all walks of life and professions. Our progressionistas have included a chef, a park ranger, a dentist, a bus driver, a forensic scientist and over 70 more dynamic women professionals.
The books we read are all quality, highly recommended, and pre-teen girl approved.
In the midst of all of our girl power fun, Progressionista aims to:
- Double the leisure reading time of participants
- Expose participants to local women professionals
- Increase participants’ reading by at least one grade level
Whether it is Oprah Winfrey or our favorite teacher, we have all been inspired by women who have discovered themselves by reading. It is our hope to give girls that same power by transforming them into progressionistas.
Our Model
Our library-based book club events feature diverse women professionals (known as progressionistas) and interactive projects related to the group’s next fiction read.
Our progressionistas come from all walks of life and professions ranging from STEM fields to blue collar jobs. Our model aims to inspire girls to become literate, lifelong readers through exposure to women who have read their way toward success.
Our progressionistas come from all walks of life and professions ranging from STEM fields to blue collar jobs. Our model aims to inspire girls to become literate, lifelong readers through exposure to women who have read their way toward success.
A Progressionista A woman professional with a
special career or calling who speaks about her journey and answers questions |
A Pro ProjectGirls turn into the
pro by completing a project with the Progressionista related to her field |
A Good BookEvery girl leaves with an
exciting fiction book that connects to the meeting’s topic to read over the month |
A Message from Our Founder: Shanel
Progressionista is a labor of love that started in a small library on Detroit's westside. After returning home from college graduation, I thought about how much books and women mentorship combined changed my life. When I noticed how little the girls closest to me read for fun, I came up with the idea for Progressionista.
Over the years, the impact of this program has astounded me. I have witnessed girls who were reluctant to read become excited about picking up a book and discussing it with their peers. Not only that, but I have been amazed by the inspiring women who visit us. From scientists to artists, local women professionals have used their influence to inspire girls not only to dream big but read their way toward future success.
Today, Progressionista has created a community of girls and women who love to read and create thanks to countless women have volunteered their time to bring girlhood to life. I truly believe that through sisterhood and reading, all girls can progress in life. All girls can be progressionistas!
Over the years, the impact of this program has astounded me. I have witnessed girls who were reluctant to read become excited about picking up a book and discussing it with their peers. Not only that, but I have been amazed by the inspiring women who visit us. From scientists to artists, local women professionals have used their influence to inspire girls not only to dream big but read their way toward future success.
Today, Progressionista has created a community of girls and women who love to read and create thanks to countless women have volunteered their time to bring girlhood to life. I truly believe that through sisterhood and reading, all girls can progress in life. All girls can be progressionistas!