Women’s History Month: Isabella on Finding Her Voice and Believing in Her Potential

Every girl deserves the opportunity to discover her strengths, explore her interests, and imagine a future where she can make a difference.

This Women’s History Month, we’re celebrating Isabella, a 16-year-old Little Sister who has spent the past two years in Big Sisters of BC Lower Mainland’s Study Buddy program. Through academic support, mentorship, and opportunities to explore life beyond high school, Isabella is building confidence in her abilities and discovering what her future could hold.

Passionate about learning, leadership, and making a positive difference, Isabella enjoys Model United Nations, robotics, volunteering, and exploring different cultures and languages. While she’s still discovering exactly what she wants to pursue, she knows she wants a future where she can continue learning, help others, and contribute to something greater than herself.

As Isabella puts it, “Ambition isn’t necessarily about knowing exactly where you’re going, but having the courage to explore the possibilities.”

Building Confidence Through Mentorship

Isabella has been part of the Study Buddy program for two years and has had the same Big Sister throughout her time in the program. Her mentor has supported her academic growth, particularly in mathematics, while encouraging her to keep going when things get challenging.

“My Big Sister has helped me tremendously, especially in mathematics, a subject where I’ve noticed genuine improvement thanks to her guidance and patience,” Isabella shares.

For Isabella, mentorship means more than academic support. It’s also about having someone who encourages her to keep trying and reminds her that progress takes time.

“What makes mentorship so meaningful to me is knowing that I don’t have to figure everything out on my own,” she says. “Every small improvement is still progress, and sometimes having someone believe in you helps you begin believing in yourself.”

Having a supportive person in her corner has helped Isabella recognize that she doesn’t need to be perfect to overcome challenges or grow in confidence. Sometimes, having someone believe in your potential can help you see it for yourself.

Exploring What Comes Next

Isabella’s experience with Big Sisters extends beyond the classroom. Through Pumped for Post-Secondary, she participated in a program at Langara College that introduced her to post-secondary education and helped her explore what life after high school might look like.

One of the most valuable parts of the experience was hearing directly from people with firsthand knowledge of post-secondary education. Their experiences gave Isabella a clearer understanding of college life and the possibilities available to her.

“As students, we’re often asked what we want to become when we’re older, and sometimes that question can feel overwhelming,” Isabella explains. “Experiences like this remind us that we don’t need to have every answer immediately. What matters is being curious, exploring our interests, and taking opportunities to learn.”

For Isabella, post-secondary education represents more than earning a degree or choosing a career. It’s an opportunity for independence, personal growth, and discovering what she’s capable of achieving.

Through programs like Study Buddy and Pumped for Post-Secondary, young people can access support while building the knowledge and confidence to explore their next steps.

Encouraging Girls to Believe in Their Potential

For Isabella, Women’s History Month is a reminder of the women who challenged expectations and created opportunities for future generations. Their achievements inspire her to recognize that she, too, can create change in her own way.

“As a young woman, I think it’s incredibly important to grow up surrounded by people who remind us that our voices, ideas, and ambitions deserve to be heard,” she shares.

Having people who support and encourage her has helped Isabella understand that confidence can grow over time, especially when others recognize potential that we may not yet see in ourselves.

Her message to other girls who have dreams for their future but aren’t sure where to start is simple: they don’t need to have everything figured out.

“It’s okay to be uncertain, to make mistakes, and even to change your mind along the way. Your dreams don’t become less meaningful just because you haven’t discovered the path toward them yet.”

She encourages girls to stay curious, ask questions, try new things, and surround themselves with people who believe in them.

“You don’t need to know exactly who you’re going to become to start believing in the person you are today.”

Creating Opportunities for the Next Generation

At Big Sisters, we believe every young person deserves the support and opportunities to discover their strengths and explore their potential. Isabella’s story is a reminder that mentorship is not about having all the answers. It’s about creating space for young people to ask questions, learn from challenges, and discover what’s possible for themselves.

This Women’s History Month, we’re celebrating girls like Isabella who are exploring their interests, building confidence, and imagining the futures they want to create. With encouragement and access to opportunities, the next generation can continue challenging expectations, pursuing their ambitions, and making a difference in their communities.

Want to help a young person discover their potential?

Learn more about becoming a volunteer mentor and how you can help girls and gender-diverse youth build confidence, develop skills, and explore their futures.