Our Mission
The mission of Be-Ruth Foundation is to build & uplift teen girls and empower them by increasing their knowledge and skills in STEAM.
Our Vision
Be-Ruth envisions generations of self-confident girls unafraid to use their talents and knowledge to transcend societal ceilings, who understand the importance of and practice self-care and good environmental stewardship; while transforming the professional landscape of Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math (STEAM).
Empowering through Exposure
Women remain underrepresented in the science and engineering workforce and make up a minority percentage of STEAM workers in the US (<25%). Women of color represent a smaller share of the science and engineering workforce (11%) than their proportion in the general population and are often marginalized in technology and engineering professions.
Through Be-Ruth, girls in the primary stages of development participate in activities and events that inform, engage, and challenge.
Exposing youth as early as possible to STEAM career options helps teens understand how to choose a career. This increases the probability that their selection will be the most suitable and fulfilling while increasing their economic power exponentially. We give young girls tools and resources to display their untapped talents and potential to change the world through the lens of science, technology, engineering, art, and math.
Engaging through Mentorship
46% of youth are less likely than their peers to start using illegal drugs and are 27% less likely to start drinking as a result of mentoring. (Public/Private Ventures study of Big Brothers Big Sisters)
Through our group mentoring program, we foster a young girl’s personal growth, development, and social and economic opportunity.
Educating in STEAM
Asian students took advanced mathematics courses at a significantly higher rate than any other racial or ethnic group, with 50% taking calculus or higher, compared with 22% for white students, 15% for Hispanic students, and 9% for black students. (ncgproject.org, 2018)
Be-Ruth instructs teen girls by developing academic programs and activities that foster learning in STEAM.
STEAM development teaches youth to dissect and solve any problem through process, promotes long-term growth and maturity, and creates career options and focus.
The goal is to enhance their public education and give girls additional training in the area of STEAM.
Our STEAM Programs
Be-SaS-EScience
Discover the excitement and expanse of science career fields through engaging inquiry-based workshops and experiments.
Be-xplic-ITTechnology
Educational projects that use skill, logic, and knowledge to grow techniques, processes, and methods that develop critical thinking and analysis.
Be-EmpoHeredEngineering
Explore the many science and engineering career options by learning the design process to make your designs a reality.
Be-ART-iqulateArt
Explore the eclectic offerings of the art world through various forms of self-expression including photography, painting, and writing.
Be-PrimeMath
Understand the nature of money and successfully maintain personal finances to achieve financial security.
Be-MindfulWellness
Work to build healthy development, safety, well-being, mental and emotional fortitude, physical stamina, and spiritual awareness while addressing issues that young women face daily.
Our Founder
Obstacles Become
Opportunities—Philana Swann
—Philana Swann
Who is Philana Swann?
Philana Swann is a Change Agent in the lives of teens. She creates programs in the area of STEAM that empowers young women to excel and overcome obstacles. Philana is also a professional working in the industry. Her corporate ties assist her in forging relationships that benefit vulnerable members of the community. Philana is also a strong family matriarch. Her immediate and extended family unit depends on her for wisdom, love, support and resources that help them be the very best they can be.
She is a loving wife, mother of 3 daughters, nurturing daughter, niece, cousin and friend. Philana is a woman who overcame obstacles that would crush the strongest warrior. She is vocal about sharing her story to encourage others; to impress upon young ladies that they can overcome any odds!
Obstacles Become
Opportunities—Philana Swann
—Philana Swann
Who is Philana Swann?
Philana Swann is a Change Agent in the lives of teens. She creates programs in the area of STEAM that empowers young women to excel and overcome obstacles. Philana is also a professional working in the industry. Her corporate ties assist her in forging relationships that benefit vulnerable members of the community. Philana is also a strong family matriarch. Her immediate and extended family unit depends on her for wisdom, love, support and resources that help them be the very best they can be.
She is a loving wife, mother of 3 daughters, nurturing daughter, niece, cousin and friend. Philana is a woman who overcame obstacles that would crush the strongest warrior. She is vocal about sharing her story to encourage others; to impress upon young ladies that they can overcome any odds!
Our Story The Evolution of Ruth B. Settle
My grandmother, Ruth B. Settle, was a woman of strength, grace, and poise. To her, education was a priority; she worked to support her children and grandchildren in their scholastic endeavors. She was a human rights advocate and marched during the Civil Rights movement.
Her sacrifices remind me of a caterpillar. The strength of the caterpillar determined to soar as a butterfly. The struggles women and girls encounter are just like what butterflies face as they free themselves from the cocoon of darkness & uncertainty.
Women & girls are disproportionately underrepresented in STEAM fields, and young girls that are coming behind us are strengthening their wings so they can take flight and lead the world to greater heights.
My grandmother Ruth's sacrifices remind me of how a caterpillar persists despite her struggles and still nourishes herself & her family because she knows change is coming.
Because of her generosity, I grew in love, in faith, in spirit, and in truth. Now I am well prepared to launch young girls into the next phase of their life by providing empowering educational opportunities. I want to show young girls how to shed the old mindset (depression, fear, doubt, etc.) that keeps them from flying high. I am creating a safe space for them to flap their majestic butterfly wings and SOAR.
Just like butterflies, we have struggles.
Be-Ruth uplifts girls through our extracurricular programs: Empowering through Exposure, Engaging through Mentorship, and Educating in STEAM. Girls are transformed.
Our grand vision a generation of talented youth girls who prevail; who are unwavering in using their gifts to succeed in STEAM professions, who champion diversity and who insist on environmental stewardship, who free themselves & free their communities.
My grandmother’s sacrifices remind me of the caterpillar that evolved, a multi-faceted jewel of the richest & most vibrant hues that glides above everything that tried to keep her down.
I continue Ruth B. Settle’s legacy. I use hindrances and help-mates. Struggles as stepping stones. Let's join together to help girls rise.
Let's Be Ruth!
Our Story The Evolution of Ruth B. Settle
My grandmother, Ruth B. Settle, was a woman of strength, grace, and poise. To her, education was a priority; she worked to support her children and grandchildren in their scholastic endeavors. She was a human rights advocate and marched during the Civil Rights movement.
Her sacrifices remind me of a caterpillar. The strength of the caterpillar determined to soar as a butterfly. The struggles women and girls encounter are just like what butterflies face as they free themselves from the cocoon of darkness & uncertainty.
Women & girls are disproportionately underrepresented in STEAM fields, and young girls that are coming behind us are strengthening their wings so they can take flight and lead the world to greater heights.
My grandmother Ruth's sacrifices remind me of how a caterpillar persists despite her struggles and still nourishes herself & her family because she knows change is coming.
Because of her generosity, I grew in love, in faith, in spirit, and in truth. Now I am well prepared to launch young girls into the next phase of their life by providing empowering educational opportunities. I want to show young girls how to shed the old mindset (depression, fear, doubt, etc.) that keeps them from flying high. I am creating a safe space for them to flap their majestic butterfly wings and SOAR.
Just like butterflies, we have struggles.
Be-Ruth uplifts girls through our extracurricular programs: Empowering through Exposure, Engaging through Mentorship, and Educating in STEAM. Girls are transformed.
Our grand vision a generation of talented youth girls who prevail; who are unwavering in using their gifts to succeed in STEAM professions, who champion diversity and who insist on environmental stewardship, who free themselves & free their communities.
My grandmother’s sacrifices remind me of the caterpillar that evolved, a multi-faceted jewel of the richest & most vibrant hues that glides above everything that tried to keep her down.
I continue Ruth B. Settle’s legacy. I use hindrances and help-mates. Struggles as stepping stones. Let's join together to help girls rise.
Let's Be Ruth!
Board of Directors
BE-RUTH and RUTH4Kids Foundation, Inc.
CEO, Rewrite 365
IBM
CEO, Hearts In Mind Counseling
Habitat for Humanity Dekalb
COO, PH Consultants
Executive Volunteers
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