Clubs are becoming more popular at SHS, and new ones continue to be formed. In October, three juniors created the Women’s Business Association. Savana Garabedian, Bailey Young, and Gracelyn Veiga created the club after noticing girls are underrepresented in SHS business classes, which could make them reluctant to get more involved. In forming the Women’s Business Association, they hope to “empower girls and encourage them to take more business classes,” as stated in their mission statement. 

Although Young has taken two business classes, Event and Entertainment Marketing and DECA, it was her involvement in clubs that inspired her to form the Women’s Business Association: “I could see the difference between how many boys and how many girls there were, and we wanted to change that.” Veiga explained that during her freshman year, she took Sports Marketing, and she noticed the class catered to boys–especially since there were only a few girls enrolled in the class. “It was freshman year, and girls wouldn’t really know much about business classes,” she said. 

When Garabedian, Young, and Veiga were in DECA together, they decided to form the Women’s Business Association as their year-long project. “It was kind of inspired by our proposal of a fashion marketing class,” according to Young. “We sent out a survey, and we knew more girls would be inclined to take that class due to the content.”

When asked how they came up with the name of the group, Young said, “It just came to me!” Veiga and Garabedian added, “We wanted something catchy with a good abbreviation.” “WBA is catchy,” commented Young.

According to  Garabedian, the club aims to “educate girls in business” and break the stigma associated with girls taking business classes. Giving girls resources and easy access to information is also important. With hopes that younger students will participate throughout their high school years, the club members want to “bring diversity” to the business department and help cultivate a successful path for female students interested in business. 

Currently, there are approximately 20 members of the Women’s Business Association, and they are hoping more students join. Club meetings are held every first Friday of the month in Mr. Maki’s room (#229) during WINN Block. Garabedian said club leaders decided to begin by learning more about women actively working in business. They plan to host networking events and invite women who have started their businesses locally. In addition to being inspired by role models, club members would have an excellent opportunity to learn more about starting a business. 

On November 11th and 12th, the Harvard University Undergraduate Women in Business Club hosted a conference for girls from all different regions of the country. Garabedian, Young, and Veiga were invited to attend by Celia Rees, a 2022 SHS graduate and current Harvard sophomore. During the conference, they enjoyed learning more about successful women who are CEOs of well-known companies. One of the most memorable speakers was Demetra Pinsent, the CEO of Charlotte Tilbury, a luxury makeup and skincare product company. Garabedian commented that Pinsent’s story was compelling because her family immigrated from Greece: “Her transformation within the industry was inspiring, especially for girls who are often overlooked in these careers.”

If you would like to learn more about the SHS Women’s Business Association, attend a meeting or follow their Instagram, @wba.scituate.