Growing up in the housing projects of Memphis, Tennessee, Crystal Chatman felt ill equipped to deal with life’s difficult situations. She wished for a mentor to teach her about the importance of education and self-worth. As an adult, she channeled that desire into action by founding Beautiful Spirited Women (BSW), a non-profit dedicated to empowering and advocating for girls. BSW provides young women with a powerful platform to share their personal experiences with sex, drug abuse, domestic violence, low self-esteem, bullying and depression, and equips them with important life skills to advance in schools and workplaces situations. BSW tackles difficult issues such as poverty and teenage pregnancy by bringing young mothers to talk to program participants, and working with teenagers who hold dreams of one day owning their own businesses. Since inception 9 years ago, BSW spread to eight cities and states, serving 5,000-10,000 constituents each year through workshops, seminars, luncheons and school visits.
Being a L’Oréal Paris Women of Worth means being a difference maker within the community in which you grew up. It represents how you can continue to share your own life experiences with girls like you and help them be better prepared for life by refocusing their minds on goals and opportunities.