[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 187 (Monday, November 13, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1086]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  RECOGNIZING SUE SCHOONER'S SERVICE TO THE YOUNG WOMEN OF WASHTENAW 
                                 COUNTY

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. DEBBIE DINGELL

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, November 13, 2023

  Mrs. DINGELL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Sue Schooner, 
the founder and Executive Director of Girls Group in Ann Arbor, 
Michigan. Her work to mentor and support the young women of Washtenaw 
County over the last 20 years is worthy of commendation.
  Sue was born in Boston, but her family moved almost every year for 
her father's Army career. She worked full-time as a high schooler, 
graduated at the age of sixteen, and worked three jobs to pay for her 
tuition at Ithaca College. After graduation, she attended the Harvard 
Business School where she attained her MBA.
  Sue is a retired automotive executive and developed mentoring 
programming at both the Chrysler Corporation and Textron Automotive. 
What began as a volunteer stint working with girls at Peace 
Neighborhood Center and the Women's Center of Southeastern Michigan 
(now the Jean Ledwith King Women's Center) became a passion. In 2003 
Sue founded Girls Group to support young women who face obstacles to 
completing high school. Its goal is to first get them through high 
school--and then to help them become first-generation college 
graduates.
  What started as one woman hoping to mentor a few young ladies is now 
a staff of over 20 helped by interns from nearby universities, numerous 
volunteers, and 16 board members who do a lot of hands-on work. Today, 
Girls Group facilitates weekly programs within the public schools, an 
intensive college prep program that includes college tours, SAT and ACT 
prep courses, and scholarship opportunities, as well as a returning 
mentor program created for women who have graduated high school and are 
now in a position to mentor the next generation. Girls Group now works 
with over 750 young women, and that number is growing steadily. ``The 
reality is these girls are super smart, but if you can't manage your 
anger and you can't self-soothe it doesn't matter how smart you are,'' 
Schooner says. ``You still have to be able to focus in class, not get 
in fights with other kids, and do your homework.''
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me today in honoring the 20 
years of service that Sue Schooner and the Girls Group have provided to 
the young women of Washtenaw County. Through her efforts and the 
efforts of all those involved in Girls Group, an entire generation of 
young women have been given the tools to succeed. We are excited to see 
what advances can be made in the next 20 years. I thank Sue.

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