By: Shariah Dunwell
You know those moments that feel like they could be dreams because there’s no way real life is this wild? Yeah—this is one of those.
Let me paint the picture:
We’d been part of Kelly Clarkson’s Good Neighbor series before, so when I heard that I Support the Girls was named a finalist for the Good Neighbor of the Year Award, I thought—how cool! What an honor! Yay for us!
Then, three days before the big taping, I got the call:
“Hey Shariah… you need to be in NYC. In 72 hours. Secret mission.”
Plot twist: Dana (our founder) had no idea I’d be there.
Plot twist #2: I had no idea we actually WON until minutes before stepping on stage.
Chaos? Yes. Worth it? Absolutely.
The day started in my hotel room, early in the morning listening to the buzz of the city. Call time was 8:30 am, so began filming my “grwm” at 6 am so I wouldn’t feel rushed (jk, I didn’t film anything, but I did listen to some fun music while getting ready!). I got picked up for the Starbucks segment (you know, just casually filming in an ACTUAL functioning Starbucks turned full-blown TV set). There were film lights, wires everywhere, background extras being choreographed—it was like stepping into a movie set with lattes.
Ready to shoot!
After that, we ran (like, actually ran—six NYC blocks) to the Kelly Clarkson Show set. I was ushered into the backstage darkness, surrounded by more wires, glowing monitor screens, and the distant sound of Kelly freaking Clarkson warming up her vocals. (Spoiler: she sounds just as angelic live.)
Dana thought she was going to be one of several finalists being interviewed that day. What she didn’t know? That I was about to walk out onto that stage and that I Support the Girls had officially won the Good Neighbor of the Year Award.
So many things were happening at once. Kelly surprised us with a $100,000 donation from Starbucks (cue the ugly crying), and on stage, we watched as our team back at HQ cheered us on live from their own celebration party. The moment was pure magic.
Folks back at ISTG HQ celebrating our win!
We laughed. We hugged. We stood on a stage that felt so much bigger than just an award show segment. It felt like recognition for every volunteer, every donor, and every team member who believes in menstrual equity and dignity for all.
Oh, and yes—I’m totally famous now (even if only in my head).
To the entire ISTG team—this win is yours. You are the reason we do what we do. And to Kelly Clarkson and Starbucks—thank you for believing in bras, dignity, and the power of doing good.
What. A. Ride.
