National Contest Shines Spotlight on Social Responsibility Trend Among Millennials
First Winner of "It Girl Essentials" Contest Announced
Raritan, NJ (PRWEB) May 14, 2009
The first of three winners of a national contest to identify socially responsible "It Girls" of the millennial generation was announced today on http://www. thepill. com (http://www. thepill. com).
The millennial generation (those born between 1982-2003) has long been criticized as an "entitled" generation - one who is used to getting what they want, when they want it. However, research shows that many millennials are actually putting social responsibility first: 61% said they felt personally responsible for making a difference in the world and more than 72% have taken it upon themselves to educate family and friends on a social/environmental cause1. Millennials are intent on making the world a better place, and, in turn, they expect others to do the same.
As a result of this ongoing trend, the 2009 "It Girl Essentials" contest, now in its second year, was structured to celebrate millennial women who are active in the social responsibility space. Sponsored by Ortho Women's Health & Urology™, maker of ORTHO TRI-CYCLEN® LO (norgestimate/ethinyl estradiol), the contest was divided into three social responsibility-related categories (green/sustainability, health, arts), and was designed to recognize exceptional "It Girls," between the ages of 18-24, who embody the confidence, reliability and poise of their generation. The first winner of the contest - green/sustainability category - is no exception.
"Despite what you hear in the news today, personally, I feel that my generation has really stepped up to the plate when it comes to social responsibility," said Bridget Pitman (http://www. youtube. com/watch? v=tQpu5MLFeT4), environmental enthusiast and first winner of the 2009 "It Girl Essentials" contest. "We are very aware of the world around us - and the issues that are playing out in it. As a result, we feel personally accountable to give back and make a difference on our own terms."
Meet Bridget Pitman: Winner of Green/Sustainability Category and Environmental Enthusiast
Born and raised in Idaho, 24-year-old Bridget Pitman is no stranger to the great outdoors. Whether she's snowboarding, fly fishing, cross-country skiing, hiking or backpacking, Bridget is the first to recognize the importance of conservation and sustainability.
"I am passionate about sustainability because it affects every aspect of my life," said Bridget. "I am thankful to live in such a beautiful place and I know that it is my responsibility to ensure that my children will be able to experience the same landscapes and nature I enjoy every day. By changing just a few habits of your daily life, you can have such a large impact on our environment."
After graduating from the University of Idaho, Bridget moved to Bozeman, MT to serve as Marketing Manager for Project WET - an organization devoted to global water education and conservation. She now works as a Volunteer Development Coordinator at AmeriCorps VISTA for a nonprofit that provides services for local homeless families with children. Bridget hopes to one day be able to establish her own nonprofit.
"It Girl Essentials" Moving Forward: Now Accepting Entries to Health Category
In addition to announcing the first winner of the "It Girl Essentials" contest, today also marks the launch of the next phase of the contest: health. Starting today, young women who are giving back within the health space can submit their entries on http://www. thepill. com (http://www. thepill. com). Have you started your own art therapy program or coordinated your local breast cancer awareness walk? If so, Ortho Women's Health & Urology™ wants to hear about it. Contestants are asked to submit a 1-2 minute video, or 500-word essay, describing what issue/cause matters to them, what they are doing to address that issue/cause in their community and how they are inspiring others to do the same.
To read more about Bridget and her tips for creating a greener environment, and to enter the "It Girl Essentials" contest, visit http://www. thepill. com (http://www. thepill. com) and click on the "It Girl Essentials" button.
About the Contest:
The 2009 "It Girl Essentials" contest kicked off on February 18, 2009. Contestants are asked to submit a 1-2 minute video, or 500-word essay, telling us what issue/cause matters to them, what they are doing to address that issue/cause in their community and how they are inspiring others to do the same.
Ortho Women's Health & Urology™ will select the top entries based on a contestant's ability to communicate the essence of reliability, predictability and confidence. The top entries will then be posted to http://www. thepill. com (http://www. thepill. com) for public voting. One final winner will be selected per category. Winners of the contest will win a $500 donation to a charity of their choice selected from a list of charitable organizations provided by Ortho Women's Health & Urology™ and will be featured on the "It Girl Essentials" Facebook and MySpace pages.
For contest updates, visit "It Girl Essentials" on Facebook (http://www. facebook. com/ItGirlEssentials? ref=ts) and MySpace (http://www. myspace. com/itgirlessentials).
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References:
1 The 2006 Millennial Cause Study: The Millennial Generation: Pro-Social and Empowered to Change the World. By Cone Inc. in collaboration with AMP Insights. May 2006.
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