Soon after starting a position at a refugee resettlement agency in Chicago in 2010, Blair began tutoring a teen refugee girl whose challenges and determination inspired what would become GirlForward. The 5-year-old nonprofit has provided 200 refugee girls mentorship, education and leadership opportunities. Brettschneider was selected by the Department of State as one of two youth delegates to represent the U.S. at the UNESCO Youth Forum in Paris in 2011. Brettschneider has been featured on CNN Heroes and honored by the Chicago Foundation for Women Impact Awards. GF now also operates in Austin, where Brettschneider now lives.

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