International Women's Day Spotlight: Smart from the START with CEO and Founder, Cherie Craft

Happy International Women's Day from The Two Jess(es)! 

In celebration of all the incredible women in the WeSTAT community, our gift to you is the release of one episode every day this week. 
Jess and Jess have put together an inspiring line up of women who are making a difference in the world around them by practicing the values and virtues of THE INTERNATIONAL WOMAN (which include):

• Justice
• Dignity
• Hope
• Equality
• Collaboration
• Tenacity
• Appreciation
• Respect
• Empathy
• Forgiveness

Today we celebrate community support through our conversation with Cherie Craft, CEO and Founder of Smart from the Start, a non-profit with programs running in inner city Boston and DC. Cherie shares their grassroots approach to setting up and living, breathing, working, in the communities that they are working to serve. The foundation of supporting the parents in order to increase a child's chances of life long success is simple yet profound in the way it works to change families perspectives of themselves, their capabilities and what it means to be a part of a community.

This is a moving conversation that honors women in their strength, commitment and innovation. And is the perfect way to kick off this momentous week!
https://smartfromthestart.org/

Meet Cherie Craft:

Cherie Craft is a native of inner city Boston, where she’s raised 5 children. She’s dedicated her life to educating children and empowering families living in challenging situations. Having studied Sociology and Counseling Psychology, she began her career in Pediatrics at Boston City Hospital and is now the Founder/CEO and Executive Director of Smart from the Start, a community engagement and family support organization that promotes the healthy development of young children and families. Additionally, for 22 years Ms. Craft has served as senior faculty with the National Institute for Family Centered Care, and after recently stepping down from the Community Board of Children’s Hospital Boston, Ms. Craft was appointed to the Maternal Mortality Review Committee and Maternal Child Health Council of DC. Ms. Craft engages in national and international speaking engagements and is a member of the NAACP, Urban League, and International Society for the Prevention of Child Abuse, among other organizations.