In Her Own Words
Maya Smith, Executive Director, Born This Way Foundation
I was nine months pregnant with my first child when I first met Lady Gaga and her mom, Cynthia Germanotta, and their vision of a kinder, braver world resonated for me as a nonprofit leader and a soon-to-be mother.
My parents immigrated to the U.S. so that my brother and I could have futures filled with opportunities and choices and have instilled the values that I am now fortunate enough to pass on to my children. They are two of the bravest people I know.
Kindness doesn’t need an invitation.
It doesn’t need to be expensive and it doesn’t need to be complicated. Anyone can give their time, money, or talents to spread kindness by supporting a local organization, helping their neighbor, or being there for a family member.
Despite all of the negativity that surrounds us sometimes, there’s always something we can do to move the needle in a positive direction.
You can hold the door open at the grocery store, pick up a piece of trash blowing in the wind, you can smile at someone.
It all matters.
