Set a Goal, Take it Global by Sue Van Der Hout
by Sue Van Der Hout
Worrying about your daughters’ futures? Dr. Phil tells us that children are a blank slate where the same gender parent wields the biggest piece of chalk. Stirring the brew that is girl to woman, there’s genetics, biology, environment, choice and chance, all fired by fiercely competitive social, economic and political forces. An exceptional mother and daughter, Mary-Jo and Jennifer Corriero share their winning way: building character through attitude and goal setting and how Jennifer has realized her dream with the creation of a website to help youth collaborate on online projects and make the world a better place.
SET A GOAL, TAKE IT GLOBAL
Interviews by Sue Van Der Hout
Who is Jennifer Corriero?
I began with a dream of bridging the gap between technology and communication. While roller blading with Michael Furdyk in 1999, we discussed our passion for helping youth change the world for the better. We launched TakingiTGlobal.org ("TIG") in 1999 and by 2000, it was real. TIG is a web-based platform for exchanging information, ideas and connections for improving communities and the planet. Today TIG has over 1 million visitors a day, 170,000 members, a youth led staff of 30, and an international presence.
| TIG is a webspace platform for exchanging information, ideas and connections for improving communities and the planet. Today TIG has over 1M visitors a day, 165,000 members, a youth led staff of 30, and an international presence. |
When you think of the TIG as a person, place or thing, what do you see?
My visual of TIG is a community center. It is one that is revitalized, a hub of activity. It is one of exchange; where people are sharing and helping each other. My sense is one of play, learning and action.
| My visual of TIG is a community center…. a hub of activity. …. where people are sharing and helping each other. |
What was your main concern as Jennifer’s mom?
Jennifer is my eldest daughter. My youngest daughter Nicole is a Harvard graduate who is currently at Windsor Law School. My son, Joseph is studying economics at the University of Toronto. While the kids were growing up, my husband’s focus was sports. Mine was education. I wanted to make sure that the girls would excel with their education and develop their independence so that they wouldn’t suffer oppression.
| My husband’s focus was sports. Mine was education. I wanted to make sure that the girls would excel with their education… |
I wanted to learn from the past. I was raised in a traditional male chauvinist Italian family. I experienced one year of university at University of Western Ontario, then my parents told me that they needed me to work at the family restaurant. I left university to work there. That affected my goals for my girls. I didn’t want my daughters to feel dependent. I wanted them to be confident and independent so that they could do whatever they wanted to do.
| I didn’t want my daughters to feel dependent. I wanted them to be confident that they could do whatever they wanted to do |
At 35, I wanted to go back to university and finish my degree. Married with three children, Economic pressures – mortgage, family responsibilities , etc. intervened – so I made my focus the children’s education. I told my kids that I don´t care what you choose, but you have to set a goal. Set your goal, then go after it, be ‘definite of purpose’ and you will succeed.
| I told my kids: I don’t care what you choose, but you have to set a goal. Set your goal, then go after it. |
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01.05.2008
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