Mary Rourke

My career in journalism has taken me from Newsweek magazine in New York to the Los Angeles Times in California where I was on staff until recently and am now a contributor. I am also a fiction writer. My first novel was published in 2005, my second is due to be published in 2010.  From the instant that Anna McDonnell told me her idea for "5ForFairness" I wanted to be part of it. It's my chance to give something back for the life changing experience I had as a student at an all-girls highschool. I started freshman year with no sense of myself apart from my large, tightly knit family. During the next four years I saw my school mates, all girls, take top honors in every category, win every scholarship, serve as captain of every club and team. Each year a girl was named valedictorian of the senior class and another girl was named salutatorian. I blossomed. I was appointed to the leadership team as a sophomore, served as president of my class as a junior and vice-president of the Student Council in my senior year. By the time I entered college I knew for a fact that girls can set high goals, work hard and achieve them. In the years since then I have learned that many girls face obstacles I would not have imagined. With help, mentoring and support they have a better chance of realizing their dreams. I get this, and I want to help.