CHICAGO — The Chicago Red Stars today announced the two winners of the 2021 #SHEINSPIRESME Award: Sarah Taylor, the winner of the adult category, is the Founder of Yo Soy Ella Inc. and Rosie Quinn, winner of the youth category, is the Co-founder of Coming up Rosies. The #SHEINSPIRESME Award is an annual award presented to women who exemplify leadership, practice social responsibility, and inspire and uplift their community.
“We are excited to honor Sarah and Rosie with our fourth annual #SHEINSPIRESME Award. The work they have done for their communities is truly remarkable,” said Chicago Red Stars Chief Business Officer, Vicky Lynch. “Thank you to everyone who applied, hearing your stories and accomplishments was incredibly awe-inspiring."
Taylor founded Yo Soy Ella Inc. in 2012 to act as a support system for Latinas, and all women of color, and enrich their mental and emotional wellness. Yo Soy Ella Inc. offers a variety of services meant to empower women to unlock their true potential including support groups for participants overcoming mental and emotional limitations, educational and legal resources for Latina women looking for a pathway to citizenship, support for victims and survivors of domestic abuse and more. As a daughter of immigrants, Taylor witnessed her family’s urgency to seek opportunities to move the family forward. Through this experience, she inherited a passion to assist women in improving their quality of life.
“Marginalized groups deserve psychological safety and sense of belonging when orientating people towards healing,” said Taylor. “Any act(s) of support to help reimagine and normalize the work of therapy and counsel for today’s community of women makes incredible impact for healthy individuals, families and communities.”
Quinn was inspired to start the nonprofit Coming Up Rosies when her parents turned one of her own paintings into a headscarf she could wear on days she didn’t feel like inviting comments on her alopecia. Coming Up Rosies’ mission is to restore confidence, happiness and pride to anyone struggling with low self-esteem during their medical journey, especially bald children. They also deliver “Smile Kits” to children to create their very own head scarves and superhero capes. This past year, 10-year-old Quinn and her mom also wrote the award-winning book “My Hair Went On Vacation” with all proceeds from book sales benefitting the nonprofit.
"I'm so joyful, thankful and honored to receive the #SHEINSPIRESME award. This award inspires me to go further and reach for the stars to make sure that no one feels ashamed of how they look. It is truly not about the award, it's about helping others to feel like they can stand out confidently - that's our job at Coming Up Rosies,” said Quinn. “A big thank you to Chicago Red Stars for uplifting children who standout to make a difference. Another thank you to the other two finalists, Charlotte and Shayla - I love your causes. Keep on being an inspiration for others to support and follow."
The two winners were recognized during a celebration at halftime during the Chicago Red Stars match against the Orlando Pride. The winners received a #SHEINSPIRESME commemorative plaque, a grant to continue their work in the community donated from the CRS Cares Foundation and tickets to the 2022 Chicago Red Stars home opener or a match of their choosing. To learn more about the winners, please visit www.chicagoredstars.com/sheinspiresme.
About the Chicago Red Stars Established in 2007, the Red Stars were a founding member of the former Women’s Professional Soccer and would later become one of the original eight teams to form the National Women’s Soccer League in 2013. The Red Stars have made the playoffs in six consecutive years from 2015-2020, clinching the team’s first appearance in the NWSL Championship in the 2019 season as well as appearing in the NWSL’s Challenge Cup Final in 2020.