Mary J. Blige Comes Back Home
Surprise Visit to Roosevelt High School Inspires Students to Reach High

(May 12, 2008) No  one can say that Mary J. Blige had it easy. She had it rough. What seems to come easy to her now is a determination that young girls and women have the support and the help early on to live successful and fulfilling lives.

Miss Blige returned to Roosevelt High School last week to announce the launch The Mary J. Blige & Steve Stoute Foundation for the Advancement of Women Now which will provide scholarships, grants, and programs to help young women gain the confidence and skills they need to achieve success. Working in collaboration with the Westchester Jewish Community Services, the foundation, known as FFAWN, is reaching out to young ladies in southern Westchester.

What also seemed quite natural for Miss Blige was the genuine pleasure she took from meeting the Roosevelt students. With a crush of national and regional news media angling for her attention, she gave the exclusive sit-down interview to the school's broadcast journalism students.