Millie’s Bookshelf is proud to announce the selection of Executive Director Katie Howland as a 2020 #AerieREAL Changemaker. Along with the title comes a $20,000 grant that will be used to further the mission and vision of Millie’s Bookshelf.

“I am beyond honored to have been selected as one of Aerie’s Changemakers alongside such an incredible group of visionary women,” said Howland. “We are humbled at Aerie’s generosity and can’t begin to describe the impact that this grant will have on our operations in Iraq.”

With the $20,000 generously awarded by Aerie's Changemaker initiative, Millie's Bookshelf will create the first school library in Sinjar Province, primarily serving survivors of the 2014 Yazidi genocide. The library will be housed at Al Hateen High School and feature reading material in the Arabic, Kurmanji Kurdish, and English languages. This project will be implemented in partnership with local Yazidi nonprofit, Nadia’s Initiative.

Aerie, an American Eagle-owned lifestyle brand, launched the #AerieREAL Changemaker initiative to invest $400,000 into the dreams of 20 U.S. changemakers. Through the Changemaker Initiative, Aerie is funding the visions of a select group of young women who are seeking to make a difference in their communities. This initiative aims to inspire and encourage young women to step up and make the world a better place through leadership, advocacy, and philanthropic partnerships.

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