February 2009 - Junior League of Minneapolis

85 LEAGUERS: AALIYAH SHAFIQ
EMBRACING THE LEAGUE. EMBRACING OPPORTUNITIES.
By Sarah Broughton, Internal Communications
FUN FACTS
Joined JL Atlanta:
2002
Transferred to JLM:
2008
Education:
BA in German from Harvard University,
MBA from Harvard Business School
Occupation:
Associate Marketing Manager, General Mills
Fun Fact:
Won the “Hat Award” at the 2008 Twin City
Polo Classic
Advice to New Members:
“Embrace the League and opportunities.
Embrace the women as friends and embrace
the opportunity for service.”
Just two years out of college, Aaliyah was looking to connect more deeply with the community.
With her manager’s support and sponsorship she was admitted into the 2002 New Member
class in the Junior League of Atlanta. It was a means to meet other like-minded professional
women who are interested in giving back to the community. A great place to make new friends!
The Junior League of Atlanta has some differences from Minneapolis. Sponsorship and an
interview are required to apply. Joining the group of nearly 4000 women still allowed
opportunities to get to know others with smaller groups of new members. Social activities and
community projects brought the group together up to twice monthly. Some familiar activities
include a city bus tour and a “Nearly New” retail store.
Since moving to Minneapolis to work for General Mills, Aaliyah has jumped right into the
culture and activities of the Twin Cities. In addition to the transfer group of JLM, Aaliyah has
volunteered her time on the Committee for the 19 th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday
Breakfast, Harvard undergrad admission interviews, and is active with the Delta Sigma Theta
Sorority. For fun, she is on a flag football team (both indoor and outdoor) through General
Mills and enjoys the cultural and sports events found in the Metro area.
Travel is a true passion for Aaliyah. Fluency in German allowed opportunities to work abroad in
Germany and London. While in business school, Aaliyah visited nine countries in just two years.
These trips did not follow the typical tourist itinerary, but instead included several memorable
moments such as meeting President Pervez Musharraf in Pakistan, the former President Vicente
Fox in Mexico, walking along the Great Wall in China, and having a military escort in the
demilitarized zone between North and South Korea. There are not many who can claim to have
had a foot in both Korea’s at once. Future trips are planned for Aruba, the Dominican Republic
and Mexico. It sounds like Aaliyah is searching out the sunshine!
Aaliyah’s energy and passion for life spill into her action-oriented life while setting a great
example for Junior Leaguers on how to positively impact the community. Her advice to new
members can apply to all: “Embrace the League and opportunities. Embrace the women as
friends and embrace the opportunity for service.”
GET THE WORD OUT:
TESTING JLM
PERSONAL ADS
By Kelsey Johnson, Communications
Committee, Advertising Manager
Do you have kids clothes that you
want to sell? A room to rent? Need
a babysitter? Why not advertise with
the Junior League?
Personal ads in the Monday MINI
and the Monthly MINI are now
available for Junior League
Members for only $20.
The MINI is produced eight times
per year running from September
to May (December/January is a
combined issue).
Please email Kelsey Johnson at
marketing@jlminneapolis.org if
you are interested in personal ads
or if you know of a business that
would like to advertise (standard
rates apply; discounts for multiple
advertising opportunities).
PARIS FOR RENT
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