Elayne Bennett

So in 1987, two years after the birth of her first child, she wanted to ease back into the workaday world on a part-time basis. Fat chance. Today, 13 years (and another son) later, she’s the founder and president of the Best Friends Foundation, a nondenominational, apolitical organization that helps roughly 5,000 adolescent girls (grades 4-12) in 26 cities and 90 schools nationwide find “self-respect through self-restraint.”Ms. Bennett is the 2000 recipient of this nation's prestigious American Institute of Public Service's "Jefferson Award." The award was presented to Ms. Bennett for her work in mentoring and encouraging adolescent girls. The award was established by Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis in 1972 in recognition of people who have forged new paths in service to the nation.

Best Friend’s mission is simple – encourage girls – through peer support, adult mentoring and enlightenment – to abstain from drugs, alcohol and sex. Recognition for the nonprofit foundation, an idea whose quiet success reflects that of its creator, has come from the White House and a range of civic organizations, including the Urban League. TV Shows such as ABC’s “Nightline” and “CBS Sunday Morning” have also lauded Best Friends.

In her speeches Bennett talks about her work with Best Friends, the importance of community involvement and mentoring in raising children, and the phenomenal success rate of this program that sees 100% of its participants graduate from High School and now boasts graduates who have completed college and are attending Medical School.