Changemaker Power Of Girl Founder Lily Riccio And Her Favorite Blueberry Coffee Cake

Simmer + Sauce: Most 15-year-old girls do not have their own digital platform encouraging female empowerment and the shattering of industry-wide glass ceilings. What led you to create Power of Girl?

Lily Riccio: At a pretty young age, I discovered the joy of making movies. I knew I wanted to create movies and direct films one day. When I began to look for female role models in this field, I was coming up with a pretty short list. I wondered if other girls my age had the same problem. So, I thought it would be cool to create a platform that brings together successful women from all different backgrounds and careers, telling their stories and sharing their advice to give girls the confidence to pursue their passion.

Simmer + Sauce: You inspire others. Who inspires you?

Lily Riccio: I find inspiration from a variety of people. When it comes to caring for the environment, I’m inspired by Jane Goodall; when it comes to writing, I’ve admired Maya Angelou; and in day-to-day life, I’m inspired by Mother Teresa’s compassion and kindness.

Simmer + Sauce: Are your family and friends supportive of your activism? And have you encountered any negative criticism thus far?

Lily Riccio: My parents have always been my biggest supporters… and my two brothers, too! When I came up with the Power of Girl idea, my parents knew it would be a lot of work, but they encouraged me to go for it. They continually give me guidance and advice when I need it. My extended family, friends, and women I’ve reached out to have been super-supportive, always positive, and extremely encouraging.

Simmer + Sauce: You have listed your interviewees in 5 impressive categories: (1) Entrepreneurs + Business Women (2) Creators (3) Scientists + Engineers (4) Athletes and (5) World-Changers. How do you go about selecting your role models?

Lily Riccio: I’m always on the lookout for women who’ve made headlines, received recognition for significant accomplishments in their field or caught my eye on social media. Their educational paths, work ethic, creativity, and generous spirit have made them excellent role models.

Simmer + Sauce: As an avid photographer and videographer what are your thoughts on the many image-based social sharing sites like Instagram and Snapchat and the potential negative effects they have on girls growing up today?

Lily Riccio: I do like Instagram (a bit more than Snapchat) because it allows me to share photos I love and connect with friends. On the downside, Instagram can be a toxic environment. There are so many accounts/people with millions of followers who seem to have such perfect lives. I think it’s easy to get caught up in other people’s “perfect” worlds that they create online. It’s always nice to log off or delete the apps for a week to take a break and focus on the real world!

Simmer + Sauce: You have interviewed some impressive women so far. Is there someone in particular you hope to land an interview with and if so, why?

Lily Riccio: I feel so very fortunate to have landed interviews with numerous accomplished women and many “female firsts.” It would be fantastic to also connect with Kathryn Bigelow. Kathryn was the first woman to win the Best Director Oscar and I feel she’s a terrific example of defying the odds and making history!

Simmer + Sauce: I don’t have daughters (only sons) and my sister and I were fortunate to have grown up in a female-centered/empowered household led by my mom. What advice can you offer to girls lacking in support?

Lily Riccio: Unfortunately, not everyone is surrounded by a network of support within their family. What I’ve learned by reaching out to dozens of professional women is that there are so many people who are more than happy to make time in their busy day to instill confidence, offer encouraging words, or share advice with the next generations of girls. Perhaps girls lacking in support can reach out to a teacher, coach, or neighbor for guidance, ask about a mentoring program that may be available at school, or surround themselves with a positive group of peers by joining a youth group or school club. One of the designers I interviewed, Maya Ish-Shalom, told me, “I want the next generation of girls to believe in themselves. You’re capable of much more than you think.” She’s absolutely right.

Simmer + Sauce: You have achieved a tremendous amount in a short period of time. What’s next for you and Power of Girl?

Lily Riccio: The overwhelming response to Power of Girl has been incredible this first year. I’m truly blown away by everyone’s encouragement. It gives me energy and excitement to continue to expand the reach of this platform. I plan to incorporate video interviews on my website, offer seminars for girls my age, and hopefully grant scholarships with future corporate or philanthropic support.

Simmer + Sauce: What is your dream job?

Lily Riccio: My dream job is to be a film director. Ever since I was little, I’ve always loved telling stories and especially making videos. This job would be an absolute dream as I simply love every element of it– writing, creating, collaborating, and making something special that you can call your own!

Simmer + Sauce: What does the world need more of?

Lily Riccio: The world needs more sympathy. Compassion goes a long way and the feeling of being understood is powerful. That’s why I think Power of Girl is so important I’m providing girls with relatable role models that they can look up to and hopefully feel similar to.

When I asked Lily (who is also an avid baker in her free time) to share a favorite family recipe, she did not hesitate and offered up a lovely blueberry-sour cream coffee cake she enjoys making with her mom. This is a simple but delicious coffee cake that is easy to whip up and works well any day of the week. My family thoroughly enjoyed this tasty cake for breakfast recently and I will think of Lily every time I make it in the future. This recipe is from the Breads, Rolls & Pastries Cookbook (Yankee Books, 1981). Please note, that I have adapted the recipe format slightly, but no changes were made to the ingredients or quantities.