Taylor Swift Inspired A Needham Mother & Daughter To Give Back
Five years ago, a local teacher and her daughter launched NikaVika SisterHood, a Needham-based female empowerment coaching practice. Now, Gretchen Miller Johnson and her 15 year old daughter Anika Viktoria have been energized to do more. They found motivation in Taylor Swift’s charitable actions during her Eras Tour, Swift quietly donated to local food banks and hunger relief organizations. Gretchen and Anika are launching the 13 Days of Swift-Mas raffle. Undeniably, Taylor Swift inspired this Needham mother & daughter to give back and help food banks, and young women to feel empowered.
Gretchen and her daughter Anika Viktoria started a project last summer called “Feeling 13,” a play on Swift’s song “22.” That was the original fundraising project to help out area food banks. They’ve now taken it a step further with the 13 days of Swift-mas.
Here’s how it works. Everyone who buys a Swiftie Sticker for $13 is entered into a “woman-powered raffle prize.” A prize will be given away daily during the first 13 days of December. The final prize will be announced on December 13th, which is the music icon’s birthday.
Wildest Dreams
NikaVika SisterHood’s name comes from Anika Viktoria’s name, shortened. Gretchen and Anika recently shared their enthusiasm about the project, saying, “We’re excited to celebrate how Taylor has inspired us over the past few months, by having our project culminate on her birthday. Call it “Karma” that Taylor Swift inspired this Needham mother & daughter to give back,
According to a press release, The Johnsons are coaching local girls to sell their Swiftie Stickers as a community service project. 100% of profits (approximately $10.00 per sticker) will be split between two causes: 1) local food banks and 2) local girl-power coaching. The first 9 of the 13 activities with themes of “girl-powered, food insecurity activism” can be found at nikavikasisterhood.com.
Fearless
Anika and her mother are forging partnerships with female owned companies to help the with 13 Days of Swift-mas project. From Bianca Restaurant in Chestnut Hill to Abbott’s Frozen Custard in Needham. They are also working with Legendary Today Streetwear in Boston, and The ThinkingCaps Co. in Milton. Their involvement ranges from promotion to buying and selling stickers and donating raffle items.
You’ll find the 13 free coaching activities available online. However, there will be an in-person coaching session this Saturday, December 2 at the Milton Public Library from 9:30-11:30am. Girls, can dress in their favorite Eras outfit and bring a non-perishable food item, if so inclined. Those will be donated to the Milton Food Pantry. There will be Swiftie stickers available to purchase, too. Space is limited, so please email [email protected] to sign up for one of the four 30-minute sessions.
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