LifeChanger of the Year Nominee Profile

Jennifer Bricourt-Fray was nominated by her spouse, Jermaine V. Fray.

Mrs. Bricourt-Fray has been in education for the last 22 years and has served the education community, wearing many hats. She started out in a school in Nassau County as a long-term sub. Then she moved on to teaching in New Jersey, Connecticut, and, for the last 15 years, NYCPS (New York City Public Schools). She truly loves her job and loves working with the youth in high school. She loved it so much that while in her current school, she saw a need for a girl's empowerment group and started one. She has been running that group in her building for the last 10 years, but she has worked with girls throughout her career. Her reach spans back to girls becoming doctors, teachers, business owners, police officers, and more. She impacts their lives by staying connected to them from high school and beyond. She helps them see they are worth more than they ever thought possible. She inspires them to become valedictorians and salutatorians and sometimes pushes them to stand up for themselves. 

She has a way of making the students feel good about who they are and where they are. She believes that everyone needs a chance to participate in being accepted just as they are. She speaks with parents on the weekend, late in the afternoon or evening, and sometimes on Sundays. She sets up tea parties for the mothers and daughters of the group. She creates a safe space where the older girls who have changed their lives come back and speak to the new girls. She delegates power to all of them and gives them all a title so they feel empowered to take control of what the group experiences.

"For example, she has a president who rallies the girls to do more community service in and out of our school. Currently, the girls are working on raising funds to send to the Breast Cancer Foundation. They are always involved in giving back to their community, whether they are working for their school community or the community outside of the school. She helps them see that their value is being a partner with their surroundings," said Mr. Fray.

"My wife is amazing! She has attended weddings, baby showers, graduations, and more over the last 20 years. She serves as a surrogate mother in school and outside of school. These girls need her as much as she needs them. She wants them to work hard, do their best, and win in their lives. I believe she will keep doing this for the rest of her life. If you don't believe how awesome she is, ask one of her girls; they'll tell you," said Mr. Fray.