She Will Bloom Founder Simonee Shukla Honored with 2026 New Jersey Governor's Volunteerism Award

On October 18, 2026, Simonee Shukla, founder and executive director of She Will Bloom, received the 2026 New Jersey State Governor's Volunteerism Award Medal in the Emergency Services / First Responders category. Presented during a ceremony at Grounds For Sculpture in New Jersey, the individual honor recognizes her commitment to community service. The state awards celebrate volunteers whose work strengthens the communities they serve.

As a high school senior, Simonee has built her work around a simple belief: people deserve clear health information, dignity, and access to the resources they need. She founded She Will Bloom to support women's health education and menstrual health awareness, and to help make conversations that are often met with stigma easier to have. Through the organization, she leads community initiatives, gathers menstrual health supplies, and works to connect underserved communities with essential resources.

Her service also extends beyond the nonprofit. Simonee volunteers as an EMT cadet with the Kendall Park First Aid & Rescue Squad and is pursuing her EMT certification. Separate from her leadership of She Will Bloom, this role reflects her willingness to keep learning and to support people when they need care. The award's Emergency Services / First Responders category recognizes her individual service, rather than the nonprofit's work in women's health.

For She Will Bloom, this milestone is an opportunity to recognize the person behind the mission while keeping that mission at the center. Access to menstrual health supplies, reliable information, and respectful conversations remains the organization's focus. We are grateful for the care Simonee brings to this work and for the volunteers and community partners who help carry it forward. Together, we look forward to continuing that practical, community-centered service.