When I think about “strong, smart, and bold”, I envision my daughters Charlie and Gracie. As an alumnus myself and the positive impact it had on me, I knew my daughters would be involved in Girls Inc. when they entered school. Charlie is currently in her 6^th year at Girls Inc, while Gracie who is now a senior, is a 6-year alumni and former GIT. Girls Inc. has positively impacted my family by allowing my daughters to have the confidence they need to be able to give back to their community, pursue their dreams, and give back to the community they live in.

Charlie’s journey started in kindergarten and immediately loved the connections that were made with her peers and staff. She learned how to communicate with her peers and develop connections with girls outside of her school. She has become a role model and leader in and out of school. She has also learned to give back to her community.  After working the lemonade stands in the summer, she has learned how to give back to her community by helping develop a business plan and how to navigate donating after the lemonade stand. Gracie also worked the lemonade stands in the summers, while she was at Girls Inc. After two patriarchs of our family passed away at a local assisted living facility, they partnered with their papaw to create weekly donut hand out at that facility.  Thanks to Girl’s Inc., my daughters have learned to pay it forward by giving back to the community they live in.

I really feel that Girls Inc. does a wonderful job teaching young ladies about STEM. Thanks to the variety of classes that are offered throughout the year, Charlie has been able to choose classes that intrigue her. In fact, she has found a passion for STEM thanks to the class and the collaboration between Girls Inc. and Cummins. She has learned that women are strong and smart enough to excel in engineering like their counterparts. Currently, her dream is to become a computer engineer and enjoys all things STEM. Gracie will be pursuing a degree in healthcare after high school graduation. She said, “I loved the class where I was able learn about the human body, the heart, circulation, and how to keep the body healthy. I was able to be hands on with the My Girlfriend Zelda, which is a life size teaching doll with flaps that open to reveal internal organs. This class gave me the ability to learn about my own body, how it works, and how to keep myself healthy. After this class, I just knew I wanted to work in healthcare and be able to help others in need. I know it takes being strong, smart, and bold to be successful in pre-med and med school. Thanks to Girls Inc., I have the confidence to pursue my dreams.”

Charlie and Gracie are both bold, they have learned how to embrace their ethics, character, and voice while being able to engage in many aspects of their lives. We are forever grateful for the amazing staff that embraces each girl in the program. They are always working hard to be amazing role models by giving each girl a voice and the ability to feel heard, while also encouraging kindness and confidence. Charlie’s confidence has really blossomed over the years. She has been a leader in and out of school, assists others in need, and is able to stand proud in what she believes in thanks to the lessons she has learned from the staff at Girls Inc.

Gracie, who is now a senior in high school, contributes her ability to face adversities to the late Marty Lewis. Marty was a long-time staff member at Girls Inc.  Marty was like a second grandmother to Gracie, who taught her how to stand tall in her beliefs and the ability to be resilient against all forms of bullying. Marty gave her added confidence in herself and her abilities as a student athlete. In high school, Gracie has shown great resilience in her ability to overcome adversities such as compromising her ethics for the sake of others, peer bullying, and peer isolation. As a family, we are forever grateful to Marty and her ability to connect with Gracie on such a deep level. She is able to speak out against bullying and stands with those effected by bullying. Gracie is also a successful student athlete and volunteers her time at EXCEL, SMS, and SCIRC cross country meets on her free time, to pay back to the sport that saved her life as a freshman. She demonstrates her resilience by following her dreams of becoming a collegiate athlete in cross country and track & field.

Looking at the personal growth my daughters have made, I am forever grateful to Girls Inc and staff for embracing not only my daughters but the girls of America. The future of our young ladies will be bright because of Girls Inc.