From classrooms and boardrooms to the media we consume, the impact of gender disparity can be felt in nearly every aspect of society. U.S. women only earn 82% of what their male peers do and 25% of girls between the ages of 15 and 19 are neither enrolled in education or employed, compared to 10% of boys globally, according to UNICEF. Girls Incorporated of St. Louis works to change these numbers and make gender inequality a thing of the past. For more than 40 years, the nonprofit has been dedicated to inspiring girls and young women to realize their potential.

“Our mission is to support girls by providing education and cultural programs in a safe environment that allows them to rise to their aspirations,” CEO and president Cheryl Jones notes. “We want to inspire the next generation to continue to dream and develop.” Girls Inc. begins working with young women in early childhood and continues to offer support with mentorship and scholarships through college. The local chapter serves more than 9,000 girls annually. Its services include STEM-based programming; summer and after-school offerings in subjects like wellness, media literacy, leadership, performing arts and athletics; and outreach initiatives designed to help girls navigate gender, social and economic barriers.

One of the nonprofit’s major initiatives is Project Accelerate. The program is dedicated to addressing workplace inequalities, especially among women of color in leadership positions. “Project Accelerate works with young women as they transition from high school into college and the workplace,” Jones explains. “We want to change their educational and career trajectory by providing scholarships, mentorship, coaching and social and emotional support to pave career pathways that they were previously excluded from. By increasing the support and training offered to young women, we expect to see growth in female leadership.”

A key component of Girls Inc.’s mission is mentorship. Jones notes that it serves as the foundation for all of the nonprofit’s programming, including helping prepare women for success in fields where they have been historically underrepresented. “Young people are navigating the maze called life,” Jones says. “It’s always good to have someone they can talk to about opportunities and challenges who has already been a trailblazer in that field. All of our initiatives tie back to how important it is to have a mentor.” Girls Inc. participants also develop the necessary skills to become mentors themselves through peer-to-peer opportunities.

Girls Inc. will be celebrating mentors and trailblazers like Laurna Godwin, Joan Berkman and Adrian Bracy who have set the course for women at its annual Strong, Smart, Bold Luncheon on Nov. 8 at The Ritz-Carlton, St. Louis. The event is one of the nonprofit’s largest annual fundraisers, offering it the chance to share its mission and the success of the girls and women who have been a part of the organization. “So many young women are eager to advance in their careers,” Jones notes. “While Girls Inc. is just one avenue, we’ve enabled thousands of them to reach their goals. With support from the community, we can continue to provide pathways to elevate the next generation of workforce in St. Louis.”

Girls Incorporated of St. Louis inspires all girls to be strong, smart and bold by providing educational, recreational and cultural programs. Its annual Strong, Smart, Bold Luncheon is Nov. 8 at The Ritz-Carlton, St. Louis Pictured on the cover: Laurna Godwin, Joan Berkman, Cheryl Jones and Adrian Bracy with Girls Inc. participants Raina, Kaleigh and Deja. For more information, call 314.385.8088 or visit girlsincstl.org.

Cover design by Julie Streiler
Cover photo by Colin Miller of Strauss Peyton Photography

Pictured at top: Girls Inc. participants Raina, Kaleigh and Deja
Photo: Colin Miller of Strauss Peyton Photography