Janice Ellig’s Post

On Wednesday, May 7, Girls Inc. of New York City hosted its signature Lifting Girls Up Gala—and as Gala Chair, I was gratified to see a SOLD-OUT room filled with committed supporters. We came together around a shared purpose: HER DREAMS, OUR FUTURE—a movement to ensure that girls have choices and the power to define her own path.   The highlight of the evening was a College Shower celebrating 25 remarkable Girls Inc. participants—many first-generation college-bound—who spoke so eloquently about how Girls Inc. has helped shape their journeys. Their words were powerful, their dreams even more so.   We were deeply inspired by our honorees who received Girls Inc.’s Strong, Smart, and Bold Award: Ursula Burns –the first Black woman CEO of a Fortune 500 company Suzanne Yoon – a pioneering force and one of the first women to found and lead a private equity firm LaChanze Sapp-Gooding – Broadway actor, director, producer and winner of multiple Tony Awards   And yes—Broadway came to 25 Broadway, with unforgettable performances from the cast of JOY, the phenomenal Darius de Haas, and the incomparable Orfeh.   Girls Inc. of NYC currently serves 10,000 girls annually, and we’re aiming even higher, 25,000 in three years and then 50,000 strong. If you supported this event, you’re now part of this powerful movement to uplift the next generation of leaders. As the African proverb says: “If you educate a girl, you educate generations.” Join us on changing the planet— HER DREAMS, OUR FUTURE.