Girls Inc. of Tarrant County hosted its Annual Celebration Breakfast on Mar. 8, International Women’s Day. The event celebrated strong women who have worked hard to make the Tarrant County community better, as well as equally hard-working and strong Girls, Inc. program participants.
Ashley Nfonga and Emily Morales (pictured above), who were selected from a large number of Girls Inc. participants nationwide, were presented with Smart Girl Awards, which are scholarships from Girls Inc. National. The Girls Inc. National Scholars Program selects outstanding young women for exemplifying the Girls Inc. mission of inspiring all girls to be strong, smart, and bold. Recipients are role models for other girls who demonstrate a commitment to achieving academically and serving their communities.
Ashley Nfonga, pictured with Rachel Haugabook, Girls Inc. of Tarrant County Senior Program Director
Ashley was presented with a $500 8th grade scholarship and Emily was one of 13 girls nationwide to be presented with a $20,000 college scholarship from Girls Inc. National. Both girls have been long-time participants in Girls Inc. of Tarrant County programs and both attend Fort Worth’s Young Women’s Leadership Academy.
This year’s Bold Woman Award was presented to Dr. Gleniece Robinson. During Dr. Robinson’s tenure in the Fort Worth Library System, she created many opportunities in early learning for children. She broke through racial and gender discrimination that plagued her childhood in Alabama where black women were prohibited from even entering a public library. She stands as a strong and steady voice for education and advocacy. Dr. Robinson’s leadership led to a citywide celebration of Women’s History Month in Fort Worth.
2018 Strong Woman Award Recipient, Dr. Gleniece Robinson, pictured with Mia Hall and Brittany Carnes, Girls Inc. of Tarrant County Board of Directors
Other awards presented at the event were:
Strong Partner Award – Susan Gruppi and Jessica Worman, M2G Ventures
Volunteer of the Year Award – Jami and Chris Scott
The 2018 Annual Celebration Breakfast’s keynote speaker was Dr. Isha James, who shared thought-provoking and inspiring words with the attendees. Her themes for the morning were “Learn all you can while you can”, and “No one can take your education from you.” She also emphasized that we can achieve more as a community if we come together.
Jennifer Limas, Girls Inc. of Tarrant County CEO gave 2017 Year in Review comments, which included that 20,720 girls had been served through the organization last year.
*Photos courtesy of Paige Killian Photography
ABOUT GIRLS INC. OF TARRANT COUNTY
Girls Inc. of Tarrant County was established in 1976 as the Arlington Girls Club by a group of community leaders that saw a need for comprehensive programs for girls in their community. Our local affiliate entered the Girls Club network at an exciting time when our mission was progressing to provide programs, opportunities, and advocacy promoting equity for girls. Through the decades, we evolved from the Arlington Girls Club to Girls Inc. of Tarrant County, this drive for equity and determination to provide life-changing opportunities to girls has remained consistent and grown exponentially.
Girls Inc. is needed more now than ever. Today girls represent the fastest growing segment of the juvenile justice system. The U.S. still has the highest teen pregnancy rate among developed nations. And sadly, the most easily overlooked reality is that girls are still frequently left out of the highest expectations and opportunities in math, science, technology, and academic achievement and lack the skills to be confident leaders in their schools and communities. Find out more on the organization’s website.
