More than 75 women from Shasta and Tehama counties gathered on a recent Friday at the Gaia Hotel in Anderson for the 2nd annual Girls Incorporated of the Northern Sacramento Valley Strong, Smart & Bold breakfast.
The mission of Girls Inc. is “inspiring all girls to be strong, smart, and bold.” The event celebrated the mission — “Inspiring all girls to be strong, smart, and bold” — and honored positive contributions of women in the area to the betterment of young girls in the North State.
Recipients of the 2009 Strong, Smart & Bold awards included Kristin Behrens of St. Elizabeth’s Hospital, Girls on the Run Shasta County founder Joanne Crosetti, and Susan Seamans and Anne Peterson, co-chairs of the Women’s Fund of the Shasta Regional Community Foundation. Barbara McIver, founding executive director of Girls Inc. NSV, was also honored for her contributions to the organization with an award named after her, which will continue to be given in the coming years to women who exemplify great commitment to the empowerment of young girls.
“Our event this year was a total success,” said Emily Westphal, executive director of Girls Inc. NSV. “We wanted this morning to be about starting and continuing vital dialogue about issues facing young girls in our communities and that is exactly what we accomplished.”
Guests of the Strong, Smart & Bold breakfast also learned more about the Girls Inc. organization, its recent partnership with Dove® in efforts to build self-esteem in young girls, and ways individual donors can continue to help Girls Inc. NSV provide services.
Girls Inc. NSV works with girls 9-18 in Shasta, Tehama and Glenn counties to combat risk factors such as adolescent pregnancy and sexually transmitted infection, low rates of educational achievement, increasing rates of alcohol and substance abuse, and relationship violence, through innovative programs. Girls Inc. NSV is also the regional partner for Girls Circle Association, offering programs, training, and support for Girls Circle and Boys Council. To date, Girls Inc. NSV has worked with nearly 400 girls and mothers through gender-specific programs to educate and inspire all girls to be strong, smart, and bold.
To learn more visit girlsincnsv.org.
