Philadelphia, PA (May 3, 2018) — More than 400 people attended the sold-out Girls Inc. of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey’s 16th annual Strong, Smart, and Bold Breakfast on May 2 at the Union League of Philadelphia, raising more than $120,000 for the organization. Emily Bittenbender, managing partner of Bittenbender Construction, LP; Simi Hoque, Associate Professor of Civil, Architectural, and Environmental Engineering at Drexel University; and Monica Malpass, WPVI-TV/Channel 6abc Action News co-anchor, were honored for their many accomplishments and for being extraordinary mentors and role models to the girls and women of Philadelphia and beyond.
Girls Inc. also honored Macquarie Investment Management as its Corporate Champion for Girls. Macquarie’s significant contributions include funding innovative and impactful programs and volunteerism, ensuring the success of Girls Inc. and the girls it serves. The firm’s annual Macquarie Investment Management Golf Charity Classic has also helped support our organization, most recently raising more than $100,000 for Girls Inc.
Shawn Lytle, deputy global head of Macquarie Investment Management and president of Delaware Funds® by Macquarie, accepted the award, adding: “At Macquarie, we want to ensure that children in Philadelphia, regardless of their race, gender, or socioeconomic status, have access to great programs that expand their minds and encourage participation beyond the classroom. We are proud to support Girls Inc. in its mission to deliver life-changing experiences to the girls of our region that will help develop them into future leaders.”
One dozen Girls Inc. girls spoke about the Girls Inc. programs and how their lives have been impacted by their participation. Executive Director, Dena Herrin, commented, “The success of this event and support of the community of funders, donors and volunteers makes all of our work possible creating the promising narratives of the girls we heard – future doctors, writers, CFOs, actors and engineers.” With hundreds of Philadelphia’s corporate, nonprofit and government leaders in the room, the organization had an important opportunity to tell the Girls Inc. story. Herrin added, “I spent most of yesterday responding to emails from breakfast attendees wanting to know how they can support the mission through mentoring, career exploration and investment.”
Girls Inc.’s mission is to inspire all girls to be strong, smart, and bold. Girls Inc.’s programming – in partnership with schools, the juvenile justice system, and at their offices – focuses on the development of the whole girl. A combination of long-lasting mentoring relationships, a pro-girl environment and research-based programming equips girls to lead fulfilling and productive lives and become role models in their community. More than 2,400 girls participate in Girls Inc. programs focused on healthy decision making, academic enrichment and life skills instruction in Philadelphia and Camden.
To learn more about Girls Inc. and how you can help the girls of the Greater Philadelphia region acquire the tools, the self-confidence and the role models they need to envision and achieve a bright future, contact Dena Herrin at DHerrin@Girlsincpa-nj.org or visit their website Girlsincpa-nj.org.