Project Accelerate

The Reality

Women are almost half of the workforce in the United States, but they still only earn an average of 82% of what men earn. Despite small gains in the pipeline, women remain underrepresented across the corporate ladder. Women of color account for only 4 percent of C-suite leaders, a number that hasn’t moved significantly in the past three years. Only one in four organizations is making the advancement of women a top ten priority. And perhaps most concerning, there are now fewer women in the pipeline to fill executive roles than there were in 2019.

Our Strategy

Girls Inc. Project Accelerate speeds the entry of young women, especially women of color, into positions of influence and leadership, particularly in sectors where pay equity and gender disparities are far too prevalent.

Our comprehensive programs advance young women’s educational attainment and skill development, positioning them for professional leadership roles in an evolving work environment.

We leverage partnerships with corporations and social impact organizations to support change towards equity in the workplace and access to meaningful careers.

Our Impact

Through Project Accelerate, young women attain relevant leadership, social emotional learning (SEL), and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) skills that will help them throughout their career trajectory, and

• graduate high school with the skills and confidence to pursue their post-secondary plans;
• successfully navigate through their college experience;
• participate in valuable paid internship opportunities;
• connect and establish relationships with mentors and coaches;
• pursue career and postgraduate education; and
• experience rewarding and well-compensated employment opportunities.

STRONG. SMART. BOLD.

Girls Inc. inspires all girls to be strong, smart, and bold. In collaboration with schools, community partners, and hundreds of volunteers, we provide programs for girls ages 5-18 and continuing mentorship for our alumnae through college and early career. Our evidence-based programming is delivered by trained professionals who focus on the development of the whole girl, supporting, mentoring, and guiding girls in an affirming, pro-girl environment so they grow into healthy, educated, and independent women. In partnership with corporations and social impact organizations, our participants are introduced to a broad range of career opportunities. At Girls Inc., girls learn to value themselves, discover and develop their inherent strengths, and receive the support they need to navigate the challenges they face.

The Girls Inc. Experience works. An external validation study has proven its efficacy. Young women’s voices are inherent to this success; Girls Inc.’s greatest strength is a reciprocal bond and connection with girls and young women. Girls Inc., an expert in this field, is hearing these young women say they need “more Girls Inc.” after high school as they navigate some of life’s most challenging transitions.

Project Accelerate is a targeted extension of the Girls Inc. Experience, designed to support young women through their next critical transitions—from high school through college and from college to career. The project will prepare young women leaders not merely to succeed in the workplace environments, but also to affect cultural change from within.

YOUR INVESTMENT

• Increase leadership, mentorship, and sponsorship opportunities for women in your organization;
• Create career exploration opportunities;
• Offer meaningful paid internships for Girls Inc. high school and college students; and
• Make a financial investment to grow the pipeline of tomorrow’s leaders.

Information Booklet High School Internship Guide