Girls Inc. Celebration of International Women's Day

press release: The age of strong, smart & bold women is here! Join Girls Inc. of Greater Madison in celebrating the positive influence we all have in our community and on each other!

Dine and connect with young girls and other exceptional women, learn about what Girls Inc. has accomplished and the growth of the program city-wide, and engage in activities designed to encourage strong, smart & bold conversation and participation.

This year we are featuring three strong, smart & bold women speakers — an ultra-marathoner/author, a photographer/activist, and a singer/songwriter. Their messages about overcoming challenges in order to succeed are certain to empower all in attendance. Learn more about these women below.

We hope you can join in this special celebration! Whether you can make the event or not, please consider sponsoring a Girls Inc. participant (or her family member) to attend — we have an easy option to donate this opportunity in the ticketing section. All proceeds from the event will support Girls Inc. of Greater Madison programming.

Mirna Valerio : STRONG

Mirna, aka @TheMirnavator, is an educator, coach, diversity practitioner, blogger, author of "A Beautiful Work In Progress" and ultra-marathoner who believes that many of life's lessons can be learned by engaging oneself in the pursuit of wisdom gained through moving your body in nature. Learn more at Fat Girl Running and in this REI film.  

Eunique Jones Gibson : SMART

Eunique uses her work with photography and digital marketing to build community through culturally conscious media. In 2013, Eunique launched the Because of Them, We Can™ campaign during Black History Month with a mission to empower the next generation to honor the legacy of their ancestors through their own pursuit of greatness. View Eunique's work.  

Karen Rodriguez : BOLD

Singer/songwriter Karen Rodriguez reached national attention on season 10 of American Idol, where she became the first bilingual finalist. In 2015, Karen began releasing 'Spanglish' covers of popular songs on her YouTube channel. Karen is currently signed with Roc Nation Latin, an entertainment company founded by Shawn "JAY-Z" Carter, and releasing original songs in both Spanish and in English. Learn more about Karen.

Goodman Community Center is proud to be the local affiliate for Girls Inc. of Greater Madison. Girls Inc. is a national organization that inspires all girls to be strong, smart and bold through direct service and advocacy. In November, Girls Inc. of Greater Madison was one of five affiliates (out of 82 affiliates across the U.S. and Canada) to be named a 2017 Outstanding Affiliate of the Year. This life-changing program utilizes a comprehensive approach to whole girl development which helps equip girls to navigate gender, economic, and social barriers and grow up healthy, educated, and independent.

Locally Girls Inc. has expanded from 3 sites serving 125 girls to 14 current sites, with a goal of 20 sites serving 900 girls throughout Madison by 2020. A Growth Grant from Girls Inc. National will aid in the expansion efforts. Programming is currently offered at elementary, middle and high schools along with community centers and MSCR sites. More information at goodmancenter.org/girlsinc.

The Girls Inc. Celebration of International Women’s Day is generously sponsored by American Family Insurance, Overture Center for the Arts, Summit Credit Union, Zendesk, CapSpecialty, Gail Ambrosius Chocolatier and Ipswitch.