Local Leaders Proclaim Girls Inc. Day'

PINELLAS PARK, FL — On Monday, Nov. 8, Girls Inc. of Pinellas celebrated its 60th anniversary with a breakfast reception.

Mayor of Clearwater Frank Hibbard, Mayor of Pinellas Park Sandra Bradbury and Pinellas County Commissioner Pat Gerard were a few of the local dignitaries who attended to proclaim November 8 as Girls Inc. Day.

In 1961 Girls Inc. was known as Girls Club and the programs looked very different than what is offered today. Sixty years ago, girls learned knitting, cooking and baton twirling.

Today, Girls Inc.’s of Pinellas programming focuses on social and emotional wellness, leadership and STEAM (science, technology, engineers, arts and mathematics). It is serendipitous that its anniversary falls on International STEM/STEAM Day. The Nov. 8 date is a play on words NOV8 - (that’s “innovate”) making it the perfect date to inspire innovation.

Girls Inc. girls are more likely to attend school and be positively engaged in school. In fact, their school suspension rates are 79 percent lower. And 90 percent of Girls Inc. teens say they can use what they’ve learned to solve “real-life” problems in their communities. Girls Inc. girls participate in program activities and experiences that build skills and improve their self and emotional control.

“We are proud to lead an organization that is on the cutting edge of gender-focused programming that impacts girls for a lifetime.” said Darla Otey, Girls Inc. executive director.

Girls Inc. of Pinellas is the leading girl-focused nonprofit in Pinellas County that inspires and benefits 400 girls annually through services designed to teach all girls to be strong, smart and bold. Girls Inc.’s approach to STEAM enrichment inspires girls through hands-on, interactive workshops and exposes them to leaders in fields of study in which women are underrepresented.

To register for the Girls Inc. of Pinellas’ after-school enrichment program, visit https://girlsinc-pinellas.org/after-school/.