“The Girls Inc. Indy internship has taught me so many transferable skills that will stick with me. I can say as a participant and intern Girls Inc. truly lives by its mission, Creating strong, smart, and bold girls and a truly better society.” – Dalioanna Jones 

As a girl, Dalioanna Jones spent as much time as she could at Girls Inc. of Greater Indianapolis. Then, while pursuing her communications degree, she was able to return to Girls Inc. as a marketing intern—furthering the organization’s commitment to supporting girls through childhood to young adulthood.  

The Girls Inc. National organization was founded in 1864 as a reaction to the upheaval girls and young women faced as a result of the Civil War, and today it exists as a comprehensive, evidence-based, pro-girl network for mentorship and programs that prepare girls “to be strong, smart, and bold.” You can find a Girls Inc. in more than 350 cities throughout the United States and Canada, each one existing as a safe, encouraging, and educational space for girls. One of those affiliates is Girls Inc. of Greater Indianapolis (or Girls Inc. Indy for short), which was founded in 1969 and continues to empower girls in the Indianapolis area today. 

“Much of the value [of the programming] was in the true sisterhood and the feeling of being comfortable exploring who I want to be in my personal and professional life,” said Jones. 

That result is a big part of what Girls Inc. Indy works for—giving girls the mentorship and knowledge that helps them believe in themselves and equips them to achieve their goals.  

We chose Girls Inc. Indy as our March Charity of the Month to coincide with Women’s History Month, which exists to honor the contributions of American women and arose much later than Girls Inc. The first Women’s History Month was celebrated in 1987, more than 100 years after Girls Inc. National was founded.  

They exist for the same reason, however: Women and girls throughout U.S. history have made extraordinary contributions but continue to face significant barriers to success. This month, which this year has the theme of educating and inspiring generations, highlights what’s possible if we prioritize women’s wellbeing and education, and Girls Inc. Indy does exactly that.   

The organization provides mentorship, supportive environments, and programming that address the unique challenges girls face and are proven to help girls succeed. It also works to remove barriers that hinder their success, ensuring all girls, regardless of background, have the opportunities and resources to thrive. Girls Inc. Indy prioritizes expanding access to education, and supporting physical and mental health, safety, and autonomy.  

Girls Inc. Indy represents a place to be yourself, to learn new skills, make friends, and grow with a mentor. Or to just relax for awhile with a good book.  

For Leslie, mother of Azaria, a current Girls Inc. Indy participant, the organization has provided her daughter with the inspiration to encourage others. It was also where Leslie saw her daughter grow into an independent individual: “I’m very impressed with the maturity I’ve seen in my daughter since she joined Girls Inc.” 

Azaria first came to Girls Inc. Indy as a seventh grader and has continued her involvement throughout her school years, most notably participating in the Eureka! and Young Women in Leadership (YWIL) programs.  

“As an older parent, I wasn’t sure whether to push her toward the traditional college path. Nowadays, we all know that kids need more than just, ‘You go to college, and that’s it.’ They need the tools to navigate life, and I think Girls Inc. does a great job of empowering them to be independent individuals.” 

Girls Inc. Indy brings this impact to more than 1,600 girls from ages 5 to 24 every year, and research shows that girls who participate are more likely to be physically active, to perform well on standardized tests, and to have a strong sense of their ability—92% say they believe they can be leaders. We believe it, too.  

Girls Inc. Indy has been empowering girls to be strong, smart, and bold for more than 50 years, evolving to address the changing needs of communities and the shifting barriers girls face. Women’s History Month is a great time to consider helping Girls Inc. reach more girls. Here’s how: