Here at Girls Inc. of Central Alabama, we have several dynamic boards. From our Junior Board comprised of young professionals to the Eureka! Advisory Board, each group offers insight and support in accomplishing our mission. 

During the pandemic, we’ve missed seeing one of our most important groups – our parents! Eureka! Program Manager Amy Strickland says, “Although our girls are extremely important to who we are and what we do, we could not do any of this without parental support.” 

With that in mind, our Parent Advisory Board was re-established. In the initial interest meeting, over 20 parents from every program area participated.  Ms. Strickland says, “It was very moving to hear them talk about their experiences and their hope to move this group forward.” 

The first meeting was an incredible success – filled with testimonials, engaging dialogue, and an overall commitment towards strengthening the Girls Inc. family. We are fostering relationships with our parents by letting them know their voices are heard and giving them the opportunity to be a part of Girls Inc. of Central Alabama.  

One parent, Anntwinette L. Ragland (pictured below with her daughter August) gave the following testimonial: 

“I have been involved with Girls Inc. for over four years.  I was introduced to Girls Inc. while attending the iCAN STEM event at Alabama Power.  Little did I know that this program would have such a life-changing effect on my daughter.  The Girls Inc. Eureka! Program has not been just another STEM program…it is so much more. The one thing that differentiates Girls Inc. from other STEM programs is that it is intentional.   The staff at Girls Inc. are intentional about the programs, speakers, and events they provide for the girls.  Girls Inc. has provided my daughter internship opportunities, positive friendships, mentors, exposure to career opportunities, self-awareness, and esteem-building opportunities.  

Another major thing that makes the programs so different is the Program Managers. Ms. Amy and Ms. Dominique are phenomenal!  Both have a heart for their girls and take time to personally get to know each girl to ensure their goals and interests are integrated into the programming. I was especially impressed with how Girls Inc. not only continued to function during the pandemic, but how they dedicated time to ensure the girls were okay and paid special attention to their mental health. Girls Inc. has been very instrumental in molding my amazing daughter into a smart, bold, beautiful young woman.” 

Girls Inc. parents truly are part of our family. Their support goes far beyond dropping their daughters off, parents provide invaluable insights and are part of our mission to inspire our girls to be strong, smart, and bold. Thank you to all the Girls Inc. parents out there, and to all the program staff who worked hard to ensure the first Parent Advisory session was a huge success! 

This article was featured in the 2021 December issue of the Bold Bulletin, Girls Inc. of Central Alabama’s monthly e-newsletter. Sign up below to receive more stories like this one!