[New York, NY] (October 14, 2015) – Girls Inc., the national organization inspiring all girls to be strong, smart, and bold, joined some of the world’s most preeminent women in business, politics, and the arts yesterday at Fortune’s Most Powerful Women Summit in Washington, D.C. More than 30 Girls Inc. girls participated in the MPW High School Notebook Mentoring program, as the exclusive mentoring partner.

The mentoring session featured an interview with Mary Barra, Chief Executive Officer at General Motors, after which girls participated in speed mentoring with a select group of Most Powerful Women to gain advice on college, careers, and achieving success. The program focused on increasing opportunities for girls to pursue careers in STEM. Women continue to be vastly underrepresented in STEM jobs, emphasizing the need to bolster girls’ interest and exposure to STEM.

In the evening, Girls Inc. girls attended a celebration event at the National Portrait Gallery where they were recognized for their commitment to education. The evening program and dinner featured highly-awaited remarks from First Lady Michelle Obama and discussions with Ursula Burns, Chairman and CEO of Xerox, and Megan Smith, U.S. Chief Technology Officer at The White House. Girls Inc. girls were especially moved at one point in the evening when Mrs. Obama left the stage to personally greet them and have her picture taken with a group of girls.

In her remarks, Mrs. Obama announced new commitments to the Let Girl Learn initiative, launched by the President and First Lady this year, which helps girls worldwide attend and stay in school. As a new collaborator, Girls Inc. affiliates will educate girls on the importance of education and the challenges and opportunities that exist for girls in developing countries and in the U.S. Girls Inc. girls will also have the opportunity to correspond with girls in the various Let Girls Learn countries and with Peace Corps Volunteers through the World Wise Schools Program.

“We’re excited to collaborate with Fortune’s Most Powerful Women Summit and the First Lady to promote educational opportunities for girls,” said Judy Vredenburgh, President & CEO of Girls Inc. “When girls get an education, they are better able to lead healthy lives and positively influence their families and communities. Collaborating across public, private, and nonprofit sectors is key to educating and empowering girls in the United States and abroad.”

About Girls Inc.

Girls Inc. inspires all girls to be strong, smart, and bold, providing more than 140,000 girls across the U.S. and Canada with life-changing experiences and solutions to the unique challenges girls face. The Girls Inc. Experience consists of people, an environment, and programming that, together, empower girls to succeed. Trained staff and volunteers build lasting, mentoring relationships in girls-only spaces that are physically and emotionally safe and where girls find a sisterhood of support with shared drive, mutual respect, and high

expectations. Hands-on, research-based programs provide girls with the skills and knowledge to set goals, overcome obstacles, and improve academic performance. Informed by girls and their families, Girls Inc. also works with policymakers to advocate for legislation and initiatives that increase opportunities for girls.

At Girls Inc., girls grow up healthy, educated, and independent. Join us at girlsinc.org.

Contact:
Tieler Giles, 404-819-6405
Associate Director of Marketing & Communications
tgiles@girlsinc.org

Download the full press release.