Thanks to the Saks Fifth Avenue Foundation for their partnership and support of our work with girls in the areas of positive self image and mental wellness. 

Girls Inc. is proud to partner with the Saks Fifth Avenue Foundation to promote the positive mental health and wellbeing of thousands of girls across the Girls Inc. network. Together we are providing girls with opportunities to develop a positive sense of self and guaranteeing that they have access to social and emotional resources — during the difficulties of the past year and beyond. 

Celebrate your self-image

In recognition of Mental Health Awareness Month, Saks  shared tips and resources from the Saks Foundation’s nonprofit partners. Girls Inc. was honored to contribute and share in Saks’ effort to get more involved, help others, and take care of ourselves and our communities. Here, we share an excerpt of the contribution Girls Inc. made to the Saks article (to read it in its entirety click here). 

Real confidence isn’t just being the best at what you do, but being true to yourself and recognizing your strengths. Know that no one’s perfect and that’s okay. Give yourself space for those moments and remember you’re a unique, multidimensional person. “Self-image affects every aspect of well-being,” says Stephanie Hull, Ph.D., president and CEO of Girls Inc. “When you have a positive sense of self, you’re more likely to make decisions that support your goals. You’re ready to embrace challenges, and you can persist when things get difficult.”

“I can be me.”

Girls with positive self image feel good about themselves, realize they are capable of doing so many great things, and make decisions that support their healthy development. Girls Inc. of Durham girls participate in the Girls Inc. Mind+Body Initiative, which supports and promotes the whole health of girls ages 6 to 18, using a philosophy which recognizes that many factors, including physical and mental wellness, contribute to girls’ health. Marissa, a teen participant in the Mind+Body initiative, says, “I can express a lot of things about me that most people don’t really know. I can be me.” 

Other girls have expressed similar experiences. “I can talk about topics that I can’t talk about with my friends,” says participant Niki. Girls Inc. girl Kiera says: “It’s safe for you to talk about anything you want. It’s a good place to be…I’m excited for it.” Taylor, a teenager at Girl Inc. of Durham, adds: “I feel like I’ve become the best version of myself and I know I can talk about anything.”

In 2020, Girls Inc. girls attended a virtual event with Saks Fifth Avenue employees, where they participated in a career-readiness Q&A with mentors.

Celebrating Visionary Voices

To honor women who are helping to pave the way for the future of mental healthcare and solutions, Saks Fifth Avenue conceived and debuted its Visionary Voice Awards program in March 2021 for Women’s History Month. Angie Stringer, President and CEO of Girls Inc. of Sarasota County, was selected as a Visionary Voice Award recipient, in recognition of her leadership and commitment to bring integrated and international mental healthcare to the Girls Inc. of Sarasota County community.

Angie Stringer, CEO of Girls Inc. of Sarasota County, was an inaugural honoree of the Saks Fifth Avenue Visionary Voice Awards.

Great Strides

How a girl thinks and feels about herself directly influences her capacity to lead in life. We are grateful to have the support of Saks and the Saks Fifth Avenue Foundation, whose mission is to make mental health a priority in every community, and that they are joining us in our work to inspire all girls to be strong, smart, and bold! Together we can help girls see that they are unique, multi-dimensional, and hold limitless potential for what they can contribute to the world.