FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact: Tess Ortega
Girls Inc.’s Project Accelerate On Track to Meet its Goals to Advance Gender Parity in the Workplace for Girls Across North America
CARPINTERIA, CA (November 1, 2024) – Girls Inc. of Carpinteria is proud to announce its participation in Project Accelerate, a transformative initiative launched by the Girls Inc. national organization. This program was made possible by a $10 million grant from the Equality Can’t Wait Challenge, aimed at advancing gender equality by 2030. Project Accelerate seeks to propel 5,400 diverse women into corporate leadership roles across 30 sites nationwide.
Now in its fourth year, Project Accelerate has expanded to 26 Girls Inc. affiliates, reaching approximately 3,700 girls across the country. Girls Inc. of Carpinteria is excited to announce that they are among the newest cohort of affiliates selected for this impactful initiative.
“A generation of bold young women stands ready to lead change in the world. Yet entrenched, inequitable systems prevent them from having the opportunities and resources they need to succeed,” said Stephanie J. Hull, Ph.D., President and CEO of Girls Inc. “Girls Inc. is proven to make a positive difference in the lives of girls. Support from the Equality Can’t Wait Challenge for Project Accelerate extends the proven Girls Inc. Experience through college and into early careers. Project Accelerate is already preparing thousands of young women leaders not merely to succeed in workplace environments, but also to affect cultural change from within. The investment also supports change in the companies that employ these young leaders. In its insistence on justice and equity for women, Project Accelerate advances equality for all.”
Jamie Collins, Executive Director of Girls Inc. of Carpinteria, stated, “We are incredibly grateful to launch Project Accelerate here in Carpinteria. The funds received through the Equality Can’t Wait Challenge supports our first year of programming; to sustain and expand this vital program, we will need to engage our community and secure matching contributions. Together, we can empower the next generation of female leaders and ensure they have the resources to thrive.”
Expected outcomes of Project Accelerate include increased rates of on-time graduation among young women, expanded networks of influence for girls from historically marginalized groups, and job placements in high-paying leadership positions. By empowering women, we elevate their status and that of their families, neighborhoods, communities, and organizations.
The Equality Can’t Wait Challenge, launched in 2020, is the first competition in the U.S. centered on gender equality with an award of this magnitude. It represents an invaluable opportunity to invest in and empower women leaders who bring diverse lived experiences to their work in advancing women’s power and influence in the U.S. Hosted by Pivotal Ventures, with support from MacKenzie Scott and Dan Jewett, and Charles and Lynn Schusterman Family Philanthropies, the Challenge highlights the groundswell of energy and activism driving the gender equality movement.
For updates on Girls Inc. of Carpinteria’s upcoming gala and how you can get involved, please visit https://girlsinc-carp.org/.
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Girls Inc. of Carpinteria is a member of Girls Inc.®, a nonprofit organization that inspires all girls to be strong, smart, and bold. Our programming focuses on the development of the whole girl: we deliver life-changing programs and experiences designed to equip girls to overcome serious barriers and grow up healthy, educated, and independent. A combination of long-lasting mentoring relationships, a pro-girl environment and research-based programming prepares girls to lead fulfilling and productive lives and become role models in their community. Girls Inc. of Carpinteria currently serves more than 1100 youth in the Carpinteria Valley, from Pre-K through 12th grade. To learn more, become a volunteer or offer support, please visit www.girlsinc-carp.org/.
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