By Clifford L. Williams

Girls Incorporated (Girls Inc.) of West Contra Costa County (WCC) has one mission: to support the development of “strong, smart and bold” girls, and to prepare them to be productive, independent adults. That mission and philosophy has been their goal since 1974 when Girls Inc. of WCC became an affiliate of the National Girls Inc., the nation’s leading voice for girls.

    With proceeds benefiting Girls Inc. of WCC, the organization recently held a summer evening gala in San Francisco, hosted by The Palace Hotel and San Francisco Magazine, to honor its new board chair Susan Lowe, as well as to share its goals and objectives. Lowe discussed some of the programs offered by Girls Inc.
   “In WCC, girls between the ages of 5 and 18 years can learn about math and science, economic literacy and can network with professional women,” said Lowe. “They are also able to receive tutorial and homework help, as well as professional development and academic encouragement.”
    “Our center is also home to a job readiness internship program that offers teen volunteers and program aides the opportunity to shadow senior staff and gain work experience for resumes. We are help to help them overcome any obstacles or challenges, and take-on anything they choose. In the past 12 years, 25 girls have gone on to four-year colleges, and we will continue to offer four, $15,000 scholarships each year.”
   Girls Inc. of WCC has served thousands of West Contra County girls over the past 30 years. Many of the girls are second and third generation members. Girls Inc. offers a nurturing and supportive environment where girls enjoy programs and activities to provide the tools to face tough issues facing young women.
    Girls Inc. of WCC has a Bill of Rights which states that:
• Girls have a right to be themselves—people first and females second—and to resist pressure to behave in sex stereotyped ways.
• Girls have a right to express themselves with originality and enthusiasm.
• Girls have a right to take risks, to strive freely and to take pride in success.
• Girls have a right to accept and enjoy the bodies they were born with and not to feel pressured to compromise their health in order to satisfy the dictates of an “ideal” physical image.
• Girls have a right to be free of vulnerability and self doubt and to develop as mentally and emotionally sound individuals.
• Girls have a right to prepare for interesting work and economic independence.
    In May of 2003, Girls Inc. of WCC celebrated over 30 years in the community with a mortgage burning party. The organizations’ website notes that the Girls Inc. story “is one of pride, promise and purpose.
    As Girls Inc. continues to grow, they only need to look to the tenacity of their founding mothers and their legacy as an example of the infinite possibility of ‘girl power’.”
    For more information on Girls Inc. of WCC, contact Gayla Edgerly at (510) 232-5440 or by email at wccgirls@pacbell.net.