Wash U hosts first-ever Girls Inc. national summit

Girls Inc. made history in St. Louis this week, bringing more than 250 young women from over 30 affiliates across the United States and Canada to Washington University for its first-ever National Summit. For four days (Monday, July 13- Thursday, July 16), the campus became a gathering place for emerging leaders — many traveling outside their home communities for the first time — to build confidence, strengthen skills and connect with peers who share their commitment to shaping a better future.

Washington University Chancellor Andrew Martin welcomed attendees with a message centered on purpose and possibility. “I have long admired the work of Girls Inc. for its approach to preparing young women to lead and meet the future,” he said in a letter to participants. “WashU’s mission is to act in service of truth through the formation of leaders, and so it is fitting that you are here on our campus to learn and grow.” He encouraged them to approach each session “with curiosity and an open mind,” reminding them that the relationships formed this week could last a lifetime.

Girls Inc. International President and CEO Stephanie Hull echoed that sentiment, urging the girls to embrace the summit as both a learning experience and an opportunity to clarify their values. “I hope you will enjoy developing your voice both as a powerful individual and as part of a team of powerful young women,” she said. Hull emphasized that Girls Inc. exists to counter the messages that tell girls they are “less than or that they can’t, or that they shouldn’t.” Her hope, she said, is not tied to specific careers — but to each girl becoming “happy and centered and healthy and connected and doing a thing that they think means something to them.”

For Girls Inc. of St. Louis President and CEO Cheryl Jones, hosting the inaugural summit was a full-circle moment. She reflected on the legacy of Dr. William Danforth II, who encouraged women leaders in St. Louis to establish a local affiliate after seeing Girls Inc.’s work in New Hampshire. “Here we are 45 years later,” Jones said. “That makes us hosting this summit on this campus extra special.” She reminded the girls that St. Louis has long been a city of innovators and changemakers — and that their presence continues that tradition. “When girls come together, you can have magical things happen,” Jones said. “You can have solutions. You can have conversations. And you can find out that there are a lot of similarities, no matter where you are in the country.”

Hull reinforced that message during Monday’s welcome dinner. “We are in this city, which is known as the Gateway City,” she told the girls. “This is a historical gathering place for people who were venturing out into unfamiliar territory, people who were about to do something that they knew was right. What makes the summit so special is not just what you will learn… it’s who you will become together.”

Throughout the week, participants engaged in workshops, breakout sessions and leadership activities designed to strengthen emotional intelligence, critical thinking, kindness and respect. Hull reminded them that these skills would shape “the way you move through the world, the way you build relationships, the way you solve the problems that you see, the way you lead.” She emphasized that the community they were building was just as important as the curriculum. “You are part of a network of strong, smart, bold girls that stretches across cities, provinces and communities,” she said. “This has become your leadership network.”

For many attendees, the summit was transformative. Wentzville native Tamyra Butts said Girls Inc. helped her find her voice long before she arrived on campus. “Girls Inc. definitely built up my confidence,” she said. “They showed me ‘you are a leader in this space — and you should show it.’” Her involvement opened doors to opportunities with Mastercard, Edward Jones and Boeing. Hosting the summit in her home region felt meaningful. “St. Louis gets a bad rap, but I love it,” she said. “They get to experience St. Louis in all its glory — not just a statistic on paper. We are actually a really beautiful city.”

London Void, representing the Delaware affiliate, said the summit helped her step out of her shell. “My first day here, I was very nervous,” she said. “But the girls made me feel that I wasn’t alone.” She highlighted the importance of education — especially for Black girls — and the power of being surrounded by peers who want to see each other succeed. “Knowing that you are around other women and girls who want you to succeed gives you the courage to step out of your comfort zone,” she said.

For Star Leslie Orji of Girls Inc. Atlanta, the summit was both energizing and affirming. She spent her days in workshops and her nights connecting with girls from across the U.S. and Canada. “I’ve been going to bed at like 1 a.m. every day,” she said. “But I feel so energized because everything is so amazing.” Orji, who created an interactive menstrual-health education platform called Bless Bloom and Flow, said the summit reinforced her belief in the collective impact Girls Inc. girls can make. “We are all making an impact on the world,” she said. “These are just the first steps.”

Hull closed the welcome dinner by reminding the girls that, like the city that served as their host, they were venturing into unfamiliar territory as participants of the inaugural summit. “What makes the summit so special is not just what you will learn,” she said. “It’s who you will become together.” Jones echoed that sentiment as the week unfolded. “St. Louis is cheering for you,” she told them. “Your brilliance is something we will always remember.”

The young women who arrived on campus as strangers left as part of a powerful network — ready to lead, ready to contribute and ready to carry the Girls Inc. legacy forward. Orji said it was a joy to be among the girls who will forever be part of Girls Inc. history because of their participation. “This has been an amazing experience,” she said. “My hope is that it keeps going — and keeps growing.”