Portland, OR. Girls Inc. held a virtual celebration of girls’ empowerment on Friday, June 5th which raised over $395,000. The funds are earmarked for the organization’s STEM, health, and life skills programs which benefit girls ages 6-18. There were 900 attendees at the virtual benefit. Because of COVID-19, this was the first year the event was online. Power of the Purse has raised over $5 million dollars over the last 15 years.
In previous years Girls Inc. had a live runway show, like the event in 2016. (Girls Inc. girl, Lana, are pictured with Carol Risley, Designer, and Daria Eliuk, Purse-o-nality)
Every year notable Portland leaders, artists, entrepreneurs, and philanthropists work with local purse designers to create one-of-a-kind handbags to raise money for Girls Inc. of the Pacific Northwest. Each piece is a unique work of art that is auctioned off during a live fashion show featuring Girls Inc. youth.
The organization provides many opportunities for girls like the, “Rappel for Her,” event, during which participants rappel down a downtown skyscraper. (This photo of “Rappel for Her” in August of 2019, Provided by Girls Inc.)
About Girls Inc.:
In partnership with schools and at Girls Inc. centers, we focus on the development of the whole girl. She learns to value herself, take risks, and discover and develop her inherent strengths. The combination of long-lasting mentoring relationships, a pro-girl environment, and research-based programming equips girls to navigate gender, economic, and social barriers, and grow up healthy, educated, and independent. Informed by girls and their families, we also advocate for legislation and policies to increase opportunities and rights for all girls.
Portland, OR. SEMpdx held its annual Rooftop Party in Portland’s Pearl District at the On Deck Sports Bar & Grill. It’s the eleventh year for the networking event. The SEMpdx Board of Directors took time for a photo. Leaders include: Ryan Campbell, Scott Hendison, Kevin Getch, Anna Madill (back row) Tony Svoboda, Trish Carey, Garrett Browne, Robert Frost, Todd Mintz, Sarah Hinds, and Ashley Kennedy. Every year, the nonprofit Search Engine Marketing Organization selects a charity to support and this year, it’s Girls Inc., an organization encouraging girls to be “strong, smart, and bold.” The benefits of becoming a SEMpdx Charity of Choice include: recognition at events, pro-bono digital marketing services, and up to a $5,000 donation.
During the Rooftop Party on August 1st, members try their hand at the giant Connect 4 game.
One of the founders of SEMpdx, Kent Lewis, talks with members. Lewis is also the President of Anvil Media.
SEMpdx was founded in 2006, because we felt that there was a lot of veteran talent here in PDX, but we weren’t really recognized for it because we were all so busy working that we weren’t self-promoting. We also knew that the business community in Portland was coming around to SEM, but didn’t really know about the level of talent here in PDX. This led to our rather simple mission “put search on the map in Portland, and Portland on the map in search”. In other words – to get PDX recognized in the national SEM community, and raise awareness for search marketing in PDX. We got the group together when Scott Orth & Blu Drobushevich approached me (Kent Lewis) after SMX Seattle in 2006 and suggested we create our own industry association in Portland. Initially, I (Ben Lloyd) was hesitant, and wasn’t sure we had critical mass in the area. That said, after a brief debate, we agreed to run it by folks we knew and trusted in the industry. A month or two later, we scheduled a meeting with a dozen or so local SEM professionals. Everyone at that meeting was on board (literally, everyone become an initial board member). I sold the initial sponsorship (Site9) that gave us the funding and moved SearchFest from IPN (Stan Davis & I created the initial events in 2005) to SEMpdx and we were on our way. Ben Lloyd helped us incorporate through his father’s firm and we started formalizing articles, bylaws, processes, mission, vision, and so on. Scott Hendison worked on the blog and website, Tracy Chapman started organizing, and Todd Mintz started blogging. The rest is history! There was a great deal of hard work & details by the board, which was critical and appreciated. The group then started putting on monthly educational events.
Portland, OR. (Sponsored) It’s been a banner year for Girls Inc. The nonprofit launched programming in Seattle (after launching last year in SW Washington) and now covers much of the major metro areas in the Pacific Northwest. Girls Inc. has served nearly 3,000 girls by providing them with the holistic Girls Inc. experience, which shows them how to lead, how to thrive, and how to change the world.
Girls Inc. also launched its national #GirlsToo: Respect Starts Young campaign, to focus on girls’ experiences of sexual harassment and violence. You can support the organization by clicking here: DONATE NOW! You can also sign the #GirlsToo pledge at girlstoo.girlsinc.org.
This testimonial about the program demonstrates the power of Girls Inc. Emily and her sister Jocelyn shared their journey in a new film.
From Emily (and Jocelyn):
When I started going to Girls Inc. in 5th grade, I was so nervous I decided to bring my older sister with me. Jocelyn has always helped me find my voice, and because of Girls Inc.’s Produced By Her program last year, we were both able to find our voice more than ever before.
When we were young, we both experienced sexual violence. We had a story to tell, but didn’t know how to talk about what had happened to us. We didn’t grow up understanding that #GirlsToo experience sexual violence.
I wasn’t sure if I was strong enough to keep going. I wasn’t sure what healing from sexual violence was supposed to look like, and I was afraid that I might not be able to have a successful future because of the trauma I had experienced.
While making our film, I talked to survivors of sexual violence who a owned their own businesses or were doctors or lawyers. I started to envision a future for myself where I could be anything.
Because of the support of people like you who help make Girls Inc. programming possible, we are able to tell our story without fear. Now, I see a bright future for myself as an architect. Girls Inc. helped me learn to feel powerful, become stronger, and more free; that wouldn’t be possible without you.
That’s why I’m asking you to donate to Girls Inc. before the end of this year. I want girls throughout the Pacific Northwest to be able to become stronger and dream of a bigger future. You can inspire girls to be strong, smart, and bold like Girls Inc. inspired me.
With you in our corner, we will thrive. Love, Emily (and Jocelyn)
You can ensure every single one of the 3,000 girls we serve are respected and valued, and can be the leaders we need. With you in their corner, everything is possible. You can support the organization by clicking here: DONATE NOW!
About Girls Inc.
Girls Inc. of the Pacific Northwest inspires all girls to be strong, smart, and bold. We make an impact in the communities we serve by equipping girls with the skills and confidence to access a bright and economically-independent future. By focusing on the whole girl from ages 6-18, we provide life-changing after school programs and experiences that help girls grow up to be healthy, educated, and independent. Our trained volunteer leaders, research-based curricula, and pro-girl environment provide girls with the tools, confidence, and support to realize their own power.
Portland, OR. This year’s “must have bags” were up for bid at the 12th annual Power of the Purse (POP) Gala on March 17th. At the benefit notable Portlanders and designers joined forces to create one-of-a-kind purses which are auctioned off to benefit Girls Inc. of the Pacific Northwest. (Photo credit, Jennifer Rogers)
Kennedy, helped entertain supporters, she’s a Girls Council member.
Local designers, including Ellington Handbags, Looptworks and new to the event, designer Denise Tjarks, created purses together with this year’s “Purse-o-nalities.” 14 local celebs, including KGW reporter Cassidy Quinn and BurnCycle founder Jessi Duley showed their passion for empowering young girls. Unique creations were showcased by school-aged Girls Inc. in a live runway auction.
Organizers say, over the past decade, the Power of the Purse Gala has been recognized as one of Portland’s most fashionable fundraising gala and has raised more than $2.5 million to support Girls Inc. programming in the Portland metro area, and the greater Pacific Northwest. The nonprofit works to inspire and empower girls, ages 6 to 18, to be strong, smart, and bold through after-school groups, mentorship and educational opportunities. Together, with support from partners, funders, and the Pacific Northwest communities they serve, Girls Inc. gives every girl the opportunity to realize the “Power of Her.”
The nonprofit works to inspire and empower girls, ages 6 to 18, to be strong, smart, and bold through after-school groups, mentorship and educational opportunities. Together, with support from partners, funders, and the Pacific Northwest communities they serve, Girls Inc. gives every girl the opportunity to realize the “Power of Her.”
Rapper Wynne performed at the event.
This year’s Power of the Purse Gala kicked off with an exclusive POP Up Shop and reception prior to the runway event. The POP Up Shop featured hand-picked, local vendors, with 25 percent of all proceeds raised going to support Girls Inc. programming. Vendors included Amira Jewelry, Fetch Eyewear and many others. In addition, this year the POP Up Shop featured a “Girls Experience” opportunity, allowing for party-goers to give towards educational and empowering opportunities for the girls.
This year’s 2017 Purse-o-nalities were:
• Tiffany Boyd, co-founder, What the Festival;
• Eden Dawn, style editor, Portland Monthly;
• Stacey Dodson, market president, U.S. Bank;
• Jessi Duley, owner, BurnCycle;
• Susan Fairchild, owner; S Fairchild Designs;
• Paula Hayes, CEO and founder, Hue Noir;
• Kathleen Lewis, philanthropist;
• Peggy Maguire, senior vice president, corporate accountability and performance, Cambia Health Solutions;
• Hon. Adrienne Nelson, judge, Multnomah County Circuit Court;
• Kate Norris, founder, winemaker, and general manager, SE Wine Collective;
• Cassidy Quinn, reporter, KGW News;
• Angela Sheehan, principal, CFO, Glumac;
• Kelsey Troy, senior vice president, human resources, KinderCare Education; and
• Susan Wilkerson, vice president and general manager of strategic global accounts, Lam Research
Featured purse designers were:
• Leather Girl Kelley;
• Mari Lassa;
• Ellington Handbags;
• Scott Hamlin of Looptworks;
• Susan Fairchild of S Fairchild Designs;
• Christina Castillo of Christina Castillo Handbags;
• LOURDES é EVA;
• COLTY;
• Janny Downey of Minou-Minou;
• Denise Tjarks;
• SOREL;
• Jeff Amrhein of Hand and Hide; and
• Mia Scofield of Mo&Co.
The event is presented by KinderCare Education, along with supporting sponsors Harold & Arlene Schnitzer Care Foundation, Bank of America, Buchanan Angeli Altschul & Sullivan LLP, Ernst & Young, KeyBank, Portland Trail Blazers, The Standard, U.S. Bank, Nike, Wells Fargo Bank, Hannah Andersson, Delta Airlines, Kaiser Permanente, Markowitz Herbold PC., Burncycle, Sally Morrow Creative, Premiere Press, Cambia, Kassab Jewelers, Randall Children’s Hospital, Cindy Thompson Events, Lam Research and Walsh Construction.
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About Girls Inc.
Girls Inc. of the Pacific Northwest inspires girls, ages six to 18, to be strong, smart, and bold. Our gender-specific programs and research-based curricula provide girls with the confidence and self-esteem to access a bright and economically-independent future. For more information, please visit www.girlsincpnw.org.
Portland, March 4th, 2016. Girls Inc. of the Pacific Northwest hosted the organization’s 11th annual Power of the Purse fundraising gala at the Hilton. The event raised nearly $350,000 to provide programming that inspires girls ages 6-18 years old to be, “Strong, Smart, and Bold.” The audience cheered for Girls Inc. girl, Lana, and her team, designer Carol Risley, and entertainer Daria Eliuk.
500 guests shops at the silent auction and Boutique of 25 local vendors. During a runway live auction, supporters bid on one-of-a-kind purses designed by 12 teams of ‘Purse-o-nalities’ and local Designers. Girls Inc. girls were the stars of the evening as they modeled their Purse-o-nalities’ purses on the catwalk and shared their vision of the future with attendees.
2016 Purse-o-nalities, barre3’s Sadie Lincoln and Jenny Hansson from KOIN, showed their one-of-a-kind designer purses.
The women of Intel enjoyed the event, included Lakecia Gunter (second from the left).
The girls who participate in the program modeled their purses on the catwalk and shared their plans for the future.
With extensive media coverage and notable “Purse-o-nality” participants over the past ten years, “Power of the Purse” has raised more than $1.5 million in net revenue to support Girls Inc. programming.
From Girls Inc.:
Girls Inc. of the Pacific Northwest offers programs for girls 6-18 around the greater Portland area. Girls Inc. programs focus on developing healthy behaviors, adopting new life skills, and encouraging girls to reach higher. Our proven curriculum provides age-appropriate, research-based, and culturally relevant content for girls to explore.
Girls who participate enjoy the following:
Create meaningful, supportive peer groups that encourage female solidarity
Grow self-esteem that carries over to home, school, and the community
Develop sound decision-making and communication skills
Assert themselves as confident individuals throughout their lives
Build key leadership skills and strong work ethics
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