Bringing the Girls Inc. experience to more girls

Connie Leap, the Assistant Program Director at Girls Inc. of Jefferson County, celebrated an extraordinary milestone this March—38 years with Girls Inc.! 

Connie’s journey began in 1988 as a part-time Program Staff member, back when the organization was still called Girls Club of Jefferson County. By 1990, she stepped into her full-time role as Assistant Program Director, and nearly four decades later, she is still shaping the lives of girls in her community. 

But her Girls Inc. story began long before she ever joined the staff. 

Growing up in a rural area in the early 1970s, there weren’t many opportunities designed specifically for girls. She still remembers how important it felt to stay after school and participate in Girls Club programming. 

Cutting fabric squares and helping sew them together into a quilt stands out vividly as a core memory for Connie. She still has an ornament she made as a member decades ago. Over the years, she has even reused some of those same craft ideas in programming at Girls Inc. 

“Girls Club was probably the first social group I was involved in other than school,” she reflects. “Being able to be in a club was a big deal.” Living in a rural area meant friends weren’t always close by, and staying after school and being part of a group gave her a sense of belonging and helped her become more social and confident. 

Girls Inc. helped Connie discover at a young age her confidence, “I learned that I won’t know if I can do something, or like something, unless I try. It helped me be able to express myself, and be more positive,” she says. The pro-girl environment helped her express herself, step outside of her shyness, and build the confidence that would shape her future. 

Girls Inc. has been evolving for more than 160 years evolving to meet girls and the challenges and opportunities of their day. “As a child in the 70’s participating in Girls Inc. I remember fondly engaging with other girls in games and craft projects. Once I started working for Girls Inc. in 1988, I realized how much more we offered to our members; academics and life skills from science, cooking, health and fitness. Today, we provide so many more opportunities through economic literacy, STEM, mental health for our girls to grow and think about their futures. With the support of headquarters research-informed programming and the local direct-services, Girls Inc. girls have a head start on becoming strong, smart, and bold young women,” says Connie about how Girls Inc. has grown over the years.  

Now, nearly four decades into her career with Girls Inc., she regularly runs into former participants who remember her and the activities they participated in. “The memories and friendships made while participating in Girls Inc. programs last a lifetime,” she shares. 

Connie believes that Girls Inc. truly makes a lasting difference and offers this advice to girls. “Participate in all of the programs and activities that Girls Inc. offers. There will be so many times in your life when you’ll look back and say, ‘I learned that at Girls Inc.’ or ‘I know how to do that — I can do that — because I learned about it here.’”  

As someone who once felt shy and unsure, she knows firsthand how transformative a pro-girl space can be. Being surrounded by encouragement, friendship, and opportunity helped her find her voice. 38 years later she is still helping other girls do the same.  

Connie’s story serves as a reminder that the lessons learned at Girls Inc. can last a lifetime.  

Meet Malak, a proud alumna of Girls Inc. of New York City, who shared how her time with Girls Inc. strengthened her leadership skills and confidence through mentorship, sisterhood, and programming. 

When asked about how she was able to truly tap into her confidence, Malak shared her favorite Girls Inc. memory, when she attended a Spring Soiree. At this event, she met inspirational women leaders who reflected her background, and it helped her see what’s possible in terms of career opportunities to explore. She had the chance to speak one-on-one with female professionals in business and finance, who offered her honest advice about rejection, taking chances, and staying focused. 

She was also inspired by the girl speakers, especially her friend Malika whose speech touched on the value of Girls Inc.’s mentorship, education, and leadership skills for young women.  

That night affirmed Malak’s belief in the value of Girls Inc. and the ways its programs invest in girls every day. She left the event not only with practical career insights, but also with a stronger sense of self and a determination to carry confidence into every part of life. 

As she transitioned to college and career, tapping into her boldness to move from New York to Indianapolis, Malak has sought Girls Inc. Alumnae Association to establish her Girls Inc. community in her new state. Malak said, “I had the pleasure of meeting Marisa Churchill, the Manager of the Girls Inc. Alumnae Association, who has taken me under her wing and has been introducing me to alumnae and other members of Girls Inc. in my area.” She has been attending continued learning opportunities with the Assocation and credits them with equipping her with practical skills like resume writing.  

Through all phases of her life, she noted how Girls Inc. reinforced the importance of values like honesty, integrity, and self-awareness. 

This year, Malak is attending Purdue University to study Professional Flight and Aerospace Engineering and feels ready to begin her studies thanks to her Girls Inc. Experience. She says, “Aviation, like many other industries lacks female representation. Becoming that voice for minority women is another incentive of mine to pursue this career.”  

Because of her time with Girls Inc., Malak now feels that she is equipped and ready to take on anything life may throw at her, especially with her Girls Inc. community at her side. 

If Malak could give one piece of advice to the girls standing in her shoes today, she would say, “To embody being strong, smart, and bold, one must first believe in their own potential to be all of these things. Your sense of self is the foundation.” She implores young girls to activate their inner sense of self and be proud of their individuality. No matter how ‘cliché,’ it is absolutely crucial to trust and believe in yourself.” 

Malak’s journey through the Girls Inc. program is a testament to the power of mentorship and sisterhood. Her experience shows us all what can be achieved when we tap into our confidence and our innate ability to be bold.