This July, Girls Inc. of Orange County proudly joined more than 250 girls representing over 30 Girls Inc. Affiliates from across the United States and Canada at the inaugural Girls Leading Change Summit in St. Louis, Missouri.
The Summit marked the culmination of a year-long leadership journey in which participants identified challenges within their communities, developed advocacy plans, and worked collaboratively to create meaningful, lasting change. Together, they gathered to share their projects, celebrate their impact, and strengthen the skills needed to become the next generation of leaders.
Over four inspiring days, our girls participated in interactive workshops, leadership sessions, and collaborative discussions focused on advocacy, civic engagement, and the Girls Inc. Character Elements. They strengthened critical leadership skills including communication, teamwork, storytelling, problem solving, public speaking, and effective collaboration while gaining the confidence to lead with purpose both today and in the future.
Beyond the workshops, the Summit created a powerful network of young leaders from across North America. Our participants exchanged perspectives, built lasting friendships, and learned alongside girls with diverse experiences and shared ambitions. Together, they discovered that meaningful change begins by listening, working across differences, and having the courage to use their voices to improve their communities.
As part of the Summit, our Orange County delegation presented a youth-led advocacy project focused on breaking barriers to healthcare access. Recognizing that access to care extends far beyond the availability of healthcare services, the girls addressed challenges including limited awareness of healthcare resources, stigma surrounding reproductive health and period poverty, and transportation barriers. Their work included researching healthcare inequities, developing a menstrual health education workshop and community product drive, and proposing transportation solutions in collaboration with community partners including OCTA and UCI Medical Center. Through this project, our girls demonstrated that informed, passionate young leaders can influence meaningful conversations and help create more equitable access to healthcare in their communities.
“Attending the Girls Leading Change Summit showed me that when girls come together with a shared purpose, we can inspire real change in our communities.”
— Madison
Experiences like the Girls Leading Change Summit are about far more than leadership development—they are investments in the next generation of changemakers. By equipping girls with the skills to research complex issues, collaborate across communities, advocate for meaningful solutions, and lead with confidence, Girls Inc. is preparing young leaders who will strengthen their schools, workplaces, and communities for years to come.
We are incredibly proud of our girls for representing Orange County with confidence, curiosity, and courage, and we look forward to seeing how they continue to lead positive change in their schools, neighborhoods, and beyond.
