Coming into the role as volunteer engagement specialist, I knew that our volunteers would be remarkable. What I didn’t know was that after each initial volunteer interview, I’d sit and wonder: How did Indianapolis get so lucky to have all of these women in one city? Our city is pulsing with gifted women who are advocates for a better future for our girls. They remember what it was like to be a twelve year-old who feels insecure about her body or a seven year-old who is trying to figure out what it means to be a good friend. These women are now incredible adults, who are committed to encouraging girls to be confident and to navigate through conflict in a positive way. In each interview, I've learned that the commitment to forming a generation of strong, smart, and bold girls is an urgent necessity to our volunteers. 

There is one particular demographic of volunteers that continues to amaze me: our college students. These women come into our office – many are completely new to Indianapolis – ready to dive into the community. They tell me stories about overcoming the barriers that many girls (and women) experience, the positive female role models in their lives, and why they want to spend a football Saturday in a six-hour training instead of tailgating. The conviction and passion in their voices as they explain what prompted them to apply makes me realize that the movement for equality is very much alive. With each student who applies to volunteer, I feel more confident about my own generation and our commitment to help the next generation of girls to feel secure and powerful in their own skin. If you want to be a part of this exciting movement that we’ve started at Girls Inc., email me at ksmith@girlsincindy.org.