On March 27, Girls Incorporated of the Island City celebrated "Women in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM)" at our 11th Annual Women Who Dare Awards Event!

Women Who Dare Awards is our signature event. Each year, we celebrate the strides women have made and inspire girls to reach for equality and success. We raise awareness in the community about the important work that still needs to be done to empower girls. And we encourage people and businesses to continue their support of Girls Inc. View the slideshow below from our most recent event. (Photographs by Al Wright – Raintree Studios)

Women Who Dare is also a program for our girls, who go through our award-winning Best Foot Forward program - a month of workshops on interviewing, script writing, presentation, and etiquette - to prepare for the event, where they present awards to women and girls who represent excellence and dare to be leaders.

This year's awards were given to six teen girls and three women who dare working in or pursuing a career in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math. This year's theme, "Honoring Women in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM)" connects to the work we are doing at Girls Inc. on both a national and local level.

In 1985, with funding from the National Science Foundation, we launched Girls Inc. Operation SMART®, a structured approach to helping girls develop enthusiasm for and skills in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Since that time, more than 750,000 girls have participated in Operation SMART. Through hands-on activities, girls explore, ask questions, and solve problems, and they interact with women pursuing STEM careers.

Emcee
Nancy O’Malley, District Attorney for Alameda County, was the emcee for the event. O’Malley is the first female district attorney in Alameda County.

• Eco-Leader - Chantal Currid – Launched city wide, schooled focused go green campaign and Alameda’s free cycle group. She created a successful waste-free lunch program.
• Innovator - Kristina Stone – Science Department Chair and Science teacher at St Joseph Notre Dame High School. She uses technology in the classroom in innovative ways, embracing the 21st century tools and serves as an inspiration to students pursuing science as a major at top university and colleges.
• Women for Women Award - Lyn Gomes – Is a member of the Society of Women Engineers and volunteers at TechBridge as a mentor in the MentorNet. She also reaches out and visits schools to discuss opportunities in engineering. She works for Carollo Engineering and is head of the company’s outreach program.

• Emily Ball – Sierra Student Coalition member, launched Environment Club at Alameda High School with the goal of implementing a comprehensive recycling program at AHS through fundraising, and working with leaders in the community to save the school money.
• Kerry Chin – perfect score on SAT2 Math, 1st student to take college physics as a junior from Alameda Science and Technology Institute.
• Caitlin Grey – Invited and will attend the International Climate Convention in Copenhagen , December 2010, also President of the Sierra Student Coalition at Alameda High School.
• Mika Hernandez – Sierra Student Coalition member, launched environmental club, instituted comprehensive school recycling program.
• Bronte Mak – High academic achievement in science, initiated science mural at school, TA for Chemistry at community college
• Yaldah Sultan – Leads study groups in AP Environmental Science at local high School.

Participate
To donate an item for the prize drawing, buy prize drawing tickets, sponsor the event, or for information, contact Development Director, Kellee Hearn at 510.521.1743 ext. 201 or khearn@girlsincislandcity.org.

To volunteer, contact Shakira Blassingame at 510. 521.1743 x210 or sblassingame@girlsincislandcity.org.

Past Events
Find out about past awardees by downloading the Fact Sheets for past events:

• 2008 Women Who Dare Awards Event Fact Sheet
• 2007 Women Who Dare Awards Event Fact Sheet
• 2006 Women Who Dare Benefit Event Fact Sheet
• 2005 COE Luncheon Fact Sheet
• 2004 COE Luncheon Fact Sheet
• 2003 COE Luncheon Fact Sheet
• 2002 COE Luncheon Fact Sheet
• 2001 COE Luncheon Fact Sheet
• 2000 COE Luncheon Fact Sheet