HUNTSVILLE, Ala. — In the Huntsville City Council meeting on Thursday Mayor Tommy Battle proclaimed 2022 as the 'Year of the Girl' in honor of Girls Inc. of Huntsville.
"You know Girls Inc. has been here for 50 years and for 50 years, we've been training young ladies on how to be leaders in our community, how to be leaders in the business world, in the political world. and they have provided for the people who have made Huntsville a better place," Mayor Battle said.
Girls Inc. kicked off the Fuel Her Fire program to raise money and awareness around the science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) industry, along with creating workforce training for young girls in Huntsville.
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In the U.S., women make up half of the workforce, but only 27% are represented in STEM. Mayor Battle understands the importance of investing in the youth to build success.
One graduate of Girls Inc., Cherish Hollie, proves how helpful the program can be. Hollie joined the program at age 10, and now she attends Clark Atlanta University in Atlanta, Georgia.
"When I came in I was really shy and I was very new to the area as well," Hollie explains. "I was living with my single father at the time so this just gave me more support from women and allowed me to do some things that I wouldn't have done with him."
To learn more about Girls Inc. visit their website.