Strong, Smart, Bold: Pathways To Opportunity
By Wenona Sutton
Across Delaware, girls are growing up in a world filled with opportunity, complexity, and constant change. They are expected to lead earlier, adapt faster, and navigate academic, social, and professional pressures that look very different than they did just a generation ago. At Girls Inc. of Delaware, our mission has always been to inspire all girls to be strong, smart, and bold. Today, that mission continues to guide a thoughtful and intentional approach to supporting girls at every stage of their development.
For more than seven decades, Girls Inc. of Delaware has been a trusted presence in our communities. Founded in 1953, our organization has evolved alongside generations of girls while remaining grounded in a simple belief: when girls are supported, they succeed. That belief continues to shape how we design programs, build partnerships, and invest in the long-term success of girls across our state.
Girls Inc. of Delaware delivers high-quality, research-based programming that builds confidence, leadership, and essential life skills. Our work meets girls where they are and grows with them over time. Elementary programs emphasize confidence-building, emotional and reading literacy, and early leadership. Middle school initiatives focus on self-advocacy, social media literacy, healthy relationships, and decision making during a pivotal stage of identity formation. At the high school and young adult level, our college and career readiness programming, including Project Accelerate, connects young women to paid internships, mentorship, workforce skills, and postsecondary navigation support.
Across all programs, Girls Inc. of Delaware integrates social-emotional learning, STEM exposure, and real-world career pathways that reflect today’s evolving workforce. Just as importantly, we create environments where girls feel safe to take risks, ask questions, and use their voices. The nationally recognized Girls Inc. Experience ensures that every participant is supported by caring adults, surrounded by positive peers, and engaged in programming that prepares them for life beyond the classroom.
Partnership is central to our impact. Girls Inc. of Delaware works alongside schools, employers, community organizations, and families to ensure our programs remain relevant, accessible, and aligned with both academic goals and workforce needs. This collaborative approach strengthens outcomes for girls while reinforcing a shared responsibility to prepare the next generation of leaders.
Celebrating women who model strong, smart, and bold leadership is another important part of our work. On April 9, at the Chase Center in Wilmington, Girls Inc. of Delaware will host the Strong, Smart & Bold Awards and Fundraiser, a signature event that honors exceptional women while raising critical funds to support our mission. The event highlights the connection between the leadership girls see and the leaders they can become.
We are proud to honor three remarkable women whose lives and careers reflect the values at the heart of Girls Inc. United States Senator Lisa Blunt Rochester will be recognized for her trailblazing public service and steadfast advocacy for families and communities. Dr. Joan Coker will be honored for her lifelong commitment to health equity, education, and community leadership. Terry Glebocki will be recognized for her outstanding business leadership and philanthropic dedication to strengthening opportunity across Delaware. Their stories demonstrate that leadership takes many forms and that impact is built through service, integrity, and vision.
Proceeds from the Strong, Smart & Bold Awards directly support Girls Inc. of Delaware programs, ensuring girls have access to mentorship, career exploration, leadership development, and supportive spaces that foster confidence and resilience. As we look to the future, our focus remains on sustainable growth, meaningful partnerships, and measurable impact that supports girls from childhood through young adulthood.
When we invest in girls, we invest in stronger families, stronger communities, and a stronger Delaware. Girls Inc. of Delaware is proud to continue this work alongside supporters and partners who believe in the power and potential of every girl. Learn more at www.girlsincde.org.
Bio
Wenona Sutton is the Executive Director of Girls Inc. of Delaware and a lifelong advocate for youth development, leadership, and equity. With more than 15 years of experience in nonprofit leadership and community engagement, she is committed to building systems that ensure girls across Delaware have access to opportunity, mentorship, and choice-filled futures.
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