After months of preparation, eight Girls Inc. of Greater Indianapolis participants represented our organization at the 2026 Girls Inc. National Advocacy Summit in St. Louis, Missouri. Throughout the week, they challenged themselves as leaders, shared their advocacy work, connected with girls from across North America, and discovered new possibilities for their futures. 

Girls Inc. Indy Program Manager Robbin Payne shares a firsthand account of the week and the lasting impact it had on our girls below.

Ainsley, Sophia, Letha, Natalie, Chloe, Lily, Kaylan, and Alyeona began this incredible journey in February 2026. For months, they committed to meeting every Thursday evening, dedicating two and a half hours twice a week to an intensive leadership and advocacy curriculum. The work required determination, critical thinking, and a willingness to tackle complex issues while balancing their academic responsibilities and personal commitments.

The journey began in the boardroom with one ambitious goal—to launch a podcast called The Leadership Lounge. Thanks to the generous sponsorship of Audiochuck, Girls Inc. Indy received professional podcast studio equipment, personalized training, and ongoing mentorship from concept to creation. Audiochuck welcomed the girls and their families to its studio for dinner, a behind-the-scenes tour, and an inside look at podcast engineering and production. They even had the opportunity to explore the sets of the nationally recognized podcast Crime Junkie. This experience gave the girls a firsthand look at careers in media while inspiring them to use their own voices to create change.

Building on this strong foundation, the girls traveled to the Girls Inc. National Advocacy Summit at Washington University in St. Louis from July 13–17, 2026, under the leadership of Girls Inc. Indy staff members Robbin Payne, Jaelyn Powell, and Rona Taylor. Girls Inc. Indy proudly covered all travel, lodging, meals, and conference expenses. Each participant also received a Visa gift card to support their travel experience.

Washington University provided beautiful accommodations and exceptional hospitality throughout our stay. The campus was welcoming, comfortable, and the culinary staff exceeded every expectation by preparing delicious meals with care and generosity.

Our week was filled with meaningful learning and unforgettable experiences:

• Day One focused on touring the Washington University campus and becoming familiar with our surroundings.
• Day Two featured inspiring keynote speakers, engaging breakout sessions, a visit to the iconic Gateway Arch for photos, and concluded with a barbecue dinner followed by an evening of fun and exploration at the City Museum.
• Day Three showcased each girl’s advocacy research presentation alongside interactive STEM workshops.
• Day Four included additional breakout sessions before ending with a moving closing ceremony celebrating the accomplishments of participants from across the United States and Canada.

Throughout the week, our girls proudly represented Indianapolis by presenting their advocacy project focused on human trafficking and online grooming. They confidently shared their research while connecting with Girls Inc. participants from across North America. Each participant was assigned to a new cohort, encouraging them to collaborate with peers from different Girls Inc. affiliates, exchange ideas, and build lasting friendships.

The summit challenged every girl to step outside of her comfort zone. Through workshops such as Build Your Toolbox, Design Your Dream Community, and Know Your 60–90 Second Elevator Pitch, they strengthened their leadership skills, developed confidence, and expanded their vision for creating systemic change.

Perhaps the most meaningful part of the experience was witnessing the personal growth of each participant.

For Sophia, this trip marked several life-changing firsts. It was her first time leaving Indianapolis and her first time flying on an airplane. Sophia shared that it was also the first experience she had ever had that belonged solely to her, explaining that she had always shared everything with her siblings and extended family. The opportunity renewed her hope, strengthened her confidence, and gave her a new outlook on both life and school.

Throughout the conference, our girls demonstrated remarkable growth in independence, time management, leadership, and professionalism. They engaged in courageous conversations surrounding issues affecting young people across the country, including third-grade literacy rates and their connection to long-term outcomes, housing instability, barriers to obtaining essential legal documents such as birth certificates, Social Security cards, and identification, food insecurity, and the importance of diversity, inclusion, and belonging.

One especially impactful discussion centered around the experiences of girls who had immigrated from African nations. They shared the challenges of feeling misunderstood because of their food, hairstyles, accents, or cultural traditions, while also navigating the complexities of being Black but not always feeling accepted as Black American. These conversations fostered empathy, understanding, and a deeper appreciation for the diverse experiences represented within Girls Inc.

The summit empowered our girls to think bigger than ever before. They left believing they could become CEOs, entrepreneurs, community leaders, and college graduates. More importantly, they walked away knowing that regardless of their background or circumstances, every girl deserves a seat at the table and every voice matters.

One unforgettable moment occurred when Maxine Clark, founder and former CEO of Build-A-Bear Workshop, spent time speaking personally with Letha Arnold. Ms. Clark listened intently, encouraged Letha to pursue her dreams, and reminded her that her goals were both valid and achievable. It was a powerful affirmation that left a lasting impression.

Another memorable highlight came during our layover in Chicago on the journey home. The girls proudly wore their conference sweatshirts displaying the message, “Together Women Win.” While the sweatshirts initially caught the attention of fellow travelers, it was the girls’ confidence, thoughtful conversations, and enthusiasm that truly captivated those around them.

One traveler in particular, Mary Person, Senior Vice President at Clayco, was especially impressed after Alyeona Emberson enthusiastically shared what she had learned at the conference and summarized her advocacy presentation. Ms. Person was so inspired that she immediately began texting colleagues to explore ways Clayco could support Girls Inc. Recognizing the importance of building relationships, Robbin Payne asked for Ms. Person’s contact information to continue the conversation and explore future partnership opportunities.

Although our travel home was long and exhausting, Jaelyn, Rona, and I all agreed that we would not change a single part of this experience. Watching our girls learn, grow, lead, and discover new possibilities made every moment worthwhile.

To commemorate the experience, Girls Inc. National Headquarters presented each participant with commemorative merchandise celebrating their participation in the National Advocacy Summit.

This journey has created lifelong memories, meaningful relationships, and lessons that will continue to shape these young leaders for years to come. More than a conference, it was a transformational experience that affirmed their voices, strengthened their confidence, and reminded each girl that she has the power to create lasting change in her community and beyond.

Thank you to our Girls Inc. Indy supporters for making experiences like this possible. Your investment in our girls opens doors to opportunities that build confidence, inspire leadership, and create lasting impact. We also extend our sincere gratitude to Audiochuck for its partnership on The Leadership Lounge podcast and for helping our girls amplify their voices. Together, you’re helping girls grow strong, smart, and bold.

Experience the summit with us! Watch our Girls Inc. National Advocacy Summit vlog, created by Girls Inc. Indy Program Recruitment Specialist Rona Taylor, on YouTube. Click here.