Women of Inspiration

Women of Inspiration was the perfect title for the Carpinteria Girls Inc. annual luncheon where women of inspiration are honored. This one was honoring the memory of global activist Nancy Koppelman.

Nancy’s daughter, Renee, accepted the Women of Inspiration award on behalf of her mother and told what it was like to have her for a mother. She would say, “Not can we help, but how can we help?” Nancy began working for women’s rights in college and served on President Obama’s national finance and election committee throughout his time in office. Nancy served as co-chair for this luncheon for several years and was a longtime supporter. She was involved with UCSB’s Arts & Lectures, Direct Relief, co-founded the Global Neighborhood Fund, and more.

As Girls Inc. executive director Victoria Juarez said, “Nancy was a fearless champion and crusader for women and girls locally and globally. We are endlessly grateful for her support of our mission and for showing everyone what it means to be a strong, smart, and bold woman.” Victoria told of just receiving an email from a Carpinteria teacher asking if there could be a Boys Inc. because the girls were setting the town on fire.” What a compliment!

Event co-chairs Susan Caine and Theresa Huerta thanked the biggest group ever, more than 300, for attending the luncheon, which is always held in the facility’s gym. Girls Inc. members Alitza Gonzalez and Yaritza Nunez emceed the event demonstrating just how poised and confident they had become through the group. Alitza was chosen from a nationwide pool of applicants to join the Girls Inc. Action Network and will have a weeklong advocacy trip to Washington, D.C., this summer. Laura transitioned into the Eureka! Program three year ago and was the recipient of the Girls Inc. National 8^th grade Strong, Smart, and Bold Scholarship in 2017. The Eureka! Externship program this summer will help Laura find the career of her dreams.

Karina Jougla, who is an alumna of the organization was the perfect keynote speaker. She was only five years old when she joined and told us, “I remember when I put my handprint on the wall.” I use that as a backdrop for many photos. She was a national scholar in 2011 and credits Girls Inc. for all her success. She graduated from Columbia University in 2016 after receiving $35,000 in scholarships throughout her time at Girls Inc. She learned about Columbia on a Girls Inc. trip to New York. 

She is currently doing a job she loves, as a marketing associate for Doctors Without Borders. As Karina says, Girls Inc. equipped me with a skill set that I can rely on for the rest of my life.”

Lunch was underwritten by friends and family and the board of directors to enable all the donations to go directly to Girls Inc. programs. If you’d like to help, call (805) 684-6364.