DANVERS — Girls Inc. of Lynn strives to inspire girls to be strong, smart and bold. Judging from the inspirational young ladies at the organization’s annual Celebration Luncheon Thursday, the nonprofit is fulfilling its mission.
Nearly 600 supporters, sponsors, alumni and families crowded under a big white tent outside the DoubleTree Hilton hotel. It was the largest turnout in the 31 years of this celebratory fundraising event.
Deb Ansourlian, Girls Inc. of Lynn executive director, thanked the sponsors and attendees for supporting the organization.
Kathleen Tucker, president of the board of directors, said she and everyone at Girls Inc., “believes every girl should have the opportunity to dream, dream big and achieve those dreams.”
Emy Diaz, a senior at Lynn Classical High, was one of only 23 girls in the U.S. and Canada to receive a national scholarship. “My life changed immensely after joining Girls Inc. when I was a sophomore. My confidence as a young woman increased as did my motivation to focus on my goals,” she said.
Three Lynn high school seniors — AnnaCarollina Souza and Caprice Beato of Classical, and Jhoana Tavarez of English — were named Girl Heroes, “the culmination of hard work,” said Ansourlian. Each got emotional while talking about their Girls Inc. experience and thanking their parents for support and encouragement. Even emcee Latoyia Edwards, NBC10 Boston news anchor, was tearing up and many attendees were crying as well.
Souza will be the first in her family to attend college and will study nursing; she has been accepted to six colleges. Beato has been accepted to nine of the nation’s top nursing programs, and has received full scholarship offers. Tavarez wants to study child psychology and has been accepted to eight colleges. “I’m waiting to see who offers the best financial package,” she said, to laughs and cheers.
The red-clad Girls Inc. of Lynn choir sang three songs, all with inspirational, positive messages.
Isaura Beltre, who began attending Girls Inc. of Lynn in the sixth grade and now, as a successful businesswoman, stays involved, was featured alumna speaker. She mentors girls on career exploration, empowerment, finances and how to be a positive role model.
Beltre, a first-generation American whose parents came to Lynn from the Dominican Republic, was most recently vice president, regional merchandise manager northeast region for Macy’s, responsible for $900 million in merchandise. She is also an adjunct professor of marketing at Bentley University, where she earned Master of Science and Bachelor of Science degrees.
“Both my parents worked full time, and my mother went to night school, too,” she said, adding that they were loving and supportive. But growing up in Lynn presented its challenges, and Girls Inc. “was a safe haven for my sister and me. It taught me confidence and people skills and so much more, skills that I still use today. And we had a lot of fun.” Her siblings, grandmother, son, and significant other were on hand to applaud her achievements.
“I’m an end product of the Girls Inc. experience,” Beltre said.
“When I wrote my college essay for a scholarship to Bentley, I noted that it was my dream to return to Girls Inc. as a board member.” She did that. Beltre also secured a $10,000 gift from Macy’s for Girls Inc. of Lynn.
Caryl Capeci, Hearts On Fire Diamonds’ president, was honored for being a strong, smart and bold Girls Inc. partner. The Boston-based firm teamed with the Lynn organization to create, design and develop a new jewelry collection. For the past year, young ladies from Lynn worked side by side with Hearts on Fire staff in town every step of the way, from conception to marketing to actual selling of the jewelry. A portion of proceeds are donated back to Girls Inc. They go on sale April 8, International Women’s Day.
“Diamonds are rare, natural, precious, and radiate energy from within,” said Capeci. “That also describes every girl in this room right now. These girls sparkle, just like diamonds.”