HerStory: OUR HISTORY

 

In the year 2000, a group of Greensboro community leaders and computer industry professionals with Brenda Mewborn founded TechStart Inc., a computer technology center that offered family focused computer skill training to assist parents and children to advance their knowledge and skill levels in computer technology. With financial support from The Community Foundation of Greater Greensboro, The Junior League, Guilford County, Holy Trinity Episcopal Church, Bell South, local businesses, and many individual donors, one of the goals of the organization was to inspire more females and minorities to pursue technical careers.  During the summers of 2000 through 2004 over 250 children attended computer camp and Girl’s residential Computer Camp, where they learned computer skills, explored technology careers, and discussed the important issues in their lives.

 

Girls in Guilford County, like girls across the country, face many challenging issues. Teen pregnancy, substance abuse and unhealthy relationships to name just a few.

 

In order to address these issues, TechStart founders decided to expand their work with girls and young women to offer more comprehensive, year-round programming.  After surveying the local and national landscape, the founders concluded that their values were a natural fit with those of Girls Incorporated®, a national youth development organization whose mission is to inspire all girls to be strong, smart and bold.

 

For over 140 years, Girls Incorporated  has provided educational programs to thousands of girls, particularly those in high-risk, underserved areas. Girls Inc. distinguishes itself by developing research-based interactive programs delivered by trained staff to encourage girls to take risks and to master physical, intellectual, and emotional challenges.

 

We joined the ranks of Girls Incorporated from 2005 through 2013. The mission of Girls Inc. of Guilford County was to provide programs to inspire all girls to be strong, smart and bold and empower them to reach their full potential. Our primary goal was to offer after-school programs in schools, recreation centers and churches, led by trained Girls Inc. staff to girls in diverse communities throughout Guilford County. We were very successful in our serving girls in Guilford County and the surrounding area.

 

At the end of 2013 our Board and Executive Director , Mrs. Brenda Mewborn realized that our goals to serve girls in this area were best done as an independent organization and changed our name to Empowered Girls of North Carolina. We want to focus on girls and helping them to make good choices for their lives.

 

The goals of EMPOWERED GIRLS OF NORTH CAROLINA include the following:

 

Provide A Sense of Purpose.  Both academically and personally, instilling a sense of purpose is the hallmark of our work with girls and young women.  We stress that leadership, whether in athletics, academics or in community service is to make a thoughtful decision – then move forward.  From purpose springs direction, goals and the motivation to see those goals to fruition.

 

Provide an Atmosphere of Diversity.  Diversity of people, of cultures, of body and learning types.  Diversity fosters a spirit of inquiry, problem solving, acceptance of differences, creativity, ingenuity and love of learning.  Our staff and volunteers provide an environment in which girls are encouraged to form and express opinions and beliefs.  We encourage girls not only to push toward new frontiers, but also to challenge boundaries that could limit their success as women and as citizens.

 

Provide Life Skills.  We teach skills that allow the girls to approach problems and challenges in a positive and affirming way.  We go beyond self-esteem building to skill building so that girls can find a sense of worth through their accomplishments.

 

While the organizational name has changed over the years, two things remain consistent, the mission of our non-profit to serve and empower girls in the community and the passion of our Executive Director, Mrs Brenda Mewborn.

 

Serving girls since 2000!