WEBVTT 00:00:24.994 --> 00:00:32.103 - the city's liaison for the Commission on the Assess of Women. So on behalf of our commissioners, we'd 00:00:32.103 --> 00:00:37.470 - like to welcome you today to our 41st annual Women's History Month luncheon. 00:00:44.194 --> 00:00:53.227 - to have you here for an afternoon of celebration as we present our 2026 Women's Achievement Award winners 00:00:53.227 --> 00:01:02.090 - and enjoy a keynote address from the amazing CEO of Girl Scouts of Central Indiana, Dina Potter. Before 00:01:02.090 --> 00:01:10.782 - we begin, we wanted to take the time to recognize that what we are celebrating today is only possible 00:01:10.914 --> 00:01:17.824 - because of the generations of women before us who fought sacrificed organized marched supported one 00:01:17.824 --> 00:01:24.871 - another and lifted one another up. We are grateful for their steadfast courage and strength and carry 00:01:24.871 --> 00:01:32.403 - their determination forward in the work that we do today. We would also like to take a moment to acknowledge 00:01:32.403 --> 00:01:39.934 - the land beneath our feet. The city of Bloomington stands on the traditional homelands of the Miami Delaware 00:01:40.290 --> 00:01:48.173 - and Shawnee peoples, and we honor them as past and present caretakers. We also acknowledge that Indiana's 00:01:48.173 --> 00:01:55.683 - growth, including here in Bloomington, was shaped by the unpaid labor and forced servitude of people 00:01:55.683 --> 00:02:03.120 - of color, especially enslaved Africans. So as we gather today, let us remember these people and all 00:02:03.120 --> 00:02:10.110 - these pieces of our history, and may their lessons continue to help guide us into the future. 00:02:10.306 --> 00:02:19.478 - It is my pleasure to introduce you to the chair of the Commission on the Status of Women, Landry Culp. 00:02:19.478 --> 00:02:29.184 - Hello. Thank you, Marissa. And thank you all for being here today and joining us to celebrate the incredible 00:02:29.184 --> 00:02:33.726 - work women are doing in our Bloomington community. 00:02:35.202 --> 00:02:41.122 - My name is Landry Culp and I serve as the chair of the Commission on the Status of Women or BCSW. The 00:02:41.122 --> 00:02:46.926 - BCSW is dedicated to advocating for equity and improving opportunities for all who embrace a female 00:02:46.926 --> 00:02:52.788 - identity. We do this by monitoring and reviewing policies and legislation on the federal, state, and 00:02:52.788 --> 00:02:58.766 - local levels and engaging with our community to understand the needs of women. Our commission welcomes 00:02:58.766 --> 00:03:05.150 - everyone who identifies as a woman and those who feel our women-focused environment aligns with their values. 00:03:05.826 --> 00:03:12.606 - If you'd like to stay connected with the commission, please take a moment to scan the QR code on your 00:03:12.606 --> 00:03:19.320 - table and fill out the brief survey so we can share updates and opportunities with you. When Marissa 00:03:19.320 --> 00:03:26.100 - welcomed us earlier, she mentioned a remarkable milestone, 41 years. For more than four decades, this 00:03:26.100 --> 00:03:28.094 - luncheon has provided a space 00:03:28.194 --> 00:03:34.239 - to encourage connection, build community, and celebrate the women who give their time and their mental, 00:03:34.239 --> 00:03:40.517 - physical, and emotional energy to move our city forward. Spaces like this, this commission, this gathering, 00:03:40.517 --> 00:03:46.447 - and all of you who support it are important now more than ever. As the BCSW and with the support from 00:03:46.447 --> 00:03:52.434 - you all, we are able to amplify voices, stand up for women's rights, and help create a community where 00:03:52.434 --> 00:03:55.166 - the next generation of girls can truly thrive. 00:03:56.098 --> 00:04:02.238 - In that spirit, the commission would like to take a moment to remember our good friend and most feared 00:04:02.238 --> 00:04:08.200 - supporter, Charlotte Zietlow. Many of you know that Charlotte passed away in November of last year. 00:04:08.200 --> 00:04:14.221 - What you may not know is that in 1973, while serving as city council president, Charlotte introduced 00:04:14.221 --> 00:04:20.958 - ordinance 73-81. The following year that ordinance was approved, creating the commission on the status of women. 00:04:22.562 --> 00:04:28.099 - While the founding of our commission was just one of Charlotte's many contributions to Bloomington, 00:04:28.099 --> 00:04:33.801 - it is one for which we are especially grateful. Her vision made this work possible. Charlotte attended 00:04:33.801 --> 00:04:39.338 - many of these luncheons over the years, including just last year. Today we honor her legacy and her 00:04:39.338 --> 00:04:44.985 - commitment to the BCSW by wearing our Charlotte inspired hats. You may have also noticed that we have 00:04:44.985 --> 00:04:49.470 - a small memorial table and honor located off to the side of the stage over here. 00:04:50.402 --> 00:04:56.195 - where we have included a binder of original documents and photographs from the 1996 Women's History 00:04:56.195 --> 00:05:02.161 - Month luncheon when Charlotte herself was named Women of the Year. If you hadn't had a chance to visit 00:05:02.161 --> 00:05:08.069 - the memorial table, we invite you to do so after the program. Thank you for showing up and supporting 00:05:08.069 --> 00:05:13.920 - the work that she had the vision and inspiration to start. Her legacy lives on in so many ways. So I 00:05:13.920 --> 00:05:18.206 - close here by saying thank you. Thank you all for being here to celebrate 00:05:18.690 --> 00:05:34.180 - women, past, present, and future. Next, please join me as I welcome Mayor Carrie Thompson to the stage. 00:05:34.180 --> 00:05:48.478 - Hi, Bloomington and Bloomington women supporters. How are you this afternoon? Come on, come on. 00:05:50.466 --> 00:06:00.074 - It's spring outside, we have to act a little happier. We like to find hope wherever we can in the world 00:06:00.074 --> 00:06:09.312 - today. And it is my great honor to be with you for yet another Women's History Month luncheon. This 00:06:09.312 --> 00:06:18.366 - is perhaps my favorite city-sponsored event of the year because this is the event that celebrates 00:06:19.522 --> 00:06:31.176 - some of the people who otherwise remain invisible to us. And when we go through Black History Month, 00:06:31.176 --> 00:06:42.946 - Women's History Month, our Latino Culture Month, these are the moments when we honor the stories that 00:06:42.946 --> 00:06:48.254 - so frequently go untold and we see the people 00:06:48.898 --> 00:06:56.902 - that make up our community every day. Thank you to the Commission on the Status of Women for all that 00:06:56.902 --> 00:07:04.749 - you do to get us here year round and lifting up our women's voices year round. And before we begin, 00:07:04.749 --> 00:07:12.675 - I want to recognize the women elected officials who are here today. And by that I mean, if you are a 00:07:12.675 --> 00:07:14.558 - woman and you have ever 00:07:14.786 --> 00:07:30.263 - been an elected official because I see some retired elected official women out there. Please stand and 00:07:30.263 --> 00:07:40.030 - let us give you a round of applause. Thank you for your service. 00:07:40.130 --> 00:07:51.962 - I also want to just take a moment to ask, and some people will be standing twice, if you are a woman 00:07:51.962 --> 00:08:03.677 - and you're currently running for office, could you please stand up? Asia. My deep thanks to each of 00:08:03.677 --> 00:08:09.886 - you for running for office. It is a courageous move. 00:08:10.370 --> 00:08:22.500 - No matter what the outcome, I thank you for stepping forward and for your leadership in leading a campaign. 00:08:22.500 --> 00:08:31.934 - One last round of applause. If you have been named a woman of the year in the past, 00:08:32.226 --> 00:08:37.801 - I know there's lots of us. I said this morning, once you're a woman of the year, you're always woman 00:08:37.801 --> 00:08:41.278 - of the year. You don't lose the crown. Could you please stand? 00:08:56.930 --> 00:09:05.140 - For the rest of you who are female in this room, I would like to see you standing during part of these 00:09:05.140 --> 00:09:13.190 - applause in coming years. Pick your passion. Run for office. Let us name you Women of the Year. Step 00:09:13.190 --> 00:09:21.321 - forward in leadership in whatever way that you see fit and that you feel called. This year's theme is 00:09:21.321 --> 00:09:24.190 - Women Shaping a Sustainable Future. 00:09:24.450 --> 00:09:32.258 - want to make that real today. A sustainable future is about more than what we're doing just for the 00:09:32.258 --> 00:09:40.067 - climate around us, but it is certainly about that. It is about everything that continues because of 00:09:40.067 --> 00:09:48.422 - us. It's whether the people coming behind you have a clearer path, have more support, and more opportunity 00:09:48.422 --> 00:09:52.638 - than we did. At its core, sustainability is personal. 00:09:53.602 --> 00:10:02.047 - and it shows up in everyday life. It's about whether your life works, whether your community works. 00:10:02.047 --> 00:10:10.662 - It's about whether the systems around you support you or expect you to meekly work around them. Let's 00:10:10.662 --> 00:10:19.445 - be clear. Women have been sustaining things long before we started calling it sustainability. Families, 00:10:19.445 --> 00:10:22.654 - workplaces, friendships, communities, 00:10:23.042 --> 00:10:33.045 - Group chats, households, calendars, carpools. It's an entire ecosystem of coordination and care. We 00:10:33.045 --> 00:10:43.448 - build networks without ever calling them networks. We mentor without titles. We create pathways without 00:10:43.448 --> 00:10:49.150 - always realizing that we've done it. That is leadership. 00:10:51.138 --> 00:10:59.544 - And that is what creates and sustains a community in the end. And at a moment like this, that kind of 00:10:59.544 --> 00:11:08.361 - leadership truly matters. We're living through a time when people see what happens when power concentrates 00:11:08.361 --> 00:11:17.014 - and overwhelms. Our voices get pushed out. Decisions move further away from the people that they affect. 00:11:17.014 --> 00:11:19.486 - It's felt in our daily lives. 00:11:20.194 --> 00:11:28.857 - in our communities, and in our sense of whether we belong in the future that we're building. In moments 00:11:28.857 --> 00:11:37.271 - like this, the answer is not to step back. It's to lean in. It's to protect participation, to expand 00:11:37.271 --> 00:11:43.518 - who gets heard, and to make sure leadership reflects the entire community. 00:11:44.802 --> 00:11:53.551 - This is not a time when we go back to playing a game we've been trying to reestablish rules for for 00:11:53.551 --> 00:12:02.387 - centuries. It's a time when we see that real progress is not bullying our way into a decision. It is 00:12:02.387 --> 00:12:11.486 - bringing people along and decisively leading. That requires women, because women lead with a wide lens. 00:12:12.226 --> 00:12:21.584 - More people get seen, heard, and have a fair shot because we have learned new ways of listening, specifically 00:12:21.584 --> 00:12:30.261 - in order to be heard. And we tend to set our ground rules accordingly. Women understand what it takes 00:12:30.261 --> 00:12:38.854 - to hold things together and to move them forward at the same time. That baby can certainly stay. His 00:12:38.854 --> 00:12:41.406 - voice is welcome in our room. 00:12:47.554 --> 00:12:58.720 - He doesn't want to stay, he doesn't have to though, but he's certainly not bothering me. We know as 00:12:58.720 --> 00:13:09.997 - women what it means to carry responsibility and to juggle many things at one time. We pay attention, 00:13:09.997 --> 00:13:14.910 - we anticipate needs, and women carry a deep 00:13:15.138 --> 00:13:24.344 - understanding of what it means to sustain life in all of its forms. That perspective allows a community 00:13:24.344 --> 00:13:33.196 - to thrive. A sustainable future requires potential to keep moving. It can't wait on luck or timing, 00:13:33.196 --> 00:13:42.136 - and it certainly can't wait for permission. It has to move from one person to another, generation to 00:13:42.136 --> 00:13:43.198 - generation. 00:13:44.514 --> 00:13:52.362 - In Bloomington, we focus on unlocking potential. That matters because potential on its own is never 00:13:52.362 --> 00:14:00.525 - enough. We all see what happens when potential gets stuck. Potential can sit quietly for years. It sits 00:14:00.525 --> 00:14:08.609 - in the back. It lives in the background of somebody's life. And it looks like someone doing everything 00:14:08.609 --> 00:14:12.062 - right and still wondering if that's enough. 00:14:13.986 --> 00:14:22.427 - Some of us are waiting for the right moment, the right signal, or simply the right kind of encouragement 00:14:22.427 --> 00:14:30.708 - to come forward. We all know people, and we certainly have been those people, who were capable of more 00:14:30.708 --> 00:14:39.069 - but didn't have a clear way in. Sometimes we don't have a clear way in until something shifts. And more 00:14:39.069 --> 00:14:42.526 - often than not, what shifts isn't a system 00:14:43.426 --> 00:14:52.308 - It's a human being. It's an individual who says, come sit here, try this, or I see something in you. 00:14:52.308 --> 00:15:01.190 - And if you think about your own life, you can probably name that person. I hope you can name several 00:15:01.190 --> 00:15:09.984 - of those people. One who opened the door, one who made space at a table, one who spoke your name in 00:15:09.984 --> 00:15:12.798 - a room that you weren't in yet. 00:15:14.146 --> 00:15:22.475 - the one who didn't wait for you to be perfectly ready, who saw something in you before it was fully 00:15:22.475 --> 00:15:30.804 - formed, and treated you like you already mattered. For me, that person was Charlotte Zietlow. I had 00:15:30.804 --> 00:15:39.550 - no idea that the grand dame of the Democratic Party in Bloomington even knew my name, but she called it. 00:15:40.354 --> 00:15:49.111 - by calling me on the telephone and asking me to come see her one summer afternoon 10 years ago for a 00:15:49.111 --> 00:15:57.955 - gin and tonic. Now Charlotte had a heavy pour. So if you've been to her house in the past, you likely 00:15:57.955 --> 00:16:06.972 - would know that. But I was careful not to drink that beverage that Charlotte poured me, to keep my wits 00:16:06.972 --> 00:16:08.446 - about me because 00:16:08.802 --> 00:16:17.896 - Anyone who's been in Charlotte's presence in the past will know that she will push you and try to get 00:16:17.896 --> 00:16:27.347 - you to agree to things. Charlotte, on that day, told me that I needed to run for mayor. I simply laughed. 00:16:27.347 --> 00:16:36.709 - I was not a mayor, nor was I a politician. I was in community development, and I was super happy leading 00:16:36.709 --> 00:16:38.046 - in that realm. 00:16:40.578 --> 00:16:50.335 - But that one conversation and Charlotte's renowned relentless persistence began my wondering, how could 00:16:50.335 --> 00:17:00.091 - I remain true to my roots in community development and run for office? And why weren't those two things 00:17:00.091 --> 00:17:02.718 - always inextricably linked? 00:17:03.970 --> 00:17:11.171 - That moment may have felt small at the time. I don't know if Charlotte felt like she was shouting into 00:17:11.171 --> 00:17:18.303 - a void and she had a parade of people coming to her house, asking them to run for office. But for me, 00:17:18.303 --> 00:17:25.644 - it changed the direction of what I thought was possible. And when that happens across a community, again 00:17:25.644 --> 00:17:30.398 - and again, across different spaces, across different people, that's 00:17:30.626 --> 00:17:40.133 - when something much larger takes hold. That's when sustainability begins to show up in a real way, in 00:17:40.133 --> 00:17:49.640 - a lived way. If we are not actively unlocking potential, we are unintentionally leaving it behind. We 00:17:49.640 --> 00:17:58.494 - are missing people who could lead, build, solve, and stay if only they were brought in sooner. 00:18:00.770 --> 00:18:09.633 - We are taking for granted our greatest community asset, our human gifts. And Bloomington cannot afford 00:18:09.633 --> 00:18:18.667 - that. If we want to be a place where people build lives, not just pass through, we have to make it clear 00:18:18.667 --> 00:18:27.358 - that there is space for them here. There is space for everyone here, and it's particularly important 00:18:28.098 --> 00:18:38.170 - that we are looking not only for white cisgendered straight women, that we are looking for women of 00:18:38.170 --> 00:18:48.444 - color, women who are LGBTQ plus. We are looking for women who don't yet have that leadership crown on 00:18:48.444 --> 00:18:55.998 - their head, who don't have a title, because those are the women who likely 00:18:56.354 --> 00:19:04.555 - have gifts that are hiding in the shadows. You are how potential lives in this community and how potential 00:19:04.555 --> 00:19:12.602 - moves in this community. And no matter your gender, you play a role in that, in seeing women, supporting 00:19:12.602 --> 00:19:21.033 - women, and in creating space for leadership to emerge and grow. Whether you are mentoring the next generation 00:19:21.033 --> 00:19:23.102 - or literally raising them, 00:19:24.354 --> 00:19:31.979 - Standing alongside someone in their work or stepping into something new yourself, you are shaping what 00:19:31.979 --> 00:19:39.456 - comes next for Bloomington. That is how a sustainable future is built and that is the kind of future 00:19:39.456 --> 00:19:46.859 - we are building together in Bloomington. Thank you for being here and thank you for being a part of 00:19:46.859 --> 00:19:48.414 - this important work. 00:20:02.914 --> 00:20:08.349 - Thank you, Mayor Thompson. We appreciate you being here and showing up for our commission and the work 00:20:08.349 --> 00:20:13.784 - that we do. Thank you. My name is Nicole Bennett, and I'm a commissioner on the Bloomington Commission 00:20:13.784 --> 00:20:19.114 - on the Status of Women. I'm really excited to bring us to the next part of our program, which is the 00:20:19.114 --> 00:20:24.444 - awards. This is the part where we get to honor and celebrate incredible women who are doing work for 00:20:24.444 --> 00:20:26.238 - women and girls in our community. 00:20:27.522 --> 00:20:35.922 - With this, the commission will recognize the 2026 Women's Achievement Award winners, which includes 00:20:35.922 --> 00:20:44.574 - the Young Woman of the Year, the Toby Strout Lifetime Contribution, and the Woman of the Year. To kick 00:20:44.574 --> 00:20:53.142 - off the awards presentation, I'll pass it over to the BCSW's high school liaison and my stepdaughter, 00:20:53.142 --> 00:20:55.998 - Bella Bennett. Thank you, Nicole. 00:20:58.370 --> 00:21:05.314 - My name is Bella Bennett. I am the High School Liaison for the Commission on the Status of Women, and 00:21:05.314 --> 00:21:12.257 - I'm excited to present the Young Woman of the Year Award. This award recognizes a young woman between 00:21:12.257 --> 00:21:19.201 - the ages of 11 and 18 years who has already, at a young age, impacted girls and women's issues in the 00:21:19.201 --> 00:21:23.966 - community. This year, the Young Woman of the Year is Isla Sorabi-Nia. 00:21:25.730 --> 00:21:31.097 - She is a senior at Bloomington High School North and is passionate about giving back to her community 00:21:31.097 --> 00:21:36.569 - and dedicating herself to matters related to women. Isla is co-president of Project Middle Way at BHSN, 00:21:36.569 --> 00:21:42.199 - which is affiliated with Middle Way House, a local nonprofit dedicated to supporting survivors of domestic 00:21:42.199 --> 00:21:44.830 - violence, sexual violence, and human trafficking. 00:21:45.570 --> 00:21:51.487 - Project Middle Way exists to give high school students voice and advocacy as well as plan, as well as 00:21:51.487 --> 00:21:56.824 - a place to learn about body positivity and healthy relationships. ILA has been instrumental 00:21:56.824 --> 00:22:02.799 - in the organization fundraisers such as annual fashion show and clothing drives where all proceeds and 00:22:02.799 --> 00:22:08.715 - donations go directly to Middle Way House. ILA is also an intern at Amplify Bloomington, president of 00:22:08.715 --> 00:22:12.254 - the BHSN Habitat for Humanity Club, president of BHSN Cougar 00:22:12.482 --> 00:22:18.121 - care meals and co-president of her graduating class for the past three years. She is a wonderful example 00:22:18.121 --> 00:22:23.599 - of what it means to be a strong young woman who advocates for others. Please join us in honoring Isla 00:22:23.599 --> 00:22:24.190 - Sorabinia. 00:22:53.026 --> 00:22:57.408 - Thank you so much. I'd like to quickly thank the commission on the status of women and the 00:22:57.408 --> 00:23:02.224 - city of Bloomington for enabling women to be celebrated and recognized for all of our achievements. 00:23:02.224 --> 00:23:06.462 - I'd also like to thank my family friends and teachers for all their support. Thank you. 00:23:23.746 --> 00:23:32.968 - I am Carrie Stillions, Executive Director of Middle Way House and BCSW Commissioner. I am so proud to 00:23:32.968 --> 00:23:42.732 - announce this next award named for former Middle Way House Executive Director and former BCSW Commissioner, 00:23:42.732 --> 00:23:49.694 - Toby Strout. The Toby Strout Lifetime Contribution Award recognizes a woman, 00:23:49.858 --> 00:23:59.315 - whose work significantly advances the status of women through leadership and through service. This year's 00:23:59.315 --> 00:24:08.595 - winner is a woman who leads with compassion, inclusivity, and an unwavering commitment to her community 00:24:08.595 --> 00:24:16.446 - by ensuring access to nutritious food and essential items without judgment or barriers. 00:24:17.314 --> 00:24:25.086 - Please join me in recognizing Executive Director of Pantry 279, Cindy Chavez. 00:24:52.482 --> 00:25:00.547 - What started as a Small Girl Scout project has now transformed under Cindy's leadership into one of 00:25:00.547 --> 00:25:08.693 - the most vital and high impact organizations in our area. Each month, Pantry 279 serves thousands of 00:25:08.693 --> 00:25:16.839 - families in over 39 counties who are facing food insecurity. Many of these families are led by women 00:25:16.839 --> 00:25:21.598 - balancing the stressors of caregiving, work, and finances. 00:25:22.530 --> 00:25:31.118 - In addition to addressing food insecurity, Cindy has created programs that support children year round, 00:25:31.118 --> 00:25:39.871 - including holiday assistance initiatives and partnerships that provide feminine hygiene products. Cindy's 00:25:39.871 --> 00:25:48.129 - impact on women and girls in our community has been profound by helping maintain health, stability, 00:25:48.129 --> 00:25:51.102 - and dignity during difficult times. 00:25:52.098 --> 00:26:01.913 - In the words of one of Cindy's nominators, Cindy's work reflects the very best of community leadership, 00:26:01.913 --> 00:26:11.728 - quiet, consistent, and deeply human. She advocates for those who are often overlooked, including single 00:26:11.728 --> 00:26:20.222 - mothers, caregivers, teenage girls, ensuring not only access to food and essential items, 00:26:20.802 --> 00:26:36.219 - but a sense of belonging. Congratulations, Cindy, on this well-deserved award. Thank you. Thank you. 00:26:36.219 --> 00:26:50.110 - Thank you, my family, of course. The girls who started it, the one whose mouth started it. 00:26:50.818 --> 00:26:56.894 - my incredible staff, board members, volunteers, and honestly, we wouldn't be here today without all 00:26:56.894 --> 00:27:03.031 - of you and the community supporting us and welcoming the pantry and letting us survive. So thank you 00:27:03.031 --> 00:27:06.494 - all so much, and thank you for dealing with my grandson. 00:27:23.298 --> 00:27:33.542 - Congratulations, Cindy. Good afternoon or morning. Hi, my name is Tanora Sapp. I'm a proud Girl Scout 00:27:33.542 --> 00:27:43.685 - troop co-leader, proud MCCSE teacher, proud Latina, proud commissioner of the Commission on Hispanic 00:27:43.685 --> 00:27:45.694 - and Latina Affairs. 00:27:45.954 --> 00:27:53.288 - Thank you. I have an honor here today to present the Woman of the Year Award, which is presented to 00:27:53.288 --> 00:28:00.695 - a woman who has improved the quality of life for other women through inspiration, community service, 00:28:00.695 --> 00:28:06.782 - or professional accomplishments. The 2026 Woman of the Year is Dr. Christine Belz. 00:28:25.058 --> 00:28:31.929 - Dr. Felix is an AP Biology and introductory science teacher at Bloomington High School South, where 00:28:31.929 --> 00:28:38.800 - she also serves as a STEAM coach and mentor. She's especially committed to mentoring young women in 00:28:38.800 --> 00:28:46.014 - STEM, including seven young women who were recently named the 2025 national winners in the Samsung Solve 00:28:46.014 --> 00:28:53.022 - for Tomorrow STEM Innovation Competition, and whose project was featured at the 2026 Winter Olympics. 00:28:57.378 --> 00:29:04.568 - Dr. Milks also currently serves as head coach of Bloomington South's Science Olympia team and has volunteered 00:29:04.568 --> 00:29:11.628 - her time to guide student-led innovation teams, which have developed creative community-oriented solutions. 00:29:11.628 --> 00:29:18.361 - Her work has created spaces, classroom teams, where young women learn to see themselves as scientists, 00:29:18.361 --> 00:29:23.198 - innovators, and leaders, and where their ideas are encouraged and valued. 00:29:23.522 --> 00:29:30.748 - In addition, Dr. Mills is a core volunteer and central organizer of the Girl Scouts of Central Indiana 00:29:30.748 --> 00:29:38.114 - and leads an intentionally inclusive multi-age troop in Monroe County. She is instrumental in organizing 00:29:38.114 --> 00:29:45.199 - many educational and entrepreneurial events for the Girl Scout community, such as the Fourth of July 00:29:45.199 --> 00:29:51.934 - Parade and the Cookie Rally. Look at your cookies, which she leads with passion and excitement. 00:29:52.066 --> 00:29:59.217 - In 2024, she was named Girl Scouts of Central Indiana Leader of the Year. Dr. Milks is a pillar and 00:29:59.217 --> 00:30:06.369 - a role model in our community, showing girls what it looks like to live with integrity, compassion, 00:30:06.369 --> 00:30:13.592 - and courage. As one of her nominators wrote, through her own example and constant encouragement, she 00:30:13.592 --> 00:30:20.958 - showed me that barriers are meant to be challenged. Ultimately, Dr. Milks inspired me to dream bigger, 00:30:21.314 --> 00:30:28.810 - with empathy and believe in myself. As a personal note, Kiki, her camp name, has made an impact not 00:30:28.810 --> 00:30:36.681 - only on my professional and personal life, but more importantly on my daughter's experience as a student 00:30:36.681 --> 00:30:44.477 - at Bloomington High School South and as a Girl Scout. We are so happy to be together to be part of this 00:30:44.477 --> 00:30:50.174 - celebration and to count her as a colleague, Girl Scout sister, and friend. 00:30:50.434 --> 00:31:05.648 - Please join me in congratulating the 2026 One of the Year, Dr. Kirsten Milks. Hi. I just wanted to start 00:31:05.648 --> 00:31:18.398 - by saying that I know a lot of people in the room, and you're awesome. And I think that 00:31:19.106 --> 00:31:26.799 - The most important thing for me as I've been thinking about what it looks like to authentically engage 00:31:26.799 --> 00:31:34.267 - and empower youth are kind of three things. So the first one, Mayor Kerry, are you still here? Like 00:31:34.267 --> 00:31:42.035 - you said the thing, so I'm just going to echo it and I'm thankful for that. That the work that happens, 00:31:42.035 --> 00:31:44.574 - projects are dependent on people. 00:31:45.314 --> 00:31:52.239 - and the relationships that they make and the mentorship and the space. So because I have a lot of people 00:31:52.239 --> 00:31:58.835 - in the room who have care taken and meant a lot to me on my journey to empowering kids with a focus 00:31:58.835 --> 00:32:05.562 - in Girl Scouts on women and girls, I'd like you to think of somebody who was important to you. And if 00:32:05.562 --> 00:32:08.926 - you feel so moved in a moment, I'd like their name 00:32:09.058 --> 00:32:16.822 - out of you in this room so that we can have a large collection of the people who have supported and 00:32:16.822 --> 00:32:24.587 - mentored us. So I'm going to go first, because I get to. There are a lot of people here that I have 00:32:24.587 --> 00:32:32.584 - taught and loved. But a person I've been thinking a lot about is Katura, who's in the back of my room. 00:32:32.584 --> 00:32:38.718 - She's a 2021 BHSS graduate. And she is a huge part of what has taught me about 00:32:39.074 --> 00:32:50.712 - what it means to be a young person today and what's possible for incredible young people. So who's your 00:32:50.712 --> 00:33:02.686 - Keturah? Ready? Three, two, one. Toby Strout. Yeah. And a lot of other names too. So Charlotte. Charlotte. 00:33:03.458 --> 00:33:12.954 - And like my mother-in-law, who drove all the way from Indianapolis to be here today, when we think about 00:33:12.954 --> 00:33:21.998 - what is next and how we build a sustainable, high-impact, humane, collaborative future, it is those 00:33:21.998 --> 00:33:26.430 - relationships and understanding what's possible. 00:33:26.690 --> 00:33:33.663 - And that's why I'm so thankful to be in our school corporation, to have worked with your amazing kids, 00:33:33.663 --> 00:33:40.433 - to Dr. Winston for her exceptional leadership and care, and to the school board. I mean, it is such 00:33:40.433 --> 00:33:47.473 - a joy to come to school every day and to go to our Girl Scout meetings and to be in community with Girl 00:33:47.473 --> 00:33:51.806 - Scouts and the adults who care take them and to just see what's 00:33:52.002 --> 00:34:00.263 - And to that end, I'm so thankful that in a moment we're going to get to hear from Dina, our wonderful 00:34:00.263 --> 00:34:08.604 - new CEO of Girl Scouts of Central Indiana. I just, what's magical for me about Girl Scouts is not just 00:34:08.604 --> 00:34:15.326 - the people you see in their vests and their tabs, it's the adults and the families 00:34:15.746 --> 00:34:21.699 - and getting to know a little bit more about the amazing things that are happening in our community. 00:34:21.699 --> 00:34:27.950 - And those stories aren't mine to share, right? I know a lot of things about what have happened for girls 00:34:27.950 --> 00:34:33.904 - and women and kids in general as they go on their way and learn to be leaders. You should know that 00:34:33.904 --> 00:34:36.702 - behind the scenes, there are women making real 00:34:36.802 --> 00:34:43.634 - differences. And in fact, for everybody who's up here on the stage, there are people like Heather and 00:34:43.634 --> 00:34:50.466 - Christy and Jenny, who are then my co-servant unit managers. There are people who have stopped to say 00:34:50.466 --> 00:34:57.432 - hi to you when your kids were rampaging in the yard. Victoria, where are you dear? Right? Like, I just, 00:34:57.432 --> 00:35:04.732 - it really, Bloomington is such a beautiful place because we have built and continue to build these welcoming 00:35:04.732 --> 00:35:06.206 - and warm connections. 00:35:06.402 --> 00:35:12.956 - and I feel really thankful to be a part of it. And last but not least, Cindy, I've been fangirling you 00:35:12.956 --> 00:35:19.700 - for a long time, and my troop has a donation in my trunk to give to the food pantry, so. Thanks everybody 00:35:19.700 --> 00:35:23.454 - so much. It means a lot, and I'm very thankful to be here. 00:35:40.866 --> 00:35:49.442 - Can we give another round of applause for our 2026 Women Achievement Award winners? You all are true 00:35:49.442 --> 00:35:58.188 - examples of leadership, advocacy, and empowerment, and we are forever indebted to you in the ways that 00:35:58.188 --> 00:36:03.198 - you improve the lives of women and girls in our community. 00:36:03.394 --> 00:36:10.376 - My name is Shayla George and I am a BCSW Commissioner and a 2026 500 Festival Princess and I am pleased 00:36:10.376 --> 00:36:17.224 - to introduce our 2026 keynote speaker Dina Potter. Dina is the Chief Executive Officer of Girl Scouts 00:36:17.224 --> 00:36:24.206 - of Central Indiana the nation's 15th largest Girl Scout Council supporting more than 15,000 Girl Scouts 00:36:24.206 --> 00:36:27.294 - in 45 counties across the heart of our state. 00:36:28.002 --> 00:36:34.025 - She has served Girl Scouts of Central Indiana for 27 years, most recently holding the role of Chief 00:36:34.025 --> 00:36:40.650 - Operating Officer before being named CEO of January of this year. With a leadership grounded in authenticity, 00:36:40.650 --> 00:36:44.926 - collaboration, and a belief in the power of girls to be change makers, 00:36:44.994 --> 00:36:50.806 - Dina has advanced the mission of Girl Scouts through strategic initiatives and leadership at both the 00:36:50.806 --> 00:36:56.504 - local and national levels. A trusted innovator and proven servant leader, Dina has helped shape and 00:36:56.504 --> 00:37:02.430 - grow Girl Scouting across central Indiana by strengthening community partnerships and building programs 00:37:02.430 --> 00:37:08.128 - that empower girls with courage, confidence, and the character to lead. Please join us in welcoming 00:37:08.128 --> 00:37:08.926 - Dina Potterf. 00:37:23.682 --> 00:37:30.826 - Hello, Bloomington. Oh, my goodness. This feels like Girl Scout Day. And I am here for it. I am here 00:37:30.826 --> 00:37:37.545 - for it. Thank you so much for having me. I'm not sure if you know I'm a proud Purdue graduate. 00:37:37.545 --> 00:37:44.760 - And so thanks. Thank you, Bloomington, for that warm welcome. Love that. Love that. Right? So here we 00:37:44.760 --> 00:37:50.206 - go. It is such an honor to be with you here today for Women's History Month. 00:37:50.722 --> 00:37:56.911 - And today I'm going to share more about the power of mentorship to grow sustainable leadership in women. 00:37:56.911 --> 00:38:03.042 - And it sounds like, and I know we do, have quite a few folks in this room who have wonderful experience 00:38:03.042 --> 00:38:08.995 - developing future leaders. First to get us started, if you are a Girl Scout or a Girl Scout alum, if 00:38:08.995 --> 00:38:14.949 - you're able, will you please stand? All my Girl Scouts, Girl Scout alum. Look at that. Look at that. 00:38:14.949 --> 00:38:19.134 - It's more than half the room. Thank you, thank you. You may be seated. 00:38:22.050 --> 00:38:29.061 - Okay. So I'd like to begin with a picture from nature. In forestry studies, there's something called 00:38:29.061 --> 00:38:36.003 - a mother tree. She's often the largest, most mature tree in the forest, but her real power isn't in 00:38:36.003 --> 00:38:43.153 - stretching highest towards the sun. Her power is in what you cannot see under the surface. Beneath the 00:38:43.153 --> 00:38:49.470 - soil, she's connected to saplings and struggling plants through a vast, invisible network. 00:38:50.498 --> 00:38:57.782 - Through that network, she sends nutrients, shares resources, and transmits chemical signals to help 00:38:57.782 --> 00:39:05.430 - the young trees grow and help the whole forest stay resilient. She gives what she has quietly, steadily, 00:39:05.430 --> 00:39:12.859 - intentionally, so the forest thrives long after she's gone. That to me is a perfect metaphor for what 00:39:12.859 --> 00:39:16.574 - girls need today and for what we are called to do. 00:39:17.762 --> 00:39:24.954 - If you've ever planted a young tree, you know it needs extra care at the beginning. More water, more 00:39:24.954 --> 00:39:32.217 - protection, sometimes even a stake to help it grow up towards the sun. Girls and emerging leaders are 00:39:32.217 --> 00:39:39.480 - no different. Early support matters. Encouragement matters. Having someone steady beside you in those 00:39:39.480 --> 00:39:46.814 - early moments can shape everything that comes next. We, as advocates for women and girls, are stewards 00:39:47.234 --> 00:39:53.827 - rooted in community, connected beneath the surface in ways that are often invisible, but always powerful. 00:39:53.827 --> 00:40:00.421 - And we can be that system of support, linking our resources to help the next generation of leaders thrive 00:40:00.421 --> 00:40:06.765 - and reach their full potential. Women have always been powerful stewards of the future, often quietly 00:40:06.765 --> 00:40:13.110 - and consistently through presence and mentorship. And I know many of you in the room regularly mentor 00:40:13.110 --> 00:40:16.158 - girls. We've been talking about it this morning. 00:40:16.482 --> 00:40:22.538 - Whether it's in your professional role as an educator, a business leader, or public servant, or in a 00:40:22.538 --> 00:40:28.534 - personal capacity as a caregiver or family or community member. Can I see a show of hands? How many 00:40:28.534 --> 00:40:34.529 - of you are educators? Where are educators in the room? I know, I know you're here. Thank you, thank 00:40:34.529 --> 00:40:40.585 - you so much for that. That's right, that's right. We have no idea what they do, I guarantee you. How 00:40:40.585 --> 00:40:45.022 - many of you are caregivers? Where are my moms, dads, grandparents, right? 00:40:46.818 --> 00:40:53.317 - So how many of you work with girls in another capacity? That's probably everybody else, right? We all 00:40:53.317 --> 00:40:59.943 - touch in some way. So many of you in the room likely already know this. Girls in Indiana are navigating 00:40:59.943 --> 00:41:06.506 - complex challenges, and they're also incredibly resilient. The Indiana Girl Report, we're in our third 00:41:06.506 --> 00:41:13.004 - year for that, gives us data and direction. When we look at what girls in Indiana are telling us, one 00:41:13.004 --> 00:41:16.190 - theme rises to the surface. They need connection. 00:41:17.314 --> 00:41:23.618 - They need that understory beneath the forest, the support system that helps them grow strong enough 00:41:23.618 --> 00:41:30.238 - to weather the challenges that they face. Here's what we know. Potential and pressure live side by side. 00:41:30.238 --> 00:41:36.858 - Hoosier girls have unlimited potential, yet they're facing disproportionate challenges compared to their 00:41:36.858 --> 00:41:43.351 - male peers. But they're real bright spots, too. Girls in Indiana continue to lead boys in earning more 00:41:43.351 --> 00:41:47.134 - A's. Their dropout rate continues to decline, now under 5%. 00:41:48.226 --> 00:41:54.818 - Right? And the graduation rate is more than one and a half percentage points higher than the national 00:41:54.818 --> 00:42:01.280 - average, the highest rate in the past decade. But our girls are facing real challenges too. Ours is 00:42:01.280 --> 00:42:07.871 - not just a girl issue. It's a workforce issue, a mental health issue, and a leadership pipeline issue 00:42:07.871 --> 00:42:14.657 - that touches every sector of the state. And most importantly, the Indiana Girl Report is about listening 00:42:14.657 --> 00:42:17.694 - to girls, not assuming we know what they need. 00:42:18.658 --> 00:42:25.438 - If we want to understand how girls see the world and how the world sees them, we have to start listening 00:42:25.438 --> 00:42:32.476 - to their voices. The Indiana Girl Report offers the most comprehensive, research-based view of the realities 00:42:32.476 --> 00:42:39.255 - facing girls in Indiana. It integrates state and national data alongside insights from girls themselves. 00:42:39.255 --> 00:42:45.777 - It surfaces urgent themes like mental health, mental health and anxiety, body image and self-esteem, 00:42:45.777 --> 00:42:47.262 - leadership confidence, 00:42:47.842 --> 00:42:54.234 - academic and career aspirations, and the influence of social media. It highlights strengths as much 00:42:54.234 --> 00:43:00.945 - as challenges, because data without solutions can become a deficit story. As we like to say, this report 00:43:00.945 --> 00:43:07.337 - doesn't just highlight gaps, it highlights their potential. Here's some key findings in the Indiana 00:43:07.337 --> 00:43:13.857 - Girl Report. Girls are carrying a heavy mental load. The report also highlights something every adult 00:43:13.857 --> 00:43:16.286 - in this room probably sees every day. 00:43:17.026 --> 00:43:24.380 - Girls are growing up in a world that never turns off. They tell us the pressure to be perfect is relentless. 00:43:24.380 --> 00:43:31.262 - And the comparison machine of social media only amplifies it. Compared with boys, girls report higher 00:43:31.262 --> 00:43:38.211 - rates of bullying and cyberbullying. In fact, bullying at two times the rate of boys and cyberbullying 00:43:38.211 --> 00:43:44.958 - at three times. With female bullying up 30%, 30% in the past year. Right? This isn't just the data. 00:43:45.474 --> 00:43:52.321 - It's a signal that tells us that we need active engagement to help girls move forward. So one key takeaway, 00:43:52.321 --> 00:43:58.660 - we cannot talk about academic achievement, leadership, or career pathways without addressing mental 00:43:58.660 --> 00:44:05.126 - health head on. Many girls are spending hours a day online and that constant noise can sometimes lead 00:44:05.126 --> 00:44:11.529 - to deeper feelings of anxiety or isolation. But here's the paradox. Connection is both the challenge 00:44:11.529 --> 00:44:12.670 - and the solution. 00:44:14.274 --> 00:44:20.811 - Because what girls are really craving isn't more notifications. It's meaningful relationships. They 00:44:20.811 --> 00:44:27.545 - want to be truly seen. Hoosier girls have a leadership confidence gap. We see confidence dip in middle 00:44:27.545 --> 00:44:34.343 - school, a time of intense identity formation. Many girls hesitate to call themselves leaders, even when 00:44:34.343 --> 00:44:40.946 - they are already leading. The issue isn't talent or capability. The issue is support, access to role 00:44:40.946 --> 00:44:43.038 - models, to real responsibility, 00:44:43.426 --> 00:44:49.717 - to spaces where mistakes are treated as data, not destiny. Another key takeaway, leadership is not a 00:44:49.717 --> 00:44:55.946 - title you wait to be given. It's a practice you grow, like roots, through opportunities to use your 00:44:55.946 --> 00:45:02.176 - voice and try hard things with people who've got your back. Our girls are also struggling with body 00:45:02.176 --> 00:45:08.778 - image and self worth. Body dissatisfaction now begins at younger ages, and it's directly linked to mental 00:45:08.778 --> 00:45:10.398 - health and participation. 00:45:11.234 --> 00:45:18.211 - When a girl doesn't feel confident in her own skin, it limits everything else. Whether she raises her 00:45:18.211 --> 00:45:25.189 - hand, joins a team, tries robotics, or volunteers to lead, she has to be confident and comfortable in 00:45:25.189 --> 00:45:32.029 - who she is. Here's another key takeaway. Programs that build healthy self-talk, media literacy, and 00:45:32.029 --> 00:45:38.938 - body neutrality are not extras. They are prerequisites for participation in life. But there is hope. 00:45:38.938 --> 00:45:40.990 - Indiana's girls are resilient 00:45:41.826 --> 00:45:48.083 - Here's the part I want to shout from the rooftops. Girls care. They care deeply about community issues. 00:45:48.083 --> 00:45:54.160 - They want to lead and make change. They're not disengaged. They're waiting to be invited in. One way 00:45:54.160 --> 00:46:00.718 - our organization offers that invitation is through Girl Scout Gold Award projects, which improve communities 00:46:00.718 --> 00:46:06.915 - and often launch careers of impact. When girls are trusted with real problems and real responsibility, 00:46:06.915 --> 00:46:11.006 - they rise. So here's a final takeaway from the Indiana Girl Report. 00:46:11.586 --> 00:46:18.467 - The opportunity gap is not a talent gap, it's an invitation gap. So how can we all help? Provide community, 00:46:18.467 --> 00:46:24.901 - consistent mentoring, and adult allies who listen deeply before they try to fix anything. In nature, 00:46:24.901 --> 00:46:31.463 - the network runs both ways. Saplings don't just receive, they also help nourish the older trees. Girls 00:46:31.463 --> 00:46:38.152 - tell us the same is true in their lives when they're invited into meaningful communities like Girl Scout 00:46:38.152 --> 00:46:40.446 - troops, teams, clubs, youth boards, 00:46:40.770 --> 00:46:47.324 - their confidence grows. And they, in turn, energize the adults around them with fresh ideas and courage. 00:46:47.324 --> 00:46:53.628 - This is why community is not a soft idea. It's a hard strategy. Small moments of encouragement, like 00:46:53.628 --> 00:47:00.181 - you belong here. Your idea matters. We've got you no matter what. You can alter the direction of a life. 00:47:00.181 --> 00:47:06.548 - Leadership grows in shared, interconnected networks, not in competitive silos. Women and girls thrive 00:47:06.548 --> 00:47:09.918 - when we lift one another up, not when we stand alone. 00:47:10.690 --> 00:47:16.481 - These are the roots that sustain a generation of changemakers. The Indiana Girl Report isn't just data, 00:47:16.481 --> 00:47:22.273 - it's a driver of action. So here's what we're doing at Girl Scouts. With support from two Colts Kicking 00:47:22.273 --> 00:47:27.842 - the Stigma grants, we're integrating mental health programming throughout our summer camps over the 00:47:27.842 --> 00:47:33.689 - next two years. We're also hosting trainings and retreats for girls and adults, Girl Scouts, volunteers, 00:47:33.689 --> 00:47:35.582 - and youth workers from statewide. 00:47:35.842 --> 00:47:41.509 - so that the adults in a girl's life know how to be that steady, connected network that she can count 00:47:41.509 --> 00:47:47.288 - on. Girls tell us they want to be seen as capable and not fragile. They want adults to listen more and 00:47:47.288 --> 00:47:52.955 - fix less. They crave real conversations, not surface-level empowerment. And when we shift how we see 00:47:52.955 --> 00:47:59.071 - girls, we shift what they believe about themselves. At Camp Delwood, our team is focused on STEM programming 00:47:59.071 --> 00:48:02.494 - that introduces girls to STEM-related careers very early on. 00:48:03.202 --> 00:48:08.478 - Ask most eight-year-olds what they want to be, and you'll often hear teacher, fabulous career, 00:48:08.478 --> 00:48:14.199 - or veterinarian. Our miniature schnauzer pups love the veterinarian. They think that's very important, 00:48:14.199 --> 00:48:19.864 - too. But our programs are widening the lens, providing more opportunities from coding and robotics to 00:48:19.864 --> 00:48:25.974 - engineering and motorsports. Among our Girl Scouts, we're cultivating what I refer to as everyday leadership, 00:48:25.974 --> 00:48:30.750 - the courage to use your voice and your experience to nurture others so they can grow. 00:48:31.490 --> 00:48:37.582 - Leadership is not a spotlight, it's stewardship. We recently launched Girls in Gear, a program that 00:48:37.582 --> 00:48:43.734 - opens the door to the world of motorsports. You don't have to be a race car driver to belong in that 00:48:43.734 --> 00:48:49.886 - world. There are engineers, data scientists, safety innovators, logistics leaders, and more. We want 00:48:49.886 --> 00:48:56.222 - girls to see it, name it, and believe, I can do that. The program was featured on NBC Nightly News Kids 00:48:56.222 --> 00:48:58.110 - Edition, so let's take a look. 00:49:20.258 --> 00:49:27.229 - You know, maybe, maybe not. Looks like we're working on it in the back there. Marissa? OK. All right. 00:49:27.229 --> 00:49:34.131 - So that clip is available online. It is a fabulous clip, right? Go take a look. We're super excited. 00:49:34.131 --> 00:49:40.965 - And we are very proud of the girls that are featured in it and the innovative programming. And come 00:49:40.965 --> 00:49:46.910 - to Dulwood. Come to Cape Dulwood in Indianapolis, because you can see it in real time. 00:49:47.874 --> 00:49:53.418 - Something new this year is the Indiana Girl Report is the addition of girls' voices. We listened to 00:49:53.418 --> 00:49:59.239 - 91 girls across the state of Indiana, not just Girl Scouts. They told us what helps, social connections, 00:49:59.239 --> 00:50:05.060 - a sense of community, there's that community word again, and support of adults who show up consistently. 00:50:05.060 --> 00:50:10.936 - Over and over, girls named the invisible network that Girl Scouts provides, friends for life, and mentors 00:50:10.936 --> 00:50:16.702 - who model empathy, collaboration, and generosity. They also told us what gets in their way, comparison, 00:50:17.186 --> 00:50:23.088 - perfectionism, and the fear of failing in public. And when they told us what they want from us, 00:50:23.088 --> 00:50:29.358 - they said, invite us in, trust us with real challenges, and stay with us when it's messy. Let me tell 00:50:29.358 --> 00:50:35.506 - you about a couple of Indiana Gold Award Girl Scouts named Hope and Hazel. Hope grew up shy, smart, 00:50:35.506 --> 00:50:41.653 - curious, but unsure of her voice. During 13 years in Girl Scouts, her confidence grew root by root, 00:50:41.653 --> 00:50:45.342 - nurtured by supportive adults and meaningful opportunities. 00:50:46.050 --> 00:50:52.389 - When it came time to choose her Gold Award project, she focused on something unexpected, sharks. Right? 00:50:52.389 --> 00:50:58.606 - She realized kids learn to fear them before they ever learn the science behind them. So Hope designed 00:50:58.606 --> 00:51:04.945 - two full STEM curricula on shark conservation, now used across the schools where she grew up. She spent 00:51:04.945 --> 00:51:11.222 - 95 hours creating hands-on lessons that replaced fear with curiosity, introducing hundreds of students 00:51:11.222 --> 00:51:12.990 - to real scientific thinking. 00:51:14.082 --> 00:51:19.880 - Today, Hope's work lives on in classrooms every semester. She changed hearts, shaped minds, and showed 00:51:19.880 --> 00:51:25.565 - what happens when a girl is trusted with real problems to solve. That is what leadership looks like. 00:51:25.565 --> 00:51:31.306 - This is what happens when we listen to girls and invite them in. Let me also share Hazel's story. She 00:51:31.306 --> 00:51:37.047 - moved to Bloomington from Montana. Because of the community and friendships she developed, she stayed 00:51:37.047 --> 00:51:43.070 - connected with her former troop and built her Girl Scout Gold Award project in Monroe and Greene counties. 00:51:43.778 --> 00:51:50.477 - Her project, the Indiana Prevention Project, focused on early substance use prevention for youth using 00:51:50.477 --> 00:51:57.631 - public art, social media, and youth engagement. Drawing on inspiration from a Paint the State drug prevention 00:51:57.631 --> 00:52:04.200 - mural program from Montana, she designed a social media campaign and website for youth in Monroe and 00:52:04.200 --> 00:52:10.704 - Greene counties to create and submit public art designs raising awareness of substance abuse risks. 00:52:10.704 --> 00:52:13.566 - Hazel collaborated with local organizations 00:52:13.730 --> 00:52:19.630 - city officials, and schools to secure support and resources. And then she established a nonprofit to 00:52:19.630 --> 00:52:25.530 - secure funding, including an award for the winning youth design. Hazel launched a school-based mural 00:52:25.530 --> 00:52:31.430 - action club to engage students in community art and prevention activities. And she set up plans with 00:52:31.430 --> 00:52:37.739 - local business to host a second mural contest featuring a graffiti artist, ensuring ongoing sustainability. 00:52:37.739 --> 00:52:43.230 - Now, I don't know about you, but when I was 16 or 17 years old, I probably wasn't doing that. 00:52:43.330 --> 00:52:48.729 - Like, that's fabulous, right? Lastly, I'd like to share the story of Girl Scout Jemma, who lives just 00:52:48.729 --> 00:52:54.075 - a little north of us in Bartholomew County. Her Bronze Award project focuses on helping the girls in 00:52:54.075 --> 00:52:59.473 - her school feel safe and supported. Jemma noticed that some of the girls at school didn't have access 00:52:59.473 --> 00:53:04.872 - to hygiene products like deodorant or pads, and they were too embarrassed to ask for help. She talked 00:53:04.872 --> 00:53:10.483 - with her school counselor and nurse, and they confirmed this was a real need for the girls in the school. 00:53:10.483 --> 00:53:13.182 - After further discussing the issue with her peers, 00:53:13.378 --> 00:53:19.370 - Jemma developed a carrying cart that would allow girls to privately get access to the hygiene supplies 00:53:19.370 --> 00:53:25.421 - they needed. The carrying cart was placed in the girls' restroom and included toothpaste, toothbrushes, 00:53:25.421 --> 00:53:31.239 - deodorant, brushes, hair ties, pads, and more. She even included a request box so girls can request 00:53:31.239 --> 00:53:37.173 - the things they need that aren't already on the cart. Jemma funded her project through donations from 00:53:37.173 --> 00:53:41.886 - local businesses and by making and selling earrings and slime at a craft market. 00:53:44.418 --> 00:53:50.196 - I know, right? That's what leadership looks like, though. That's what happens when girls want 00:53:50.196 --> 00:53:56.405 - real responsibility and community networks show up and help girls thrive. Here's what this means for 00:53:56.405 --> 00:54:02.675 - each of us. If the mother tree reminds us that leadership is a shared subterranean network, then each 00:54:02.675 --> 00:54:08.822 - of us has a role to play in strengthening the soil around girls. For parents and caregivers, listen 00:54:08.822 --> 00:54:12.510 - without judgment. Ask more questions than you have answers. 00:54:13.410 --> 00:54:20.810 - Normalize healthy risk-taking. Celebrate the try, not just the trophy. Model healthy self-talk. Let 00:54:20.810 --> 00:54:28.727 - her hear how you respond to your own mistakes with curiosity, not contempt. Normalize healthy risk-taking. 00:54:28.727 --> 00:54:36.496 - Model healthy self-talk. Let her hear how you respond to your own mistakes with curiosity, not contempt. 00:54:36.496 --> 00:54:43.230 - We covered that one. All right, here we go. For educators and youth-serving professionals, 00:54:43.874 --> 00:54:49.805 - Create spaces for girls to lead and to fail safely. You all just did that for me in this moment, and 00:54:49.805 --> 00:54:55.795 - I appreciate that. Notice the quiet leaders. Give them roles that matter, not just the tasks that are 00:54:55.795 --> 00:55:01.902 - tidy. Build communities of support where girls can be their authentic selves. The goal is not to polish 00:55:01.902 --> 00:55:07.833 - perfection, it's to cultivate their courage. For business and community leaders, mentor a girl. Your 00:55:07.833 --> 00:55:12.766 - lived experience is what the network needs. Invest in early leadership development. 00:55:13.218 --> 00:55:19.820 - The pipeline begins long before the internship does. Support Girl Scouts of Central Indiana, you know 00:55:19.820 --> 00:55:26.422 - I had to. Your partnership helps us scale mental health programming, STEM pathways, and opportunities 00:55:26.422 --> 00:55:33.282 - like Girls in Gear that expand what girls believe is possible. When girls thrive, our communities thrive. 00:55:33.282 --> 00:55:39.884 - That isn't just a slogan, it's an economic and civic truth. So, remember, the mother tree's influence 00:55:39.884 --> 00:55:41.502 - is quiet and consistent. 00:55:41.890 --> 00:55:48.050 - It looks like small moments, steady mentoring, a text that says, you belong, a meeting where we step 00:55:48.050 --> 00:55:54.150 - back so a girl can step forward. It looks like shared power, not power over, but power with others. 00:55:54.150 --> 00:56:00.493 - This is how forests grow resilient. This is how communities do too. I believe that women and girls have 00:56:00.493 --> 00:56:06.654 - limitless possibilities to change the world. And that is what happens when we tap into that powerful 00:56:06.654 --> 00:56:11.838 - network of support. I can still point to women in my life who changed my trajectory. 00:56:12.354 --> 00:56:17.737 - Thanks for inviting me to say the word Karen Wolford, the person who meant so much in my life as a mentor. 00:56:17.737 --> 00:56:22.919 - Sometimes they don't even realize it. There were mentors who saw leadership potential in me and called 00:56:22.919 --> 00:56:28.302 - me to serve at a greater level, saying, I see something in you, Dina, something you might not even realize 00:56:28.302 --> 00:56:33.434 - is there yet. There were women who spoke my name in rooms I wasn't even in, as the mayor mentioned as 00:56:33.434 --> 00:56:38.616 - well, leading to moments of opportunity and growth, women who time and time again showed me that their 00:56:38.616 --> 00:56:41.886 - belief in my capacity to do good in this world would never fade. 00:56:42.882 --> 00:56:48.923 - And today, as the leader of our amazing organization, I am reciprocating that energy, demonstrating 00:56:48.923 --> 00:56:55.024 - trust in the future leaders I'm helping to develop, speaking up and saying their names in every room 00:56:55.024 --> 00:57:01.185 - I'm in, saying, hey, you know who's good at that? You know who really deserves this opportunity? Have 00:57:01.185 --> 00:57:07.286 - you talked to this person? That's what we do as Girl Scouts. We say again and again, we know who you 00:57:07.286 --> 00:57:11.998 - are. We know what we stand for. We know our girls have what it takes to lead. 00:57:12.546 --> 00:57:18.740 - be the very best of us. From helping a girl pursue an award, to writing a formal recommendation letter, 00:57:18.740 --> 00:57:25.113 - to making a casual comment that opens up her perspective of the possibilities available to her. To helping 00:57:25.113 --> 00:57:31.247 - her have an experience or an adventure that changes everything. That's mentorship. Sometimes it's just 00:57:31.247 --> 00:57:37.382 - someone saying, I see something in you, go try it. Don't doubt yourself for one second. When one woman 00:57:37.382 --> 00:57:42.206 - invests in another, the impact doesn't double. It multiplies across communities. 00:57:42.626 --> 00:57:49.353 - workplaces, and generations across forests. Girls and young women are navigating a world that is more 00:57:49.353 --> 00:57:56.607 - connected, but also so much more complex and uncertain. Confidence gaps, representation gaps, and opportunity 00:57:56.607 --> 00:58:03.334 - gaps still exist. Mentorship helps close those gaps, not someday, but in real time. Because our girls 00:58:03.334 --> 00:58:10.654 - understand the challenges of today's world, it's critical for us to start supporting and investing in them now 00:58:11.010 --> 00:58:17.570 - so they're ready to answer the call of leadership in the future. Before we close, here are three things 00:58:17.570 --> 00:58:23.877 - you can do this month. Invite a girl into a real problem. Ask her, what's one thing you'd change at 00:58:23.877 --> 00:58:30.437 - school, in our neighborhood, or online? Be careful, because then, partner with her to make a plan. Help 00:58:30.437 --> 00:58:37.438 - her put it into action. Name what you see. Tell a girl specifically what she did that demonstrated leadership. 00:58:38.050 --> 00:58:44.692 - You organized the team's ideas. You stayed calm when the plan failed. You lifted someone else's voice. 00:58:44.692 --> 00:58:51.141 - And help her find her network. Connect her to a troop, a STEM event at Camp Delwood, or a community 00:58:51.141 --> 00:58:57.847 - project like Girls in Gear where she can try, learn, and belong. The forest you and I will walk through 00:58:57.847 --> 00:59:04.683 - years from now, healthier, taller, more resilient, with the work of what we do today beneath the surface. 00:59:04.683 --> 00:59:07.198 - In Indiana, we have everything we need 00:59:07.682 --> 00:59:14.019 - bright, determined girls, caring adults just like you, data points us along the way, and a community 00:59:14.019 --> 00:59:20.481 - ready to act. Let's be the network. Let's steward the future together. Thank you so much for your time 00:59:20.481 --> 00:59:26.880 - and commitment to the girls and women that we serve. And lastly, here's a quick note. Will you please 00:59:26.880 --> 00:59:31.774 - take a moment to scan? We have QR codes coming up here. Here we go. QR codes. 00:59:31.970 --> 00:59:37.056 - That will take you right to the Indiana Girl Report. You may download your own copy. Please refer to 00:59:37.056 --> 00:59:42.191 - that often, because we believe there's really great data in there that can help support our girls. So 00:59:42.191 --> 00:59:46.270 - thanks again, and I hope you have a wonderful afternoon. Thank you, Bloomington. 01:00:02.018 --> 01:00:08.877 - Thank you so much for that amazing keynote address, Dina. We are so grateful for the presence of Girl 01:00:08.877 --> 01:00:15.938 - Scouts in our local Indiana communities. I'm Hannah Chudley. And I am Cece Swalley. We are commissioners 01:00:15.938 --> 01:00:23.133 - on the Bloomington Commission on the Status of Women. We'd like to take a moment to recognize the sponsors 01:00:23.133 --> 01:00:29.118 - who made this amazing event possible today. It certainly doesn't happen without support. 01:00:29.218 --> 01:00:43.439 - Our 2026 presenting sponsor is the city of Bloomington. It's said to wait for a pause. Our 2026 platinum 01:00:43.439 --> 01:00:57.118 - sponsor is the South Central Community Action Program, SCCAP. Our 2026 gold sponsor is Cook Medical. 01:01:03.106 --> 01:01:10.533 - And our bronze sponsors are Girls Inc. of Monroe County, the Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce, 01:01:10.533 --> 01:01:17.888 - and the League of Women Voters, Bloomington Monroe County. The Commission on the Status of Women was 01:01:17.888 --> 01:01:25.898 - also the recipient of a generous grant this year that made this event possible from the Smithville Charitable 01:01:25.898 --> 01:01:32.670 - Foundation. The grant was specifically for this luncheon, and we could not be more grateful. 01:01:33.090 --> 01:01:41.627 - So a big thank you to the Smithville charitable foundation. We appreciate you Lastly we want to express 01:01:41.627 --> 01:01:50.163 - our sincere appreciation to our event partners who made this day such a success Thank you to the Monroe 01:01:50.163 --> 01:01:56.894 - Convention Center staff and caterers marquees rental and staging nature's way and 01:01:57.026 --> 01:02:02.986 - and the City of Bloomington Community and Family Resources Department staff, we appreciate your support 01:02:02.986 --> 01:02:08.774 - and collaboration. And of course, we'd like to thank the Girl Scouts of Central Indiana's local team 01:02:08.774 --> 01:02:14.676 - for their continued partnership and for donating the Girl Scout cookies you have on your tables today. 01:02:14.676 --> 01:02:16.510 - Please make sure to take a box. 01:02:22.562 --> 01:02:29.485 - As we close our 2026 Women's History Luncheon, we want to thank each and every one of you for being 01:02:29.485 --> 01:02:36.478 - here today. You were part of the magic that made today happen. Today we celebrated incredible women, 01:02:36.478 --> 01:02:43.816 - honored lasting legacies, and we're reminded that this work of advancing equity and opportunity continues 01:02:43.816 --> 01:02:50.878 - because of all of us. Charlotte Zietlow once said, you don't wait for change. You create it together. 01:02:51.010 --> 01:02:57.878 - Her spirit and the spirit of that statement live on in this room today to our award winners our speakers 01:02:57.878 --> 01:03:04.550 - our event partners and each of you. Thank you for showing up. Thank you for making a more sustainable 01:03:04.550 --> 01:03:11.287 - future. Take this energy home with you. Keep building. Keep advocating and keep leading. Thank you and 01:03:11.287 --> 01:03:13.118 - have a wonderful afternoon.