Atlanta, GA –December 8, 2016 – Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Atlanta (BGCMA) and its affinity group, Women’s Giving Circle, recently honored 25 women for blazing trails in business and philanthropy and serving as role models to young women across the city. The women were recognized as 2016 Year of the G.I.R.L. honorees, a distinction that coincides with BGCMA’s 25th anniversary of the formal inclusion of girls as members.
Year of the G.I.R.L. (Growing Inspirational Responsible Leaders) aims to educate, serve, inspire, and honor the women that empower and the girls they are empowering. To culminate the yearlong celebration, 25 female influencers were recognized for continuing to break barriers and achieve success.
BGCMA is pleased to announce the following honorees:
- Rep. Stacey Abrams, House Minority Leader, Georgia General Assembly, State Representative, 89th House District
- Teresa ‘Tyler’ Anderson, First Official Female Club Member, Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Atlanta
- Juanita Baranco, Executive VP & Chief Operating Officer, Mercedes-Benz of Buckhead, Baranco Automotive Group
- Elizabeth ‘Liz’ Blake, Former Senior VP of Advocacy, Government Affairs, and General Counsel, Habitat for Humanity International
- Stephanie Blank, Board Chair, Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Atlanta
- Mary Brock, Co-Owner, Atlanta Dream, Women’s National Basketball Association
- Barbara ‘Bobbi’ Cleveland, Executive Director, Tull Charitable Foundation
- Shan Cooper, Chief Supply Chain & Technology Officer, WestRock
- Ada Lee Correll, Dedicated Community Philanthropist
- LeighAnn Costley, Partner & CPA, Frazier & Deeter
- Ann Curry, Chair & Chief Client Strategist, Coxe Curry & Associates
- Sandra Deal, First Lady, State of Georgia
- Patti Dickey, Dickey Broadcasting Company & Modern Luxury
- Francesca ‘Fran’ Gary, President, Amerigroup Community Care of Georgia
- Kate Gutmann, Chief Sales & Solutions Officer, United Parcel Service (UPS)
- Virginia Hepner, President & CEO, Woodruff Arts Center
- Donna W. Hyland, President & CEO, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta
- Kelly Loeffler, Senior VP of Corporate Communications, Marketing & Investor Relations, Intercontinental Exchange, Inc.; Co-owner & Co-Chair, Atlanta Dream, WNBA
- Penelope McPhee, President, Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation
- Bea Perez, Chief Sustainability Officer, The Coca-Cola Company
- Laura Ramirez, Former Youth of the Year, Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Atlanta
- Lovette Russell, Senior Consultant, Coxe Curry & Associates
- Sarah Ryan, Dedicated Club Volunteer
- Maria Saporta, Journalist, Atlanta Business Chronicle, Founder, SaportaReport.com
- Roxanne Spillett, Former President & CEO, Boys & Girls Clubs of America
“We are so thrilled to honor these amazing women who are true leaders in our city and shining examples of what you can achieve,” said Missy Dugan, president & CEO of Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Atlanta. “Both these women and our Clubs have a shared passion to help kids reach their full potential. Day in and day out, we are excited to see all the ways our young women continue to learn and grow and can’t wait to see how they change the world in the future.”
Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Atlanta serves nearly 3,500 children and teens each day and nearly 10,000 youth each year. By 2020, the organization is working to ensure that 90 percent of the youth it serves are graduating on time, living healthy lifestyles, and giving back to their communities.
To find out how you can support young women at the Boys & Girls Club, visit www.bgcma.org.
About Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Atlanta
Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Atlanta’s mission is to save and change the lives of children and teens, especially those who need us most, by providing a safe, positive and engaging environment and programs that prepare and inspire them to achieve Great Futures. Through 25 Clubs in 10 metro counties, trained and professional staff serve nearly 3,500 youth (ages 6-18) daily through programs that foster academic success, healthy lifestyles and character and leadership development. BGCMA also oversees Camp Kiwanis, a 160-acre outdoor residence camp. While the cost to effectively serve those who need us most is more than $5,700 per member, BGCMA asks families to pay only a $50 annual membership fee and no child is turned away due to inability to pay. For more information, please visit www.bgcma.org.
Media Contact:
Adrienne Leon
Marketing Manager
Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Atlanta
404-527-0948 x1047
aleon@bgcma.org
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