In 2004-2005 we celebrated our 40th anniversary! Since 1964, Girls Inc of the Island City has served the girls and young women of Alameda as the premier girls' organization in the community. Visit our Herstory page to read about the many milestones and highlights of the past 40 years.

We also have fond memories of past events including Carousel Luncheon, Sundowner, Golf Tournament, Cruise, Sundown to Starlight, VIP Party, and our Annual Dinner. In addition to these events, many of our programs have won awards in national competitions including National Scholarship, National Poetry Contest, Sewing Contest, National Program Award for Best Foot Forward, and Annie E. Casey Strengthening Families Awards for The Magic Within and Homegrown.

Celebrating Girls in Alameda
Student Art Contest and Showcase

Art contest finalists, winners, families, teachers and community supporters of Girls Inc. launched an exhibit of student artwork celebrating our 40th anniversary on March 15 at our Meyers Center. Artwork for the "Strong, Smart, and Bold Girls" art contest was entered by girls and boys ages 7 to 17 from throughout Alameda.

Art contest winners include: Rachel Babasa-Young, Tiffany Davis, Imani Diltz, Samantha Dunn, Jaeneina Estandian, Alyssa Francisco, Shira Kharrazi, Michael Kudus, Amy Liu, James Padilla, Lori Siao, Layla Stebbins, and Haley Summerfield. Finalists include: Artosha Hearne, Dilpreet Kaur, Kiera Kenney, Sabrina Kongadai, Caroline Liu, Valerie Mondo, Mallory Penney, Elizabeth Rezucha-Brown, Alfredo Sanchez, Tselmuun Shijir, Mathew Woo, and Katrina Yang.

Those attending the reception and awards showcase included: Girls Inc. founding board member Kaye Van Valkenburg; Dr. Alice Challen; Alameda Unified School District board member Mike McMahon; Alameda Chamber of Commerce President Cathy Leong; Julia Park, editor at Alameda Magazine; Jan Brown, owner of Urban Forest; and Alameda Art Center Executive Director Lisah Horner.

The event was a huge success thanks to the support of many groups and businesses in Alameda who spread the word about the citywide contest, including Donna Fletcher and the Alameda Unified School District; the Alameda Free Library; the Frank Bette Center for the Arts; and the Alameda Art Center.

Girls Inc. also wants to thank our art contest judges: Carey Fruzza, Art Program Coordinator at the Oakland Museum of California; elementary school teacher and Girls Inc. board member Gail Graves; Lisah Horner, Executive Director of the Alameda Art Center; local artist Karen Lee; and Debra Owen, Executive Director of the Frank Bette Center for the Arts.

Thanks also goes out to Alameda businesses, including Art and Soul, Peet's Coffee, Scott's Shoes, Sumbody, Tucker's Super Creamed Ice Cream, and The Wolf & The Hare, for donating prizes for all the finalists; Safeway on Harbor Bay and Starbuck's Coffee on Park Street for donating refreshments; and Urban Forest for donating their services to frame the artwork.

Girls Inc. Board Vice President Dorie Guess Behrstock, chair of the Girls Inc. 40th Anniversary Committee, organized the art contest. She would like to thank her hard working committee, including Girls Inc. board members Susan Adams, Karen Granados, Gail Graves, Mary Kenney, Melissa Marsh, and Gayle Uchida, volunteer Monica Davis, and former board president Rob Wonder. A special thanks goes to Girls Inc. Executive Director Romy Amos and Office Manager Karen Reinhardt for their help.

The artwork of the 25 finalists can be viewed at the Alameda Art Center on 1701 Webster Street through the month of April. The 13 winning pieces will be used to create a Girls Inc. "Perpetual Calendar" which Girls Inc. will offer for sale starting on May 14 at our Celebration of Excellence luncheon and then also at the Girls Inc. Meyers Center and website, at the Alameda Art Center, and at businesses throughout Alameda. The funds raised through sale of the calendar will go to support Girls Inc. programming.

Other Events Marking the 40th Anniversary

• February 5, 2005 - 40th Anniversary Meyers Center Open House
• September 2004 - 40th Anniversary Dinner attended by many former board presidents
• July 2004 - 40th Installation of Officers and Directors, with an inspiration by Joyce Denyven, former Executive Director. Past Presidents Kaye Van Valkenburg, William Dickerson, Arlene Tennant, Rob Wonder and Lillian Taddei shared ³historical highlights² with those in attendance. President Diann Castleberry launched the next 40 years with her vision for growth and expanded services.
• July 2004 - Alameda's 4th of July Parade, with board of directors, girl members and staff flying the 40th Anniversary banner.
• May 2004 - 5th Annual Celebration of Excellence Luncheon, with inspiration by Kaye Van Valkenburg, founder of Girls Inc.
• March 2004 - Girls Art and Poetry Reading at Frank Bette Art Center for ³Women¹s History Month²
• March 2004 - Official launch of the 40th year for Girls Incorporated of the Island City

We look forward to many more years of being an essential part of living and growing up in Alameda and inspiring girls to become outstanding leaders of tomorrow. We hope you will be a part of our mission. Visit our donating and volunteering pages to see how you can contribute to our exciting organization!