30 Years of PEARLS
PEARLS has been around since 1993 as a leadership development non-profit serving girls in 5th through 12th grade in Milwaukee. The event will highlight PEARLS’ impact over the past three decades through testimonies from current and former PEARLS participants.
“We really feel like we’re [just] getting started,” said PEARLS Development Director Christy Miller.
PEARLS for Teen Girls has spent years supporting, empowering, and teaching girls how to be their best selves. Tonight, April 18, 2023, marks PEARLS 30th year anniversary celebration and 15th annual Inspired to Lead Benefit at The Bradley Symphony Center. To make the event even more special, New York Times bestselling author and internationally renowned speaker, Rev. Dr. Iyanla Vanzant is the keynote speaker.
How PEARLS Succeeded for 30 Years
Miller said the nonprofit still has some of the original programming, but they’ve had to adapt with time. A prime example of this is social media. Some of the current-day PEARLS girls are dealing with social media issues that past PEARLS girls never had to. Miller said she credits their direct service team for the organization’s ability to constantly transform and meet the girls where they’re at.
With their staff being almost all women, the PEARLS girls always have the support they may need. PEARLS is on a mission to help any girls who want to make an impact in their own lives, doesn’t matter their financial obligations.
“PEARLS is really for our girls,” said Miller.
According to their site, PEARLS aims to help girls go from surviving to thriving.
“I want more people to know the power of PEARLS. I would love to see more PEARLS girls.”
-Christy Miller
PEARLS Executive Director Gerry Howze will be stepping down because she is battling cancer. Howze will be celebrated at tonight’s event.
Learn More
Find out more about PEARLS for Teens Girls, here.
Nyesha Stone founded Carvd N Stone in 2017 to cover positive news while attending the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Stone has a B.A. in Journalism. She has raised over $30,000 to award grants and scholarships. She has also been featured in ESSENCE and worked with the American Black Film Festival.
