LYNN — Hundreds of people were in attendance at a virtual ceremony Thursday for the 31st Annual Girls Inc. of Boston and Lynn Celebration, honoring exceptional young women in the community.
At the event, hosted by NBC 10 anchor Latoyia Edwards, three Lynn teenagers, Marvelous
Akande, Faidat Amisu, and Clarisse Ebeh, were presented with Girl Hero awards, while former National Grid President Marcy Reed was awarded the organization’s Strong, Smart and Bold Award.
“Being strong, smart and bold is what has gotten us through this year,” said Girls Inc. Executive Director Deb Ansourlian.”Big shoutout to the Girls Inc. team who continue to inspire me every day.”
Despite the pandemic, Ansourlian said the organization was able to grow this year by adding girls from more grades.
“Being strong, smart and bold isn’t for just everyone,” said Reed, who retired from her position last week and was the first to accept her award. “But you make it look easy.”
She advised the young women watching to try hard in the classroom and learn as much as they can, so that they will have a wide variety of job options later in life.
All three girls shared stories of finding themselves through the Girls Inc. programs.
Akande, a senior at Lynn English High School, participates in her school’s science and environmental clubs, and is a member of the National Honor Society.
“At Girls Inc., I met people close to my language, culture and age, and now they’re my best friends,” she said.
The organization helped her discover her passion for math and science, and now she wants to be a socially conscious architect after graduation.
Amisu, a Lynn English senior and captain of its track and field team, said she “heard inspiring stories, which made me feel more comfortable and more free,” during her time at Girls Inc. She wants to become a nurse after attending college.
Ebeh, a senior at Lynn Vocational Technical Institute, has worked with the Food Project and Upward Bound. She is ranked fourth in her class and wants to attend either Boston College or College of the Holy Cross, with plans to become a pediatric oncologist.
Ebeh worked in a nursing home during the pandemic, which helped her realize her passion for the medical field.
In addition to the Girl Hero award, Ebeh also received the National Scholar Recognition award.
“Five years ago, I would not be giving this speech but now I can give it confidently,” she said. “I hope I would make 13-year-old me proud.”
People can support Girls Inc. through their website.
Guthrie Scrimgeour can be reached at [email protected].
