DANVERS — There may not have been a dry eye in the ballroom on Thursday afternoon as three high school seniors took the stage at the 37th Annual Celebration Luncheon for Girls Inc. of Boston and Lynn, sharing the personal stories of growth, resilience, and ambition that earned them this year’s Girl Hero Scholarships.
The annual event, which was held at the DoubleTree by Hilton in Danvers, brought together more than 600 people — the largest crowd in its history, with a waitlist for the first time. With rows of decorated tables and a program packed with performances, tributes, and speeches, the gathering celebrated not only the scholarship recipients but a broader legacy of support for girls across the North Shore and Greater Boston.
NBC10 Boston anchor Latoyia Edwards returned as emcee, delivering her signature warmth, humor, and energy. “This is the best girls gang around,” she said. “My eyelashes don’t even make it halfway through this event, that is how emotional it can be .”
The afternoon began with remarks from Kenyora Johnson, CEO of End Rape on Campus and a Girls Inc. alumna. “It wasn’t just an afterschool program for me,” Johnson said. “It was a place that affirmed me, my voice, my dreams, my power.”
She reflected on her mentors and described her journey from aspiring architectural engineer to designing “pathways that allow women and girls… to fully realize their power.” Johnson also credited early professional mentors — including Lindsay Hyde and Amy Kingman — for encouraging her leadership. “When I started at Strong Women, Strong Girls, the mentors didn’t always reflect the girls they were serving, so I built a new chapter,” she said. “And the impact was undeniable.”
Following her remarks, Board President Siobhan Kelly introduced CEO Natalie Martinez, who is completing her first year in the role. “This event really celebrates our community and the people who have supported us through our highs and lows,” Martinez said. “Our girls are not just the leaders of tomorrow — they are the leaders of today.”
Now in its 83rd year, Girls Inc. serves more than 2,200 youth annually across Lynn, Boston, and surrounding areas. The organization expanded its reach in 2023 by acquiring Strong Women, Strong Girls, a Boston-based nonprofit founded by Lindsay Hyde, who was later honored as the 2025 Strong, Smart, and Bold award recipient. In her remarks, Hyde reflected on the merger and the power of mentorship: “Start small. When you find a solution, share it.”
The program continued with the presentation of the inaugural John J. Donovan Memorial Scholarship to Sabrina Hong. She was joined on stage by members of the Donovan family, including John’s wife Meghan and their children Skylar and Jax. “John believed deeply in investing in young people who lead with compassion, who see others, who give back,” Meghan said. “He would be ecstatic to know this award is helping a young woman pursue her dreams.”
Next, the Girls Inc. chorus — known affectionately as The Muffins — took the stage for a performance that drew both laughter and tears. Made up of elementary school students from the afterschool program, the group recited affirmations and sang empowering songs with boldness and charm. “Those muffins just told us everything we needed to hear,” Edwards said. “When we lift girls up, we all rise.”
Then came the moment that everyone had been waiting for: the speeches from the Girl Hero Scholarship recipients.
Oluwakanyinsola “Kay” Oladunjoye, a senior at KIPP Academy Lynn Collegiate, spoke about her transformation since joining Girls Inc. at age 12. Initially withdrawn, Kay said it took more than a year for staff to see her genuine smile. “Going to Girls Inc. was always the highlight of my day,” she said. Through programs like Voices, a discussion group on mental health and identity, she found strength. “Even when the outside world made us question where it was safe, I always knew Girls Inc. would be there.”
Oladunjoye thanked the staff mentors who were in the audience and emotional alongside her, including Bridget Brewer, Ashley, and Cathy. She also gave a heartfelt shoutout to her twin sister. “If I could do it all over again, I would,” she said.
Isatu Kuyateh, a senior at Lynn Classical High School, shared how she reconnected with her academic goals after joining Girls Inc. in 2023. Encouraged by her sisters and guidance counselor, she enrolled in Project Accelerate and became a peer leader in Part of the Solution, a substance abuse prevention program.
“Being a part of Girls Inc. taught me that leaning on someone doesn’t mean I’m destined to fall,” Kuyateh said. When she hit a FAFSA roadblock, staff helped her resolve the issue. This fall, she’ll attend UMass Lowell to study biomedical engineering. “I want to make prosthetics more accessible — and make people feel like they have a community to rely on, just like I do at Girls Inc.”
Derlin Salvador, also a senior at KIPP, has been part of Girls Inc. for 12 years. Her mother once worked there, and Derlin grew up in the building. She shared her dream of becoming a police officer, despite facing skepticism.
“Some thought I was rooting for the system instead of my community,” Salvador said. “But I want to be the kind of officer my community can trust.” In the fall, she will attend Fitchburg State University and participate in its police academy program. “Winning this scholarship isn’t just about financial support,” she said. “It’s about recognition. This community has always believed in me.”
Among those continuing to give back was Girls Inc. alum Syeeda Rahman, who now serves as Community Engagement Manager at Archipelago Strategies Group and sits on the Girl Hero Scholarship selection committee. A former scholarship recipient herself, Rahman credited the organization for helping her find her voice. “We need to be able to come into space as our full selves,” she said. “Girls Inc. gave me that space early on, and now I try to create it for others.” Her experience has fueled a passion for equity and access, which she now channels into advocacy and mentorship.
Also in attendance was Bridget Brewer, a Girls Inc. alum and longtime staff member who now manages the adolescent sexuality education program. Brewer was recognized by multiple Girl Hero speakers as a trusted mentor and key influence. “We give girls the tools and knowledge to make healthy choices,” she said. “We’re reaching over 2,200 youth through both our after-school and co-ed school-based programs. That’s essential in a city like Lynn.”
In closing remarks, Lynn Mayor Jared Nicholson congratulated the organization on another milestone. “Sometimes it feels like the world is spinning,” he said. “In those times, we need to find those kinds of North Stars. For me, for the City of Lynn — Girls Inc. is one of those North Stars.”
Before the crowd dispersed, Edwards left attendees with one final message.
“Forget Wall Street,” she said. “This is the best investment there is.”
