Let's keep GIRL POWER going and growing!

Monica gave and gave in service to others. When she passed away three years ago, her family vowed to keep her girl power spirit alive – by creating a special Girl Power Fund to support great programs for pre-teen and early-teen girls.

Two years in, thanks to a growing community of contributors, we've reached 748 girls. They're building skills and confidence in programs that have received Girl Power funds. With a new year approaching, we're hoping: Will you help us keep girl power going?

Your donation will be doubled!

Every donated dollar will go to proven programs that build girl power, and every donation will be DOUBLED. An incredibly generous Ohio family is again providing a match up to $25,000. Whatever you donate, it will be matched dollar for dollar. If we raise $25,000 for girl power, the match will lift the total to $50,000. The family wishes to remain anonymous, but their love shines through. Thank you for this abundance of support and inspiration.

Directing the funds with care

We will again be diligent in directing the funds – reviewing grant applications in December, discussing in detail in January, and announcing the selected programs in February. Our girl power selection team includes Monica’s daughter, brother, nieces, and sister-in-law – with guidance from the Women’s Fund of Central Ohio and plenty of inspiration from Monica.

We hope you will join us

Monica’s life ended too soon, but she used her years to help so many people. We are honored to be growing the Girl Power Fund in her name – and we are so grateful to you for any and all support. Together, we can make a big difference in young lives. Thank you!

More about Monica and girl power:

Monica was truly purpose-driven. She trained nurses and midwives. She cared for newborns, moms, and families. She saved lives and brought prayerful comfort to the dying. And when an earthquake devastated Haiti in 2010, she rushed there with her nursing skills. These first trips turned into six years of service in Haiti and Africa.

In central Haiti, Monica led the creation of a specialized newborn care unit. She built a team, coordinated construction, got equipment, trained nurses, and persisted to get it done. Thousands of fragile newborns have received loving care in this special place.

At home, Monica brought girl power to life with her daughter and six nieces. She made “girl power” an empowering call to action, building up their confidence and can-do spirit.

• 90 grade-school girls are on six teams set up by Girls on the Run, through support from the Monica Terez Girl Power Fund. One of them is Addyson: "Girls on the Run gave me self-confidence to accomplish things that might be hard in my life." That's girl power in action!

• 48 girls are gaining strength through Black Girls Glow, which combines creative arts with wellness activities. "My daughter has greater self-awareness and confidence, and she's improving her communication skills thanks to this program and the therapy sessions."

• 325 girls have nurtured their culture, confidence, and skills with Proyecto Mariposas and its outstanding activities. "Thank you to the Monica Terez Girl Power Fund and Proyecto Mariposas for helping (my daughter) Yasmin be more confident, brave, and strong."

• 19 teen girls are the pioneering participants in a new program with MY Project USA. Most are immigrants or first-generation Americans. They're developing skills to live self-directed, self-sufficient, healthy lives – and influencing the community to see girls as equal to boys.

• 10 girls are in ROX – Ruling Our Experiences. It's 20 weeks of exceptional sessions for fifth graders, to build inner strength and can-do belief. "We are beyond grateful to be a part of honoring Monica’s legacy of service and empower the next generation of females."

• 250 girls are building their girl power in Eryn PiNK Girl Empowerment. In the She’s Gold program for grades 6 to 9, they're learning how to live purposeful lives fueled by personal skills and talents, self-improvement, and personal leadership.

• Last year, 6 girls from 3 high schools formed the "Thank Goodness I'm Female" leader cohort, strengthening their skills for assertive communication, allyship, and mutual support.

We hope you’ll be inspired by these testimonials from girls, moms, and program leaders: