08 Apr 2024 Nearly 150 Arkansas girls attend Girls of Promise Conference
LITTLE ROCK — The Women’s Foundation of Arkansas (WFA), in partnership with Acxiom Corporation, hosted the Girls of Promise® conference at the Arkansas 4-H Center in Little Rock on April 5. In its 24th year, the Girls of Promise® Conference exposes girls to opportunities and mentors in science, technology, engineering, arts & math (STEAM) fields in Arkansas, with the goal of increasing the number of women in higher-level STEAM courses and careers and helping them achieve economic security in adulthood.
“We are grateful to our longtime partners like Acxiom for helping educate and mentor Arkansas girls interested in careers in STEAM,” said Anna Beth Gorman, CEO of the Women’s Foundation of Arkansas. “Over the years, their steadfast support of our Girls of Promise initiative has enabled thousands of young women to learn about potential STEAM careers, connect with female mentors in high-profile positions and catapult their interests to the next level. We extend our deepest gratitude to Acxiom and all of our corporate allies for investing in the future of Arkansas girls and women.”
The annual Girls of Promise® conference is open to eighth-grade Arkansas girls interested in STEAM-related fields. Attendees participate in a day of learning sessions and hands-on activities led by female executives from companies such as Acxiom, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS), Arkansas State Police, Crafton Tull, L’Oreal and nearly a dozen others. The sessions introduce participants to careers in everything from cybersecurity, digital forensics and robotics to healthcare, cosmetic chemistry and environmental science.
This year’s conference, which was free for all participants, welcomed 148 girls from 37 schools and 20 counties across the state.
Jerrilyn Jones, M.D., an emergency medicine physician at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS), served as keynote speaker.
“Innovation thrives on diverse perspectives, experiences and skills, yet unfortunately, access to STEAM fields remains limited for many girls,” said Janet Cinfio, chief information officer at Acxiom. “Committed to changing this narrative, Acxiom wants to actively expand pathways to careers in STEAM and drive positive change for underserved girls, fostering confidence and financial security.”
Since its inception in 1999, the Girls of Promise program has facilitated hands-on experiences, training and mentorship to nearly 8,000 Arkansas girls. To learn more visit womensfoundationarkansas.org/girls-of-promise.
About the Women’s Foundation of Arkansas
Founded in 1998, the mission of the Women’s Foundation of Arkansas (WFA) is to ensure economic security for Arkansas women and girls through collaboration and focused philanthropic investment. Through grant making, research, and the Girls of Promise® and Women Empowered initiatives, the WFA is investing in real solutions that allow women and girls to move up the economic ladder and reach their fullest potential. The WFA is the only statewide foundation that focuses solely on women and girls in Arkansas. Learn more at womensfoundationarkansas.org.
