Categories: EventsFeaturesUncategorized

Power of the Purse Raises Money for Girls Inc.

In previous years Girls Inc. had a live runway show. like this event in 2016. Cheers for Girls Inc. girl, Lana, and her vision for her future! (Also pictured: Carol Risley, Designer, and Daria Eliuk, Purse-o-nality)

Portland, March 4th, 2016. Girls Inc. of the Pacific Northwest hosted the organization’s 11th annual Power of the Purse fundraising gala at the Hilton. The event raised nearly $350,000 to provide programming that inspires girls ages 6-18 years old to be, “Strong, Smart, and Bold.” The audience cheered for Girls Inc. girl, Lana, and her team, designer Carol Risley, and entertainer Daria Eliuk.

500 guests shops at the silent auction and Boutique of 25 local vendors. During a runway live auction, supporters bid on one-of-a-kind purses designed by 12 teams of ‘Purse-o-nalities’ and local Designers. Girls Inc. girls were the stars of the evening as they modeled their Purse-o-nalities’ purses on the catwalk and shared their vision of the future with attendees.

2016 Purse-o-nalities, barre3’s Sadie Lincoln and Jenny Hansson from KOIN, showed their one-of-a-kind designer purses.

The women of Intel enjoyed the event, included Lakecia Gunter (second from the left).

The girls who participate in the program modeled their purses on the catwalk and shared their plans for the future.

With extensive media coverage and notable “Purse-o-nality” participants over the past ten years, “Power of the Purse” has raised more than $1.5 million in net revenue to support Girls Inc. programming.

From Girls Inc.:

Girls Inc. of the Pacific Northwest offers programs for girls 6-18 around the greater Portland area. Girls Inc. programs focus on developing healthy behaviors, adopting new life skills, and encouraging girls to reach higher. Our proven curriculum provides age-appropriate, research-based, and culturally relevant content for girls to explore.

Girls who participate enjoy the following:

Create meaningful, supportive peer groups that encourage female solidarity
Grow self-esteem that carries over to home, school, and the community
Develop sound decision-making and communication skills
Assert themselves as confident individuals throughout their lives
Build key leadership skills and strong work ethics

Elisa Klein

I’ve been a professional journalist and writer since 1987, (and long-time reporter for KOIN-TV.) As a nationally published reporter, with a Master’s Degree in Journalism, I love to report positive news and information. Journalism has also connected me with another non-profit where I served as a leader; the Northwest’s biggest writer’s organization: The Willamette Writers.