Meet LaShay, she joined Girls Inc. of Owensboro-Davies County, Kentucky, in seventh grade. At the time, her aunt and uncle, with whom she lived, were looking for a place that felt safe, while LaShay was searching for a sense of belonging. Both found exactly what they were looking for at Girls Inc.  

Leadership and service have always been foundational to who LaShay is, and Girls Inc. gave her the opportunity to strengthen those qualities. She has long known she wants to become a lawyer, someone who advocates for others, protects rights, and serves the public good. At Girls Inc., that dream was nurtured. Through programming and the opportunity to serve as a keynote speaker at her affiliate’s Annual Athena Awards, LaShay honed her public speaking skills, learning to speak up with confidence, no matter who is in the room.  

Recognizing her interest in law, her affiliate arranged for LaShay to visit the state capital and meet with the governor. “I got to shake the governor’s hand and share my interest in public service.” His response, that he would ‘keep the seat warm,’ became a defining moment of encouragement. Through Girls Inc., LaShay also gained early exposure to a variety of legal career paths.  

Programs like Girls Inc.’s Women in Law helped bring those possibilities to life. LaShay toured courthouses, met female attorneys, prosecutors, and detectives, and began to see her future take shape. Today, the Women in Law program is an annual event that LaShay helps plan, driven by her desire to share her love of the law and create pathways for other girls to explore legal careers.  

Girls Inc. also opened doors LaShay never imagined walking through. She traveled to Washington, DC, as part of the Girls Inc. Teen Advocacy Council, visited theaters and aquariums, and even met tennis legend Venus Williams.   

Today, LaShay is an AP and honors student applying to colleges and paying her Girls Inc. experience forward as a teen staff member. She is deeply engaged in her school and community. A member of the basketball team, she serves as president of Jobs for America’s Graduates, a student-led organization focused on community service, where she leads initiatives supporting unhoused neighbors and foster children. She is also vice president of the National Honor Society and a student council representative.  

Ask LaShay about her most meaningful moments at Girls Inc., and she will tell you it is not just one. “It was my mentors constantly instilling in me that I am somebody,” she says. “The mentors at Girls Inc. have played a transformative role in my life. They are unmatched. I’m grateful for how generous they are with their time, wisdom, and belief in me. They and the girls provided a lasting sense of community and helped pave the way for my success.” 

As she looks to the future, LaShay is considering a career in constitutional or sports law, combining her love of basketball with her passion for justice, history, and advocacy. College is more attainable thanks to a $25,000 scholarship from Girls Inc. 

LaShay’s story reflects the inherent power of girls and shows how access to opportunity, mentorship, and sustained support can unlock extraordinary potential. By staying true to herself, leading with integrity, and choosing courage even when it means standing alone, LaShay lives out what it means to be strong, smart, and bold. Whatever lies ahead, she is ready to take on the moment head on.