Connie Leap, the Assistant Program Director at Girls Inc. of Jefferson County, will celebrate an extraordinary milestone this March—38 years with Girls Inc.! 

Connie’s journey began in 1988 as a part-time Program Staff member, back when the organization was still called Girls Club of Jefferson County. By 1990, she stepped into her full-time role as Assistant Program Director, and nearly four decades later, she is still shaping the lives of girls in her community. 

But her Girls Inc. story began long before she ever joined the staff. 

Growing up in a rural area in the early 1970s, there weren’t many opportunities designed specifically for girls. She still remembers how important it felt to stay after school and participate in Girls Club programming. 

Cutting fabric squares and helping sew them together into a quilt stands out vividly as a core memory for Connie. She still has an ornament she made as a member decades ago. Over the years, she has even reused some of those same craft ideas in programming at Girls Inc. 

“Girls Club was probably the first social group I was involved in other than school,” she reflects. “Being able to be in a club was a big deal.” Living in a rural area meant friends weren’t always close by, and staying after school and being part of a group gave her a sense of belonging and helped her become more social and confident. 

Girls Inc. helped Connie discover at a young age her confidence, “I learned that I won’t know if I can do something, or like something, unless I try. It helped me be able to express myself, and be more positive,” she says. The pro-girl environment helped her express herself, step outside of her shyness, and build the confidence that would shape her future. 

Girls Inc. has been evolving for more than 160 years evolving to meet girls and the challenges and opportunities of their day. “As a child in the 70’s participating in Girls Inc. I remember fondly engaging with other girls in games and craft projects. Once I started working for Girls Inc. in 1988, I realized how much more we offered to our members; academics and life skills from science, cooking, health and fitness. Today, we provide so many more opportunities through economic literacy, STEM, mental health for our girls to grow and think about their futures. With the support of headquarters research-informed programming and the local direct-services, Girls Inc. girls have a head start on becoming strong, smart, and bold young women,” says Connie about how Girls Inc. has grown over the years.  

Now, nearly four decades into her career with Girls Inc., she regularly runs into former participants who remember her and the activities they participated in. “The memories and friendships made while participating in Girls Inc. programs last a lifetime,” she shares. 

Connie believes that Girls Inc. truly makes a lasting difference and offers this advice to girls. “Participate in all of the programs and activities that Girls Inc. offers. There will be so many times in your life when you’ll look back and say, ‘I learned that at Girls Inc.’ or ‘I know how to do that — I can do that — because I learned about it here.’”  

As someone who once felt shy and unsure, she knows firsthand how transformative a pro-girl space can be. Being surrounded by encouragement, friendship, and opportunity helped her find her voice. 38 years later she is still helping other girls do the same.  

Connie’s story serves as a reminder that the lessons learned at Girls Inc. can last a lifetime.  

“The group picture was from a Deputy Elementary School yearbook. I think 1976. That is where I went to grade school and where I stayed after for Girls Club. I am in the back, third from the left. This was the only year that they put a picture of Girls Club in their yearbook.” – Connie Leap