Three YWCA Minneapolis Youth Win Prestigious Girls Inc. National Scholarship, Highlighting Local Leadership and Excellence
YWCA Minneapolis is proud to announce that three participants from its Eureka! program, Alecia, Michelle and Maitreya, have been awarded the prestigious Girls Inc. National Scholarship. This highly competitive honor recognizes young women who embody the Girls Inc. values of being strong, smart and bold.
The Girls Inc. National Scholarship Program awarded more than $450,000 to 50 deserving young women across North America this year. YWCA Minneapolis is the only Girls Inc. affiliate in Minnesota.
Participants from YWCA Minneapolis’s program competed against youth from 75 other Girls. Inc. affiliates in the United States and Canada. Each affiliate nominated up to five young women to submit essays for consideration. From this rigorous selection process, Alecia, Michelle and Maitreya stood out as scholarship recipients — a reflection of their hard work, brilliance and resilience.
“Our Eurekans went through a rigorous review process, working with volunteer writing coaches and submitting their essays to a YWCA Minneapolis selection committee before the final five submitted to Girls Inc. National,” said Claire Allen, YWCA Minneapolis Girls Inc. Manager.
Their recognition reflects the impact of YWCA Minneapolis’s Eureka! Program, which provides girls in grades 8-12 with immersive experiences in STEM education, leadership development and academic enrichment. The program empowers young women to build confidence, explore careers and prepare for real-world challenges.
Historically, girls — especially those from underserved communities — have been underrepresented in STEM fields due to systemic barriers such as stereotypes, resource gaps and implicit bias. YWCA Minneapolis is actively working to change that narrative.
With the support of this scholarship:
Alecia will pursue a degree in biomedical engineering.
Michelle plans to major in biology as she continues her academic journey.
Maitreya, a current high school junior, is still exploring her post-secondary options.
What makes this especially meaningful is that these young women began their Eureka! journey during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic—an unprecedented time of uncertainty, particularly for youth, when opportunities for the future felt at risk of slipping away.
“We are incredibly proud of the hard work that Alecia, Michelle and Maitreya — and all of our Eureka! participants — have put in over their five years with this program,” said Shelley Carthen Watson, President and CEO of YWCA Minneapolis. “This cohort began during the peak of COVID-19, and they’ve shown not only strength, intelligence and courage, but the leadership qualities we need in the next generation.”
About Girls Inc.
Girls Inc. is a network of local organizations that work with schools and in communities across the United States and Canada. Through direct service and advocacy, Girls Inc. equips girls with the knowledge and skills to create positive change in their lives and to become leaders who will change the world. Professional trained staff and volunteers provide mentorship, supportive spaces and programming that address the challenges girls face and are proven to help them succeed. Together with partners and supporters, Girls Inc. is building the new generation of leaders. Join us at www.girlsinc.org.
About YWCA Minneapolis
YWCA Minneapolis is a nonprofit organization dedicated to eliminating racism and empowering women and girls. For more than 130 years, YWCA Minneapolis has led initiatives to challenge social injustices, particularly at the intersections of race and gender. Each year, the organization serves more than 15,000 people through high-quality programs and advocacy focused on racial justice, early learning, youth development and wellness.