Annual SSB Awards Celebration

Girls Inc.’s Annual Strong, Smart, and Bold Awards Celebration honors those role models in our community who are positively impacting the lives and futures of Connecticut’s girls and who emulate our mission of inspiring girls to be Strong, Smart, and Bold.

The honorees are impeccable role models for girls who have demonstrated their leadership through service, and who are positively impacting the lives and futures of Connecticut’s girls. They are community members who have brought our community closer to manifesting its potential to help ALL girls reach their potential. Their leadership mirrors what we wish for every girl to be: Strong. Smart. Bold.

When we support girls, they become resilient and ready for the future and its possibilities! TOGETHER, we can provide Girls Inc. girls with the opportunity to thrive every day and prepare to become the next generation of strong, smart, and bold leaders.

2024 Honorees

Rep. Hilda Santiago – Strong, Smart, and Bold Woman of the Year

Yvette Highsmith-Francis – Strong Award

Donna Hylton – Smart Award

Nickimmy Hayes – Bold Award

Marielle Metivier – Strong, Smart, and Bold Girl of the Year

Strong, Smart, and Bold Woman of the Year Past Honorees

2023 Rhudean Raye – 2022 Doreen Roddy – 2019 Liliana Nigro-McAuliffe – 2018 Yvonne DeAngeli-Fontanez – 2017 Marlene McGann – 2016 Eileen Bongiovanni – 2015 Maria Campos-Harlow – 2014 Dana Hunter-Moyer, Donna Hunter – 2013 Dr. Manon Cox – 2012 Christelle Aubé – 2011 Molly Savard – 2010 Rosanne Ford – 2009 Catherine Abercrombie – 2008 Elaine Murphy – 2007 Lynn Faria – 2006 Mary Noonan-Cortright – 2005 Staci M. Roy – 2004 A. Lee Campione – 2003 Lucille Janatka – 2002 Marcia Trotta – 2001 Cynthia Johnson – 2000 Maureen Bilger, Inaugural Recipient