MERIDEN, CT, MAY 23, 2025—On Wednesday, May 7th, Girls Inc. of Meriden and Central Connecticut held its 24th Annual Strong, Smart, and Bold Awards Celebration. Reflecting their expansive reach to other Connecticut communities while remaining rooted in Meriden, the Celebration was held at Central Connecticut State University’s Alumni Hall. The following honorees, selected for their contributions to improving the lives of girls and women in Connecticut communities and emulating the Girls Inc. mission, were recognized over the course of the evening:

The individual Strong, Smart, and Bold Awards were each presented by a Girls Inc. parent, who spoke about the profound impact of the organization on their child’s formative years, and handed off by the 2024 recipient of the respective award. The Woman of the Year Award was introduced by a high school Girls Inc. participant, who shared her personal journey through the program and how it has helped her embody the pillars of the affiliate’s mission: strong, smart, and bold.

Woman of the Year recipient, Trishna Mudumbi, remarked during her acceptance speech, “I’m deeply grateful to be celebrated among the very inspiring women [here] tonight. I’d like to extend my heartfelt thanks to Girls Inc. for their unwavering dedication to empowering young women and girls. Your work is transformative, and you continue to make a lasting impact in our community and beyond.” After thanking the individuals who have supported her in her personal journey, she continued, “To the young women here tonight, I want to emphasize that this award is not just about recognizing my accomplishments, but it represents the potential in each of you and what you can accomplish. You are the future leaders, innovators, and changemakers.”

In addition to the award presentations, other nominees of the awards were acknowledged that evening, commending the positive influence they have in their personal and professional circles. Guests also got to enjoy spotlight moments highlighting Girls Inc. members, participate in a Silent Auction, purchase mystery prizes, visit the famous Candy Bar, and join in the “Girls Inc. Together” Challenge—a five-minute campaign during which attendees united to raise vital funds for the affiliate.

Girls Inc. was proud to have RTX as the Presenting Sponsor of the event and take an opportunity during the evening to showcase its collaboration with RTX providing STEM programming to girls in the Greater Hartford area through a project called “GIRLS thINC Outside the Box.” This initiative supports the production and distribution of STEM activity boxes developed with Girls Inc. curriculum, which allow girls to engage in hands-on, minds-on STEM discovery in their home environment.

In partnership with schools, community-based organizations, and at Girls Inc. centers, Girls Inc. focuses on the development of the whole girl. Girls learn to value themselves, take risks, and discover and develop their inherent strengths. The combination of long-lasting mentoring relationships, a pro-girl environment, and evidence-based programming equips girls to navigate gender, economic, and social barriers, and grow up healthy, educated, and independent. Each day, Girls Inc. inspires ALL girls to be strong, smart, and bold.