The Event: The sixth annual Shine & Dine benefiting Step Up, the hands-on mentorship program for girls from Chicago’s inner city communities, was an inspiration to 700 guests who came to the Bridgeport Art Center’s Skyline Loft on Aug. 11. Supporters sampled treats and libations from more than 20 restaurant and beverage purveyors while raising funds for Step Up programming that propels young women into the next generation of educated professionals.
Presenter Meghan Sporleder, representing Allstate Insurance Company, introduced the evening’s honorees: Jodi Caro of Ulta Beauty, corporate sponsor, and Aminata Bah, Step Up alumna.
Cause célebre: “As a computer engineer, I’ve been able to connect with a handful of girls that really don’t have a lot of women with STEM (science, technology, engineering, math) in their background,” said Mindy Truitt of Deerfield, vice-chairman. “So when I look at a girl that’s so excited about going into an engineering field..(I can tell her): ‘I’ve been there, it’s not that hard, it’s ok being the only woman in your class.'”
The program is gender-specific, according to CEO Jenni Luke of New York City, because, “For girls, and women, generally there is a bit of remediation to be done in terms of confidence and really striving for careers that may not have been open traditionally in the past.”
Step Up focuses on empowering high school girls, ages13-18 and giving them a foundation of confidence while channeling their innate motivation into action through a concentrated 4-year program.
“Confidence is the name of the game,” said Peg Rowe of Lake Forest, board member. “You have to have that belief in yourself…with authentic confidence in who you are and what your capabilities are.”
Step Up’s Chicago programs reached 335 girls this school year, their largest participation yet.
Bottom Line: The benefit raised more than $330,000. More at suwn.org
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