In her own words, Girls Inc. member Raven Hollingsworth spoke to a crowd gathered at Mammel Hall at UNO for the unveiling of a portrait of Warren Buffett.  The portrait, created by artist Michael Israel and initially donated to Girls Inc. by Benjamin Moore Paints, was purchased from Girls Inc. by Omaha Native and Girls Inc. supporter John Morgan.  Mr. Morgan, in turn, donated the portrait to UNO.

Here are Raven’s remarks:

It is Girls Inc.’s mission to inspire girls like me to be “strong, smart, and bold.”

If you ask me how Girls Inc. has made me strong, I will tell you that I am strong enough to ask for help when I need it.

If you ask me how Girls Inc. has made me smart, I will tell you that I have learned to listen to the grownups at Girls Inc.  The grownups are kind, caring and respectful.  They want me to do my best.

If you ask me how Girls Inc. has made me bold, I will tell you that I have learned to try new things, like playing the ukulele.  I am bold enough to try out for things I want to do like the talent show, the soccer team, and the step team.  I am bold enough to stand up in front of you today and speak up in public.  I have done public speaking at Girls Inc. and the crowd of girls at Girls Inc. is much larger than the crowd here today.

I want to thank Mr. John Morgan for caring about me and the other girls at Girls Inc.

You don’t get strong, smart, and bold –even at Girls Inc. – without a lot of support.  Today, I am a gifted nine-year-old girl.  In the future, with support from Girls Inc. and friends like Mr. John, I dream of becoming a pediatrician.