News & Stories
A hui hoi to our graduating GirlsUP seniors!
We are so proud of these inspiring and inspired young women who have been with us since middle school. They will truly be missed.
June 4, 2026
GirlsUP Teen board had a blast at The Devil Wears Prada 2 movie night.
As Miranda would say “that’s all.” 👠
May 5, 2026
This weekend GirlsUP was proud to partner again with Blessed Sacrament for the annual Bull Dog 5k race.
Our GirlsUp Teen Board members had a blast playing GirlsUP games with the younger girls!
May 2, 2026
This weekend our GirlsUP Executive Director, Debra Soltis, was a featured speaker at Walt Whitman High School’s Social Justice Leadership Fair.
Debra spoke to the students about the importance of self-knowledge in the journey toward discerning meaningful work.
April 13, 2026
"Just So You Know" series
In honor of International Women’s Month, our Teen Board kicked off our “Just So You Know” series by creating posters to honor the special women in their lives who lift them up, cheer them on, and shape who they are becoming.
March 2, 2026
The School of New York Times
Through our partnership with the Summer Academy of the New York Times, GirlsUP Senior Teen Board member Iman Al Said was selected to attend the prestigious program in New York City — and was awarded a full scholarship for her participation. Iman enrolled in an opinion…
February 9, 2026
Big conversations
At our February Teen Board Meeting, our girls took on some big conversations — from how Snap Maps and Life360 can strain friendships and trust with parents, to the emotional impact of kids being detained by ICE
February 2, 2026
GirlsUP First Annual Teen Board Party
In December, we kicked off our first annual Teen Board Alumni Party at Hunter’s Hound in Chevy Chase, MD
December 21, 2025
Spreading Holiday Cheer with Kensington Modena Reserve
GirlsUP Teen Board spread holiday cheer to senior residents at Kensington Modena Reserve, sharing winter trivia, pictionary, and a joyful sing-along!
December 15, 2025
Holiday Gifts for N Street Village
Our December Teen Board meeting was both thoughtful and impactful.
December 2, 2025
Taekwondo with Master Kim
The girls kicked into high gear this weekend with an empowering Taekwondo session led by Master Doh Kim.
November 18, 2025
GirlsUP Kicks Off Teen Board 2025–2026
The year launched with a lively debate game celebrating the start of the Supreme Court term, followed by a thoughtful ‘What I Wish I Knew in Middle School’ panel.
October 6, 2025
Summer 2025 Recap
GirlsUP proudly celebrated its EIGHTEENTH summer of programming with engaging sessions at Stone Ridge, Blessed Sacrament, and Holy Trinity. Our Summer 2025 GirlsUP programs welcomed a dynamic community of GirlsUP Girls who strengthened their self-awareness and confidence through our signature curriculum, designed to help them discover…
September 26, 2025
GirlsUP Launches After-School Program
GirlsUP successfully launched its first after-school program at Blessed Sacrament this fall.
September 8, 2025
The Pink Party
GirlsUP celebrated the life and legacy of our founder, Dr. Kelly Murray, at a pink party!
June 26, 2025
GirlsUP Senior Luau
In May, we said hui hou to our graduating GirlsUP seniors at our GirlsUP luau.
May 31, 2025
GirlsUP at the Bulldog 5K
GirlsUP Teen Board at the 2025 Blessed Sacrament Bull Dog 5k.
May 6, 2025
Krav Maga Self Defense Class
Our Teen Board celebrated International Women’s Dat with a Krav Maga self defense.
March 10, 2025
GirlsUP Launches In-School Pilot Program in NYC
November 26, 2024
GirlsUP Partners with VOGUE Summer School NYC & The Sotheby’s Institute
November 25, 2024
Pink Party
GirlsUP celebrated the life of our founder, Kelly Murray at a Pink Party
June 26, 2024
Teen Board Fall Kick-Off
Our Teen Board bid Aloha to our graduating seniors!
June 4, 2024
Summer Wrap Up
GirlsUP completed our 17th summer of programming with sessions at Blessed Sacrament and Holy Trinity
June 1, 2024
Laser Tag Party
Our Teen Board had a great team-building event playing laser tag this weekend.
February 24, 2024
GirlsUP Forms Exciting Partnership with The New York Times!
In 2023, GirlsUP was thrilled to officially partner with The New York Times! As a result of our partnership, FIVE of our GirlsUP Teen Board members were selected to receive FULL MERIT SCHOLARSHIPS to attend innovative and prestigious two week academic programs in Manhattan offered by…
December 8, 2023
Teen Board Updates
Our 2023-2024 GirlsUP Teen Board Kicked off the year in October, and we were thrilled at the number of new and returning Teen Board members. The girls were all so happy to see each other and we were so happy to see them! Our Senior Teen…
November 1, 2023
Fall 2023 Newsletter
Our Summer 2023 GirlsUP Sessions were a huge success! Our vibrant community of GirlsUP Girls came together for dynamic and innovative discussions and creative endeavors that encouraged them to explore who they are before the world tells them who they should be. We were thrilled to…
October 30, 2023
This Year’s Girl Up Members
We are thrilled to announce that two of our GirlsUP Teen Board Members have been selected to serve a one year term on the Girl Up United Nations Teen Advisory Board. This is a prestigious honor which the United Nations bestowed on only twenty four girls…
September 1, 2023
Teen Board Kick Off 2023
On January 9th, Teen Board met up for their Teen Board Kick Off for 2023
January 19, 2023
Holiday Cheer Service Event
GirlsUP hosted their annual HOLIDAY CHEER SERVICE EVENT on Saturday, December 17, 2022 at Modena Kensington Reserve. We played bingo, a trivia game, and had a Winter sing-a- long with our residents!
December 18, 2022
GirlsUP Grads
October 1, 2022
Teen Board Kickoff
September 1, 2022
Summer Recap
July 1, 2022
Girls On UN Teen board
April 1, 2022
#DoNotTouchMyClothes
We are honored and excited to announce a new partnership with Dr. Bahar Jalali, a formidable and fearless advocate and activist for the rights of Afghan girls and women. Dr. Jalali is the founder of the first gender studies program in Afghanistan and the leader of…
March 2, 2022
GirlsUP had a blast partnering with the Unscripted Project
GirlsUP had a blast partnering with the Unscripted Project, an innovative improvisational group from the University of Pennsylvania. As they say, life is improv, and our workshop with the Unscripted Project challenged our GirlsUP Girls to trust their instincts and think on their feet!
April 7, 2021
GirlsUP and Athleta partner for EMPOWER HOUR
On Saturday, February 20th, GirlsUP had the opportunity to partner with Athleta Girl for an Empower Hour- helping girls to strengthen their bodies and minds! This was a great event for our GirlsUP girls and community, including a 30 minute kickboxing workout with the amazing Coach…
February 20, 2021
Chalk Talk
Our GirlsUP Girls, Alumni and our growing network of GirlsUP Girlfriends, grabbed their chalk and took to the streets, sidewalks and driveways to create colorful messages designed to educate, advocate and inspire young women.
December 7, 2020
RBG Watch Party
GirlsUP hosted an interactive, virtual movie night featuring On the Basis of Sex, an inspiring bio-pic based on Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s life and legal career and a fun trivia game at intermission with RBG-themed prizes.
November 14, 2020
Gold Medal Speaker
Our GirlsUP Board Member, Dr. Caroline Silby, a nationally renowned psychologist to our US Olympic Team, connected with our Teen Board to help them deliver their best performance on and off the field.
November 7, 2020
Girl Up Leadership Summit
Our GirlsUP Girls Maeve Murray and Peri Perkins, who were recently selected as United Nations Teen Board Advisors, were among the passionate youth advocates from around the globe who gathered virtually for the Annual Girl UP Leadership Summit, which included inspiring messages from many heroes and…
September 2, 2020
Galantines Day
The Teen Board celebrated Galantines Day at their February meeting.
February 14, 2020
Girl Hero lunch
Actress, model, and GirlsUP Girlfriend Corrine Foxx proudly displays her GirlsUP t-shirt at the Girl Hero lunch with GirlsUP Communications Lead Annie Kiyonaga
November 7, 2019
Nov 4. Teen Board Meeting
GirlsUP Teen Board plans community service events for the DC area.
November 4, 2019
GirlsUP Girls Do The “Write” Thing
For our GirlsUP Teen Board for our Spring community service project, GirlsUP Teen Board partnered up with Free Minds Book Club, a local non-profit. As GirlsUP Girls, we know the value of self-expression. Working with Free Minds Book Club, GirlsUP Girls had the chance to read…
May 12, 2018
GirlsUP Celebrates International Women’s Day
To celebrate International Woman’s Day, our Executive Director, Debra Soltis, and former GirlsUP Teen Board member, Delia Friel, were interviewed on Pacifica radio to discuss the important mission of GirlsUP and the impact of its work on adolescent girls.
April 5, 2018
Wonder Women Teen Board Event
The GirlsUP Teen Board hosted a viewing of Wonder Woman for all GirlsUP Girls. The event was a huge success with girls who had attended a GirlsUP Summer Session connecting with old friends.
March 24, 2018
Holiday Cheer Service Event
Our GirlsUP Girls got together for a Holiday Cheer Service Event, designing cards and packing treat bags for women and children in local shelters. And, in true GirlsUP fashion, they had some fun while they did some good, belting out holiday karaoke.
December 16, 2017
GirlsUP Girls Express Themselves
In February, Our GirlsUP Girls turned up to express themselves in a dance event co-hosted by Ivivva of Bethesda. They had a blast learning a choreographed dance and creating a music video to Demi Lovato’s Confident.
February 26, 2017
GirlsUP Girl Serving on United Nations Foundation’s Teen Advisory Board
“Being involved with GirlsUP as a Teen Advisor for the United Nations Foundation is an opportunity like no other. It takes all of the high-mindedness and activities that GirlsUP has taught me and applies them on an international forum. Raising awareness, advocating and fundraising as a…
February 2, 2017
A Wider Circle Teen Board Proves They’re Girls For Others
Our GirlsUP Teen Board organized its Fall community service event at A Wider Circle in Silver Spring, MD. In true GirlsUP spirit, our GirlsUP Girls had a blast sorting clothes and toys for those in need in our DC community, and showing that they are truly…
December 3, 2016
GIRLSUP SUMMER PROGRAM 2016 WRAP UP
Our 2016 GirlsUP summer programs were a huge success, with robust participation by both new and returning girls at our Stone Ridge, Chevy Chase and Georgetown Visitation sites. Our partnership with Girls on the Rise continued to thrive, with a growing number of under-served girls now…
November 18, 2015
GIRLSUP TEEN ADVISORY BOARD OFF TO A BUSY FALL
Our GirlsUP Girls Teen Advisory Board is back in full swing with many new and returning members! The Teen Board’s inaugural event this Winter is coming up on Saturday, December 10 at A Wider Circle in Silver Spring, MD where our GirlsUP Girls will have the…
November 18, 2015
Let’s Hear It For the Girls Gal-La!
Let’s hear it for the girls! *** Please join us to celebrate our first class of GirlsUP graduating seniors, as we toast their journey “from crayons to perfume” since first joining our program in 2008. We will also share exciting news about our expansion, including GirlsUP…
April 9, 2015
Stone Ridge and Chevy Chase Elementary Schools feature GirlsUP summer program!
Stone Ridge School of the Sacred Heart is highlighting GirlsUp on its summer programs website. GirlsUp will offer a basic summer session at Stone Ridge on Monday, July 13–Friday, July 17 from 9:00 am – 1:00 pm, and at the Chevy Chase Elementary School on Monday, July 20 –…
March 16, 2015
GirlsUP Girls participate in an event with Malala Yousafzai
Malala Yousafzai was in Washington, DC to speak at the World Bank as part of the International Day of the Girl events and GirlsUP Teen Board members were there to hear her tell her story. It was a remarkable experience for them to participate in the…
October 23, 2013
2012-2013 GirlsUP UN TEEN ADVISORS Have a Great Year
A shout out to GirlsUP Teen Board Girl and UN Teen Advisory Board members Delia Friel and Meghan Murray. They have spent the last year working closely with the UN Foundation for Girls and the other 14 members of the Teen Advisory Board learning about issues…
May 16, 2013
GirlsUP Stars are born
GirlsUP Girl Kathleen Cullen plays the lead role in Blessed Sacrament School’s production of High School Musical with fellow graduating GirlsUP Girls Maisy Dombo, Emily Goodwin, Tess Kelly, Caroline Koenigs, Samantha Micklos and Nora Rhodes starring as well. What a cast! Congratulations!
May 16, 2013
Girl Rising Screening inspired by our GirlsUP Girl Delia Friel
Thank you to Delia Friel, our very own GirlsUP Teen Board member as well as one of our UN Teen Advisory Board representatives and her mom for bringing us a special screening of Girl Rising. This film tells the story of nine girls from around the…
May 16, 2013
GirlsUP Girls Volunteer at SHARE Food Network
GirlsUP Girls gave back to their community by volunteering at The SHARE Food Network in Hyattsville, Maryland on Saturday, December 8. The girls were up early and full of enthusiasm as they helped prepare food packages for local, low-income families. These packages will be part of…
February 12, 2013
Stone Ridge School Features GirlsUP
Stone Ridge School of the Sacred Heart is highlighting GirlsUP on its summer programs website. For the first time, GirlsUP will offer a basic summer session at Stone Ridge on July 8-12. Go here to register for the program.
February 12, 2013
GirlsUP Girls Attend UN Leadership Summit
Last month, GirlsUP sent its UN Teen Advisors to the first-ever Leadership Summit in Washington, D.C. For the event, more than 100 young women from across the country, along with leaders and celebrities, came together to discuss how to improve the lives of girls in developing…
April 12, 2012
GirlsUP Girls Recount Their Trip to San Francisco for the UN’s Unite for Girls Tour
Two members of GirlsUP’s Teen Advisory Board serve as Teen Advisors to the United Nations Foundation Campaign which is dedicated to helping the world’s hardest-to-reach adolescent girls. In November 2011, Annie and Jillian took an exciting journey to San Francisco to meet the other UN Teen…
January 12, 2012
GirlsUP Featured in ChevyChasePatch
GirlsUP’s first “Girls Night Out” and an overview of the exciting program planned for Summer 2011 are featured in ChevyChasePatch. The article describes GirlsUP’s new partnership with the United Nations Foundation, the goals of the program and quotes from GirlsUP Teen Advisory Board members.
April 20, 2011
Now Partners with the UN Foundation
We are thrilled to announce that the United Nations Foundation has selected GirlsUp as an official partner in its campaign dedicated to helping the world’s hardest-to-reach adolescent girls. Through this continuing partnership, GirlsUp Girls will have the opportunity to channel their strong hearts, strong minds and strong spirits into exciting global events aimed at empowering young girls around the world. We look forward to watching our GirlsUp Girls inspire girls everywhere!
March 3, 2011
GirlsUP Featured in Gazette
GirlsUP was featured in a front-page story in the Montgomery County Gazette on June 29. “We’re in there helping them figure out who they are, how to speak in their own voice, how to find genuine confidence, the real kind,” Executive Director Debra Soltis said. Read the full article…
June 30, 2010
GirlsUP Girls Run the Bulldog 5k!
GirlsUP girls came out in full force to run the Blessed Sacrament Bulldog 5k on May 22nd. A portion of the race proceeds will be donated to GirlsUP. With less than a month to go before the first week of camp, GirlsUP girls are busy blogging…
May 27, 2010