October is known simultaneously for being both spooky and all about pink. The color pink certainly started as the ribbon color to bring awareness to breast cancer research, but I feel like it has taken on a wider range of women’s empowerment movements. When I think of pink, I think about the local mentoring group that my eldest daughter has been a part of: Girls With Class.

Girls With Class was founded by Dr. Yoder Milton to mentor young ladies in grades 3 through 12 in the greater Daytona Beach area by establishing positive connections while educating academically, socially and emotionally. The young ladies are taught about career development, communication skills and community building. The mentors help prepare future leaders to be honorable and productive citizens in society by cultivating their potential and talent.

I have seen this first-hand with my 9-year-old as last year she met business owners, learned how to make a vision board and joined the group on a trip to the spring Children’s Business Fair to meet young entrepreneurs. She took these experiences and encouragement from her mentor to create her own business plan. She will be debuting “Little Light Co.” with her books, poetry and art at the fall Children’s Business Fair at the Riverfront Esplanade on Saturday, October 21, between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m.!

As if learning how to start her own business was not enough, my daughter has also fallen in love with the STEM fields she has been introduced to, particularly by Dr. Connie Mitchell. In April, Dr. Mitchell was joined by Mr. William Oliver from STEAMsport Inc. to introduce the ladies to the oculus headset. They played games and were introduced to a program to help them create their own video games and virtual apps!

Many local businesses and leaders have poured into these ladies and so they have been shown the importance of giving back and serving, too. In June, Girls With Class ladies and mentors spent time cleaning the beach near Sun Splash Park. Also in June, the group participated in Daytona Beach’s Juneteenth parade and community celebration. I was personally able to take part in both of these events as I was originally just a chaperone with my daughter and then invited by Dr. Milton to be a part of the non-profit’s board. Look at how she even motivates adults to take on a bigger role!

While there have been many educational and fun group experiences for the ladies, I have also been impressed by the individual care the mentors give. Dr. Milton and Mrs. Webb-Moore both teach at and work with the elementary-aged girls at Turie T. Small Elementary. Ms. Danielle mentors the middle school ladies and can be spotted cheering them on at their softball games or meeting up with them at a local football game. And Ms. Madina coordinates opportunities for the high school ladies, such as taking them out to lunch and attending graduations.

The slogan for Girls With Class is, “I Am Uniquely Me!” I am so glad there is a group that can help me empower my daughter and other girls to grow into the beautiful, intelligent, talented and unique young women that they are becoming!

For more information on joining, partnering, or donating, please visit Yomilt12.wixsite.com/GirlsWithClassMentor or call Dr. Milton at (386) 843-5877. You can also search “Girls With Class” on Facebook or @gwc_daytona on Instagram.