On Wednesday, Jan. 14, Girl Up partnered with Benilde-St. Margarets, Edina, Academy of Holy Angels, and De La Salle for the second annual Girl Up Gala. Co-chair Marjorie Steinberg ‘27 explained that the event was held as a fundraiser for the Anne Baker Foundation, which “gives women educational rights and provides opportunities for underprivileged women.”

The gala began as a time for mingling, while vendors sold a variety of items ranging from cotton candy to jewelry to a bikini line started by a former member of Girl Up. Then, dinner was served and there were three speakers. 

After dinner was an auction, where leaders started by asking if anyone could donate $1,000 and working their way down. At the end, QR codes opened for anyone to donate. Donations of any size were welcome.  Steinberg explained, “Even if [they’re] just skipping [their] Starbucks in the morning… everything helps.”

Girl Up exists to help women feel seen and heard in spaces where they are typically underrepresented. The gala brought empowering and successful women to the forefront- after the speakers, attendees were chanting things such as “girl power.”  “It was just a really awesome, surreal, and empowering moment,” said Steinberg.