ABOUT US
OUR STORY
Girls Action was founded as a start up in 1995 by three young women fresh out of school with an entrepreneurial spirit. We had no funding and no limitations.
Accessible to underprivileged girls, POWER Camp (as it was called then) encouraged girls to discover their power and create positive change in their lives and communities. Really listening to girls was the cornerstone of our success. Young women facilitators built trust with the girls. Girls came out of their shells and got smart about topics like media, discrimination, health, violence prevention, and body image.
Soon communities across Canada were contacting us, eager to exchange. We realized that with so many people wanting to make a difference for girls, a national organization could create a ripple effect benefitting even more girls. The founders of Girls Action imagined a strong force of girls’ initiatives across the country, and that is precisely what was built.
Since 2003, the Girls Action Network has grown from 20 to over 300 members in every province and territory. Girls Action has been a catalyst – seeding and training over 100 start-up girls’ programs. Today, together with local partners, Girls Action builds the skills and confidence of girls from coast to coast, including inner city, remote, and Northern communities.
HOW WE MAKE A DIFFERENCE
INNOVATION
Our programs tackle the most relevant and important questions that concern girls and young women.
LEADERSHIP
We support the development of girls' and young women's leadership by facilitating access to resources, to a network of mentors, as well as developing new skills.
INCLUSION
We reach out to girls and young women that need it the most, everywhere in Canada: 90% of our participants come from marginalised communities, either in the North, remote areas or in urban environments.
CHANGE
We encourage the understanding and breaking down of all barriers, especially the ones of poverty, racism and violence.
CREATIVE FORCE
Our work encourages the reinforcement of girls' and young women's empowerment in their everyday lives and communities.
“Girls have an innate ability to be change-makers. They just need a strong support system, willing and respectful adults to work with, and the freedom to take space to be seen and heard.”
IMPACT STORIES
— Andrea Canales-Figueroa, Vancouver BC
OUR TEAM
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Tinika Sampson
Operations, Governance and Policy Manager
Tinika brings years of study and work experience in policy development and political advocacy. Her work locally and internationally drives her to make an impact in her community through sustainable and pragmatic policies. She forges ahead with the Girls Action Foundation to instill a transformative and intersectional feminist framework into our society.
Naoual Laaroussi
Communications Manager
Naoual is passionate about social justice and hopes to make it visible through her employment at the Girls Action Foundation, especially with her intersectional and anti-racist feminist values.
The Girls Action Foundation is made up of a dynamic team of energetic, creative, and motivated young women who are passionate about changing the world, in a feminist and intersectional way!
The organization has been steadily growing over the years – have a look through the team bios to get a sense of the people who make Girls Action what it is!
Alison Abrego
Programs and mobilization manager
Guided by anti-racist positions and intersectional feminism, she wishes to give opportunities to the most marginalized people. Alison constantly tries to learn from her binarity (privileges and oppressions) and to act on social inequalities through engaged art and the creation of spaces!
Saddal Diab
Network and Partnerships Manager
Saddal is driven by a feminist praxis that recognizes girls' and young women's inherent power to transform their lives and manifest brilliant futures rooted in their wellbeing as co-creators of a just and equitable future.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Aniqah Zowmi
Chair
Gender and Diversity Specialist (Niagara Falls)
Phaedra de Saint-Rome
Vice-Chair
Governance and Outreach Officer, Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation (Montreal)
Adrienn Lukács
Director
Consultant
Social Impact Consulting (Montreal)
Apefa Adjivon
Director
Manager of Research & Advocacy
Platform (Toronto)
You can send us your resume and a cover letter at any time to submit your application to the Board at gafboard@girlsactionfoundation.ca
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Aniqah Zowmi
Chair
Gender and Diversity Specialist (Niagara Falls)
Phaedra de Saint-Rome
Vice-Chair
Governance and Outreach Officer, Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation (Montreal)
Adrienn Lukács
Director
Consultant
Social Impact Consulting (Montreal)
Apefa Adjivon
Director
Manager of Research & Advocacy
Platform (Toronto)
You can send us your resume and a cover letter at any time to submit your application to the Board at gafboard@girlsactionfoundation.ca
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Apefa Adjivon
Chair
Manager of Research & Advocacy
Platform (Toronto)
Camille Georges
Vice Chair
Montreal
Emma Foong
Secretary
Sarnia
Quynh Huynh
Treasurer
Montreal
Alexe Bernier
Administrator
Hamilton
Shena Kaul
Administrator
Calgary
You can send us your resume and a cover letter at any time to submit your application to the Board at board@girlsactionfoundation.ca
OUR FUNDERS AND SUPPORTERS
Girls Action is grateful for the many companies, foundations, individuals, and agencies that support girls', young women's and gender diverse youth's empowerment. The following funders and donors have made our work possible through financial and in-kind contributions.