Day of the Girl Celebration 2026

Join us for an inspiring celebration as we commemorate the International Day of the Girl and honor the remarkable achievements of women in our community! Girls Inc. of TN Valley invites you to our signature annual event dedicated to empowering and recognizing the potential of girls.

Event Details:

Date: Thursday, October 8th, 2026
Time: 11:00 AM - 12:30 PM
Location: Airport Hilton, 2001 Alcoa Hwy, Alcoa, TN 37701

Featured Speaker: Sharon Hannum

We are honored to welcome Sharon Hannum as our 2026 keynote speaker. A Blount County native and Maryville High School graduate, Sharon broke barriers as the first woman recruited into a supervisory role in Alcoa's North Ingot Department, going on to a distinguished 30-year career with the company. Since retiring, she has devoted herself to service across East Tennessee — serving on the East Tennessee Foundation Board of Trustees, chairing Blount County's Jail Inspection Committee, and founding the Accelerated Candidate Leadership Development Program to prepare emerging young leaders for public service. A longtime mentor to girls through the Daughters of Imani Girls Mentoring Program and recipient of the ATHENA Leadership Award, Sharon embodies what it means to be strong, smart, and bold — and she has spent a lifetime opening doors for those coming behind her.

Celebration Highlights:

This year's Day of the Girl Luncheon will feature a special program celebrating the accomplishments of girls and women who exemplify our core values of being strong, smart, and bold. The event will include inspiring stories from program participants, community impact highlights, and recognition of those making a difference in the lives of girls across our region.

Strong, Smart, Bold Awards:

As a centerpiece of our celebration, we will present our annual Strong, Smart, Bold Awards honoring outstanding women who demonstrate exceptional leadership, courage, and dedication to creating opportunities for the next generation.

We invite you to nominate deserving candidates who embody the spirit of Girls Inc. and inspire others through their actions and achievements.

Please use our nomination form to provide the nominee's contact information, followed by a brief description under the nominated category explaining why the candidate exemplifies the qualities of the selected category.

Nomination Link: https://forms.gle/jHP2TiR4NsLwnM4F7

Event Information:

Parking: Complimentary parking will be available in front of the Airport Hilton for all attendees. Upon arrival, please follow the signs directing you to the designated parking area.

Check-In: The registration table will be located at the front entrance of the Airport Hilton. Our staff will assist you with check-in and direct you to your assigned table.

Attire: Business casual attire is recommended. We encourage you to dress comfortably yet professionally for this special celebration.

For questions or additional information, please contact:

Amanda Ingle
aingle@girlsinctnv.org
865-482-4475

Don't miss this opportunity to support girls' empowerment and leadership while celebrating the extraordinary accomplishments of girls and women in our community! We look forward to seeing you at the Day of the Girl Luncheon as we honor these remarkable individuals and continue building a brighter future for all girls in the Tennessee Valley.

For 50 years, Girls Incorporated of Tennessee Valley has been delivering transformative programs that inspire girls ages 5 to 14 to be Strong, Smart, and Bold. Each year, we serve more than 700 girls across Anderson, Knox, and Blount counties, equipping them with the skills, confidence, and resources they need to excel academically, embrace healthy and active lifestyles, and thrive in a rapidly changing world.

Our programs go beyond traditional education, fostering leadership, resilience, and a lifelong love of learning. By providing a safe and supportive environment, we empower girls to dream big and achieve their full potential.

Discover how you can get involved and help us inspire the next generation of leaders. Visit our website at girlsinctnv.org to learn more. Together, we can make a lasting impact!

Girls Inc. of Tennessee Valley Day of Girl Luncheon Event Tickets 2026!

Celebrating the Strong, Smart & Bold Spirit in Every Girl