Girls EMpowered, or GEM, is a weekly after school program designed to increase self-esteem and school success for girls. GEM helps ensure that girls across Henderson County have the opportunity to thrive as they reach for their goals. The program is offered during pivotal years when students prepare to transition to middle school or high school. United Way of Henderson County (UWHC) has graduated more than 500 participants from the GEM program since 2017!

Overview of GEM Structure

Girls Empowered (GEM) is a high-quality after-school program designed to help 5^th and 8th-grade girls build confidence, develop healthy relationships, and strengthen the skills needed to thrive in school and in life. Through a longstanding partnership between UWHC and Henderson County Public Schools, GEM is currently offered in all Henderson County public middle schools, five elementary schools, and the Boys & Girls Club, allowing the program to reach girls across the county during critical developmental years. Teachers and counselors facilitate weekly GEM sessions in partnership with an amazing pool of volunteer guest speakers and dedicated United Way staff.  The elementary and middle schools offer 9-10 weekly sessions, while the Boys & Girls Club plays host to a dynamic 6-8 week GEM season for its Summer participants. GEM participants are invited by teachers and counselors, and the aim is to provide participants with both the encouragement and the opportunity to strengthen their self-confidence and to nurture the skills that will improve their school success. A signature feature of the GEM program is the recruitment of inspirational female community leaders to be guest speakers. Each weekly session introduces a particular character trait or topic as a theme, such as empowerment, confidence, inner beauty, perseverance, passion, and leadership. Guest speakers are carefully chosen so as to represent a variety of educational backgrounds, professions and career genres, both corporate and non-profit. They lead engaging discussions with the GEM Girls, share inspirational stories of how they faced challenges, endured setbacks, and overcame these obstacles to reach their goals. 

GEM Locations

Summer & Fall 2026

• Apple Valley Middle School
• Boys & Girls Club (Summer)
• Bruce Drysdale Elementary School
• Clear Creek Elementary School (new in 2026)
• Dana Elementary School 
• Edneyville Elementary School (new in 2026)
• Hendersonville Middle School

Spring 2027

• Flat Rock Middle School
• Hillandale Elementary School 
• Rugby Middle School
• Sugarloaf Elementary School
• Upward Elementary School

History of GEM

GEM’s inspiration came from a project developed in 2015 by a high school student, Sierra Gallman (née Fender), who created and implemented a program at Glenn C. Marlow Elementary School. It was called Girls Leading Our World (GLOW). GLOW focused on positive character traits and female role models for fifth grade girls. A school counselor and teacher led this after school club. Former HCPS school administrator, Dr. Jan King, who is a member of United Way's affinity organization Women United, immediately recognized the promise in the GLOW program and suggested that Women United volunteers work with teachers at Upward Elementary to develop a modified version of this program, “Girls EMpowered” for 5th grade girls.  UWHC began the GEM program at Upward in the spring of 2017 and expanded to Hillandale Elementary and Hendersonville Middle School (for 8th grade girls) in subsequent years. Beginning in 2024, UWHC began an ambitious expansion to bring GEM to all quadrants of Henderson County. GEM is now in all four middle schools, five elementary schools, and is on track to reach our goal of 12 locations during the 2026-2027 school year.

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Want to engage as a guest speaker? Email Mary Ellen Kustin or Katy Gash.

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