Being strong, smart and bold was on full display at Girls Inc.’s 19th annual Lunch for the Girls.

With the help of current Girls Inc. members and keynote speaker, Georgia political leader Stacey Abrams, $225,000 was raised for the organization from the event.

The event served as a reminder of how this community continues to enrich the lives of young girls growing up in Nebraska.

Jaylin Sims and Tyjae Stovall shared the importance of externships and the opportunities they worked toward achieving, while LaTaija Broadway shared her experience as a member of the Girls Inc. basketball team.

A member of Girls Inc for 13 years, Broadway recalled the important lessons she learned from her coach and role model.

 “Mr. Joe instilled in me the value of team and the importance of giving my all, not only on the court, but also in my education and throughout life,” Broadway said. “His motto was, ‘We’d love to have you, but we don’t need you,’ which may sound mean, but makes you realize how important it is to take advantage of every opportunity.”

This sentiment of opportunity for black girls and women was a theme throughout the event.

This was not lost on Abrams, the first black woman in the United States to receive the gubernatorial nomination of a major party and to deliver a response to the presidential State of the Union address.

Abrams speech in Omaha was more a conversation with the girls, centered around her three rules she abides by every day:

• Be fierce. “Being fierce in my mind is about thinking beyond what you are told you are, but it is also about being afraid.”

• Be foolish. “The integral part of being foolish is the willingness to embrace the mistakes, to embrace the (failure), and to stand up as fast as you can and to start running again.”

• Be friends. “Being friends is the most important part of being leaders. It’s the most important part of being human.”

This advice closely mirrors the Girls Inc. mantra, as her personal stories and advice further explained and spoke to what the girls have already come to value.

Throughout this event, which was held Monday, Dec. 16, at the CHI Health Center in Omaha, it became apparent that the next group of strong, smart and bold women has already arrived.

This feeling was echoed by Abrams, who said, “My job is to prove myself to myself by being as much as I can be.”