Role models. I have very few role models of women in power when I think of politics or corporations. It’s hard to be a girl and dream of something like being in the Fortune 500 without any female role models.”

Simone Punchak

Related

Girls’ call to action  

Related

Support is a phone call (or email) away

The year is 2025, and the United States has yet to see a female president. In the first-ever Girls Report in Rhode Island, a panel of young girls posed a crucial question to the audience — ‘Where are our women leaders?’

The Girls Report is more than just an update; it is a call to action. One of the key requests from the girls on the panel is for more women in leadership roles to serve as role models for future generations. 

Dana Borrelli-Murray, CEO of the Girl Scouts of Southeastern New England, who was inspired by the 2023 Indiana Girl Report, asked, “What could a report look like for Rhode Island?” That simple question sparked a plan to collect data and find an answer to the pressing issue of the state of girls in Rhode Island.

Alongside Kelly Nevins, CEO of the Women’s Fund of Rhode Island, and Beth Thompson, the special projects manager, a team spent eight months collecting data in various ways. 

The report was finalized and presented on Feb. 25, 2025, at the Blue Room in Cranston, Rhode Island. Thompson remarked, “It’s been a whole lot of work but incredibly gratifying.” She then introduced the panel of girls selected to discuss the findings in the report and share their ideas for creating a better environment for girls in Rhode Island. She turned it over to the panelists, saying, “Who better to talk about this report than some amazing girls from Rhode Island.”  

Girls' call to action 
The panel discussion began with Nevins asking, “What are some of the biggest challenges you are facing?” Simone Punchak, gold award girl scout and senior at Classical High School, answered by discussing her interests in economics and her desire to become part of the Fortune 500. She said, “Role models. I have very few role models of women in power when I think of politics or corporations. It’s hard to be a girl and dream of something like being in the Fortune 500 without any female role models.” 

She went on to discuss her own endeavor to start an economics club at her school because there wasn’t one. She acknowledged her ability to become a leader in her school and community but noted how that doesn’t always set you up for success in the real world. “I had an interest in business and economics literacy, so I founded an economics club. So yes, you can be a leader, but how does that make you feel if you’re not set up for success in the real world? There needs to be support with it.” Once again, the topic of role models and the lack of women in powerful positions came up for discussion.

Maliha Qandi, junior coach for Girls on the Run and senior at LaSalle Academy, answered the same probing question about the challenges she faces as a girl. Her answer was nearly identical to Punchak’s, though it referenced sports instead of the Fortune 500. She described the phenomenon of the Super Bowl, which features all-male football players, and how big and powerful that event is. “When you think about girls’ sports, you can’t find an event like the Super Bowl where it's showcased and cheered like that,” she said. She explained that while girls do have opportunities to play sports, there isn’t as much attention and support, especially beyond high school. 

Another panelist, Euphemia Thompson, who is a part of YWEC at Rhode Island Community and Justice, answered the question by referencing mental health issues. She said, “One big thing would be talking about mental health more and building a bigger, more welcoming system for boys and girls to talk about mental health at school.” She also discussed the need to talk more about feelings at home and have them validated. Her answer ended with, “You know, little things like that could help.” Nevins added, “Not so little, those are the big things.” 

Kai Davis, leader of Black Student Alliance and senior at Lincoln School, added, “Hyper-sexualization of girls is a major issue.” She continued, “Social media is the root of the problem.” This sparked the only interruption from the audience, as a chorus of outspoken “yeses” and nodding heads filled the room. All the girls and speakers nodded in agreement as well.  

However, when later asked about what needs to change and how adults can support them, Davis noted that social media can also be used as a positive tool. She spoke about how, when she notices something that needs to change, she takes steps to change it, like starting an advocacy group. She explained, “If you are introverted like me, just do it digitally; I use social media for advocacy.” 

A question from the audience asked the panel of girls to reflect on how “average” girls might address these issues in comparison to them, seeming to set them apart as well above average. The answer from the panel to this question emphasized a desire to be seen as equal to all girls and united in their efforts to create positive changes for the betterment of the state.

Multiple organizations in Rhode Island have signed the 2025 Girls Report in a united statement noting a dedication to using the data collected in the report to better support girls in the state. The 2025 Girls Report outlines several actionable steps that people can take to support girls. The full report is available on the Women’s Fund of Rhode Island website.