Samantha Ellrich Announced as TLH/Leon County Commission on
the Status of Women and Girls April 2017 #YearOfTheGirl Honoree
The Tallahassee/Leon County Commission on the Status of Women (CSWG) today announced the final #YearOfTheGirl (#YOTG) honoree for April 2017 as Samantha Diane Ellrich, a 14-year-old seventh grader at Cobb Middle School. The CSWG’s #YearOfTheGirl initiative highlights a different girl each month to showcase the talent, diversity, goals, and dreams of Tallahassee-Leon County’s girls. The announcement was made during the 2017 Women and Girls Summit, titled “Ignite the Power Within,” held on Friday, April 14, at Tallahassee Community College Workforce Development Center.
“Samantha is a young woman who is fiercely committed to inclusion,” said Paula DeBoles-Johnson, chair of the Tallahassee/Leon County Commission on the Status of Women and Girls. “At such a young age, she is already making significant strides toward improving our city and county for women and girls through her scholarship, public service and leadership. Acknowledging her at the Summit was the perfect way to conclude this year-long celebration of exceptional girls in the city and county.”
About Samantha Diane Ellrich, April 2017 #YearOfTheGirl Honoree:
She is Beta Club president and an honor roll student at Cobb Middle School; Samantha also is a talented artist who uses the hashtag #MakeArtNotJudgments. She strives to blur the lines that divide people from one another.
Samantha is active in youth groups at her worship place, Unitarian Universalist Church, and is an activist for LGBT issues affecting young people, often traveling to conventions held throughout the Southeast.
Samantha participates in the Going Places Street Outreach through Capital City Youth Services (CCYS) and is on the soccer team at school.
She works tirelessly with homeless youth and is a budding activist with a passion for equal treatment of all people.
In the future, Samantha wants to become even more involved in community outreach program and LGBT initiatives.
She hopes to attend college and, someday, become a film producer so that she can tell people’s stories.
About #YearOfTheGirl
CSWG #YearOfTheGirl Honorees must demonstrate an outstanding initiative in civic, community, service, or education projects. Additional information, including FAQs and the nomination form, can be found at the Commission’s website, www.TallahasseeLeonCSWG.com.
About the Tallahassee/Leon County Commission on the Status of Women and Girls
In April of 2011, The Leon County Board of County Commissioners established the Leon County Commission on the Status of Women and Girls as a citizen’s advisory committee. In March of 2013, the City of Tallahassee proudly joined Leon County and created the new Tallahassee/Leon County Commission on the Status of Women and Girls. By establishing and supporting CSWG, the City of Tallahassee and Leon County have taken a strong stand in support of women and girls in our community. The primary purposes of the CSWG are to promote awareness of issues pertaining to women and girls in Tallahassee and Leon County and to serve in an advisory role, providing input to the City and County Commissions as needed. To learn more, visit this link: CSWG Website.
