In celebration of International Day of the Girl, this email was sent to Hershey Entertainment & Resorts team members. 

Good morning, 

Today marks the 10th anniversary of the global celebration of International Day of the Girl (IDG). This year’s theme is “Our time is now—our rights, our future.” Today is a reminder that girls and young women everywhere must continue to face and overcome the obstacles impeding their ability to reach their full potential.  

As highlighted by organizations like UNICEF, “with adversity comes resourcefulness, creativity, tenacity, and resilience. The world’s 600 million adolescent girls have shown time and time again that given the skills and opportunities, they can be changemakers driving progress in their communities.” Throughout the next year, in honor of IDG, UNICEF has issued a “global call for greater attention, investment, and action on:”  

• “Supporting the leadership of adolescent girls at the forefront of change efforts, including by hearing their voices, responding to their asks, and nurturing spaces for their inclusion in decision-making.”
• “Increasing resources for and investments in adolescent girls, including for the networks and organizations that support quality and inclusive education and prioritize their well-being.”
• “Improving access to and uptake of inclusive adolescent girl-centered services at all times, especially in crisis response and recovery.”

Hershey Entertainment & Resorts (HE&R) is committed to meeting this call to action, specifically with the female students at Milton Hershey School (MHS). During this school year, 15 MHS female students will be mentored by women leaders from HE&R. We are thrilled to see many of our female team members partnering with MHS students for its M.O.L.D. (Mentoring Our Leaders’ Development) initiative. Additionally, HE&R’s Women In Leadership (WIL) employee resource group is also proud to regularly participate in the “Hugs and Kisses for Catherine” program at MHS, which is led by Jane Gurt, wife of President Gurt, to celebrate, support, mentor, encourage, and serve as a role model for the many female students at MHS who participate in this innovative program. 

We encourage you to support and empower the girls in your life today and every day and to invest in a future that believes in their talent, leadership, and potential. 

Thank you.