Day of the Girl Celebration 2026

Join us for an inspiring celebration as we commemorate the International Day of the Girl and honor the remarkable achievements of women in our community! Girls Inc. of TN Valley invites you to our signature annual event dedicated to empowering and recognizing the potential of girls. 

Event Details:

Date: Thursday, October 8th, 2026
Time: 11:00 AM - 12:30 PM
Location: Airport Hilton, 2001 Alcoa Hwy, Alcoa, TN 37701

Featured Speaker: Sharon Hannum

We are honored to welcome Sharon Hannum as our 2026 keynote speaker. A Blount County native and Maryville High School graduate, Sharon broke barriers as the first woman recruited into a supervisory role in Alcoa's North Ingot Department, going on to a distinguished 30-year career with the company. Since retiring, she has devoted herself to service across East Tennessee — serving on the East Tennessee Foundation Board of Trustees, chairing Blount County's Jail Inspection Committee, and founding the Accelerated Candidate Leadership Development Program to prepare emerging young leaders for public service. A longtime mentor to girls through the Daughters of Imani Girls Mentoring Program and recipient of the ATHENA Leadership Award, Sharon embodies what it means to be strong, smart, and bold — and she has spent a lifetime opening doors for those coming behind her.

Celebration Highlights:

This year's Day of the Girl Luncheon will feature a special program celebrating the accomplishments of girls and women who exemplify our core values of being strong, smart, and bold. The event will include inspiring stories from program participants, community impact highlights, and recognition of those making a difference in the lives of girls across our region.