SANTA BARBARA, CA – Supporters of Girls Inc. of Greater Santa Barbara came together for their 7th annual Celebration Luncheon at Fess Parker's Doubletree Resort on Tuesday to commemorate the group's 50th anniversary and the release of a new book.

After opening welcomes and acknowledgements from event co-chairs Donna Fisher-Yates and Joan Marinello Bowman, book and event founder Martha Salas introduced the book "More Letters from the Heart" -- produced by Girls Inc.

The book is a collection of inspirational letters to girls from notable women and inspired by the group's national "Tell Me" campaign. Girls Inc. asked 50 women contributors: "What piece of advice would have been helpful to you growing up and what would you tell a young girl today?" Their answers were melded with the contributions in the form of art and words from young girls who were asked the same question.

After the introduction of the book, several speakers addressed the crowd. The first was Rep. Lois Capps, D-Santa Barbara.
"Girls Inc. has been a wonderful asset for our community for 50 years," she said. "As a nurse, educator, and now as a member of Congress, I have repeatedly seen how Girls Inc. has benefited girls in my community and across the country. I am proud to join them in their efforts to give young women the tools they need to expand their horizons, try new things, and become leaders and role models."

Next came Chely Rodriguez, recipient of the group's 1998 National Scholar award, who spoke about the effect Girls Inc. has had on her life.

Ms. Rodriguez said that she has been involved with the organization in a variety of ways since she was 5. She mentioned the different "ups and downs" that speckled her life as a young girl growing up in Carpinteria.

Ms. Rodriguez attributes to the organization her ability to overcome growing up with an alcoholic father while her mother battled cancer.

"Living in a home with so many problems, it was difficult to focus on my own life and prepare for my future," said Ms. Rodriguez
She continued, saying that despite achieving popularity and success in junior high and high school, she remained unhappy and didn't feel successful. Soon she found herself living in a youth shelter, where she grew careless and confused. But the help she received at Girls Inc. during the summer of 1994 helped her overcome her problems, she said.

"Girls Inc. didn't change the circumstances in my life," said Ms. Rodriguez. "But it did teach me what I could do to take control of my life."

Ms. Rodriguez remarks were followed by speeches from Alyce Faye Eichelberger Cleese, a fellow of the British Psychological Society, and singer Nancy Wilson.

The two women spoke of their personal experiences through life, much to the delight of the crowded room.

Girls Inc. of Greater Santa Barbara is a nonprofit organization that was started on March 17, 1958, with a mission "To help girls become good wives, mothers, homemakers, and citizens." Classes offered at the time included: knitting, hostess training, personality development, baby care and grooming.

The ideals of the organization have evolved over the years. Their mission today is to inspire all girls to be "Strong, Smart and Bold."
Programs today include: Operation SMART, Media Literacy, Economic Literacy, Preventing Adolescent Pregnancy, Sporting Chance, Friendly Peersuasion and Project Bold.

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