Girls are underestimated and overlooked too often. Phenomenal People was founded in 2006 with a fierce determination to flip that narrative. We are more than just a girls’ club; we’re a movement to foster strong, caring relationships and pass on the strength and values of Bermuda's heritage to the next generation.

In Bermuda, our girls are more than twice as likely to report elevated symptoms of anxiety compared with their male counterparts. (Cavanagh et al, 2025). This can happen because girls often go through puberty earlier, worry more about fitting in, and have fewer resources to handle stress. Without the proper support, these challenges can harm their confidence, health and future opportunities. There is a pressing need for gender-responsive programmes that build self-esteem, confidence and emotional resilience — critical protective factors for positive youth development. We need programmes made just for girls — initiatives that build self-esteem, courage and emotional strength.

That is where Phenomenal People’s Dream Girls Club comes in. We create a safe space for girls aged 9 to 17 to be seen, heard and supported. Through educational workshops, talks and fun events, girls come together to grow and dream big. Our Dream Girls mentoring and scholarship programmes help to guide them towards brighter futures with the scaffolding they need. We are empowering the next generation of female Bermudian leaders.

Last year, we reached more than 278 girls. Five of our Dream Girls earned scholarships to Bermuda College and universities overseas. But our impact goes beyond numbers.

Dream Girl Daniela Buglione, now a digital marketing expert, said: “I first came to Girls Club just to pick up a friend. I never expected it would change my life. I learnt so much that still helps me today, especially as a woman. Coming back now as a mentor helps me grow even more and give back to others. I want to support the other girls the way I was supported.”

Another Dream Girl, Mackenzie Costa, now a professional graphic designer, shared: “I want to thank the Phenomenal People/Dream Girls Club for supporting my career goals and believing in me.”

When we invest in girls, they rise — and they bring others with them.

Our vision is bold: to serve the community by fostering and nurturing the next generation of female leaders. Our goal is to help even more girls find their voice and purpose. But we cannot do this work alone. We need help from the whole community — parents, volunteers, donors, teachers and professionals.

Here is how you can help: volunteer your time or skills, sponsor a workshop or event, donate to support a girl’s education or just spread the word about our work.

Phenomenal girls don’t just happen; they are nurtured by phenomenal communities. They grow when we believe in them, stand by them and lift them up.

Let’s work together to create a brighter future, one girl at a time.

• Margaret Giloth is founder and president of Phenomenal People. For more information about Phenomenal People, visitwww.phenomenalpeoplebda.com. This op-ed is part of the Third Sector Spotlight Series, a collective media campaign co-ordinated by the Non-Profit Alliance of Bermuda, which aims to raise awareness of the value, impact and contributions of Bermuda’s non-profit sector