On September 4, 2025 at Lincoln East High School, Feminist Club announced to the club members the decision to join a global wide organization called Girl Up. The initial reason to join this club was to have access to more resources and be a part of a broader organization that is globally influential.

Girl Up is a leadership development organization that prioritizes the equity of women around areas of the world where they are unrepresented. Under the United Nations Foundation, the organization influences around 345,000 girls and youth leaders. This influence is expanded throughout 155 countries, including the 50 states in the U.S. Many clubs and programs around the world take part in this organization, impacting fundraisers, resources, and inspiring surrounding communities.

The president of the club, Avery Nordhues, a junior, knew nothing about this organization until the vice president, Lily Abele, another junior, informed her of its impact. Abele was a part of Girl Up in elementary school, and most schools around Lincoln also participated within the organization.

“So then when Lily reminded us that Girl Up club has come to elementary schools and been with her as an elementary schooler, it motivated her and worked with young girls, that was really cool and an inspiring thing,” Nordhues said.

That influenced Nordhues to start looking at bigger organizations and reached out to the sponsor of the club, Francesca Rhors.

Francesca Rhors has been teaching here at Lincoln East High school for seven years, and sponsoring the club for two years. Being the sponsor of the club, she has been helping the transition of this change through management, by charting information and reaching out to Mr. Deutsch, an admin to take the next steps for the club.

“We’re looking into doing consistent programming at an elementary school that is just sort of empowering girlhood,” Rohrs said. “Making people feel good about who they are, I think, is what they’re doing at the elementary school level.”

Lincoln East Girl Up looks to gain a lot of benefits from this change. The expansion of networks around the country along with others who advocate for women has helped the unity of girls globally. The club also wants to be a part of Girl Up to increase the scope of impact, like visiting elementary schools or doing impactful fundraisers and outreach. Through the benefits of Girl Up, there are also some continuities from previous years to this year.

“We’re still going to do hygiene drives to help, like supporting local women’s shelters,” Nordhues said. “And at the end of the day, we’re going to have the same activities that feminist club members know and love.”

Lincoln East Girl Up is one to make an impact on communities. Just thinking about the club joining a stronger and broader organization, is already influencing students and other schools to take part in this incredible club.