In February, we celebrated what would’ve been Helen’s 103rd birthday. From a secretary’s desk, to the helm of Cosmopolitan, Helen’s journey reminds us that the status quo doesn’t make history, trailblazers do. Her belief in equal access to education, opportunity, and financial independence fuels every grant, scholarship, and program that the Helen Gurley Brown Foundation supports today. We feel honored to carry forward her vision of creating magic, and a world in which everyone can write their own success story. 

BridgeUP: GiddyUP celebrated Black History Month in February with an exciting partnership between them and Chuck Hutton Toyota auto dealership. Chuck Hutton Toyota is the first solely solar powered auto dealership in the United States of America. The partnership is centered around mutual passions for sustainable and regenerative solutions in urban communities. Both parties have a love and appreciation for what animals can do for all of us.

In Atlanta, at the Bridge:UP STEM program, they are gearing up for their end of year celebration and research presentations, as well as opening applications for the start of the 2025 / 2026 cohort to become a BridgeUP Scholar. 

BridgeUP STEM Ambassador, Jasmine O., states, “It’s not just about learning – it’s about growing as a thinker, innovator, and leader. The program challenges you to step outside of your comfort zone, take on meaningful projects, and develop skills that will set you apart. You’ll gain exposure to new opportunities, build connections with professionals, and join a community. If you are looking for a program that will challenge and empower you, BridgeUP is the perfect place to start.” 

BridgeUP: STEM has been awarded Program of the Year by the Collaborative Network for Engineering and Computing Diversity (CoNECD).Our BridgeUP: STEM Team is thrilled for this recognition.  This partnership with the Georgia Tech College of Computing, the Helen Gurley Brown Foundation, and NCWIT is truly transformative for Atlanta-area high school students who have never considered a career in computing research, but are now going on to universities across the country and living their new-found passion. 

BridgeUP STEM Scholars are equipped with the computing research skills to change society. They are inspired with the confidence to succeed in an environment where they have not always been respected. In the words of one of our recent high school participants who just won an MIT research award, “[BridgeUP: STEM] fills me and my family with pride for continuing to take steps into a field that isn’t used to me. BridgeUP has shown me that I can achieve my goals and it’s a sign that I can and will be successful in STEM.”

February brought exciting updates for all of our programming in our Empowering Women vertical. BOLD WLN Scholar at the University of Connecticut, Lydia N. presented her documentary titled, Echoes of Strength. It was filmed in Ghana and explores the stigmatization of autism and features stories of impacted families and community efforts for change. Congratulations, Lydia!

The BOLD Theater Women’s Leadership Circle is constantly innovating and creating.  Four BOLD Associates are working on 2 new work readings, one of which is a BOLD Ventures project! This year’s New Works Now festival at Northern Stage is being produced by 2 BOLD Associates, Brandy Zhang and Mandi Benjamin. Alliance Theater’s Associate Director, Marie Cisco, is directing this year’s Neukon Institute Playwriting Award winner, INTIMATE SURVEILLANCE. This was created by Catherine Steward and is a stirring story about what it means to live in a computerized world. Additionally, BOLD alum, Aileen McGroddy is directing the BOLD Venture project, WONDER! A WOMAN KEEPS A SECRET. We are so happy to see the hard work of all our BOLD participants being recognized. 

At Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, they are in the midst of planning for the annual Helen Gurley Brown Presidential Summit on Women and Science, scheduled for June 5th, 2025. They have two of their panelists confirmed, we are all looking forward to it. We also have exciting Helen Fellow updates.

Helen Fellow, Swathy Babu, PhD is conducting groundbreaking cancer research. She is identifying specific genetic patterns that may trigger melanoma (skin cancer) using specially modified zebrafish. By introducing precisely targeted genetic material into these zebrafish, Dr. Babu can observe how genetic changes could lead to cancer development. These fish will be monitored weekly for tumor development over the next 8 months. This innovative approach could unlock new insights into how melanoma develops and potentially lead to better prevention and treatment options in the future.   

Lastly, within our Empowering Innovation vertical, there are exciting updates at the Brown Institute. They have recently announced their 2025-2026 Magic Grant funding cycle, where they will award up to 1 million dollars in total grants. They encourage bold and creative proposals that push the boundaries of storytelling and technology – particularly bicoastal collaboration involving team members from Columbia and Stanford. Applications are due on April 3rd, the finalists will be announced on April 18th, and the winners will be revealed on the 30th. Projects that win and are funded will begin their work in the fall of 2025! 

In the past, Magic Grants have supported more than 125 innovative initiatives, from artificial intelligence and machine learning, to new forms of data-driven journalism and immersive storytelling. Grantees receive year-long support, including funding of up to $150,000 – or up to $300,000 for projects with team members at both Columbia and Stanford. By fostering interdisciplinary collaboration, the Brown Institute encourages new perspectives and voices that can reshape how media is produced, distributed, and experienced. 

Come back next month for updates from March!