A Key Change for GR!C

Can you recall the first time you felt truly heard? The joy of expressing yourself freely, the excitement of being part of a community that understands and celebrates you, and the empowerment of finding your voice?

At Girls Rock! Chicago, we’re proud to collaborate with our youth to create these special moments through the power of music.

Girls Rock! Chicago was founded in 2005 to empower girls and women through music and address gender equity in the male dominated space of rock music. For nearly 18 years, GR!C has challenged ideas about who plays music, takes up space, and gets loud. Year after year, GR!C continues to create so many joyful memories on stages and in studios, launch life-long friendships, and inspire countless youth to be their most authentic selves.

Earlier this year, GR!C announced that we are taking action to find a new name for our organization. Our staff and board are diving into the deep work to create a new brand that will strengthen our mission, expand our impact, and especially amplify the voices of those for whom the word ‘girl’ does not fit. While we’re still in the beginning stage of this transformation, the feedback and encouragement from our supporters has affirmed our confidence about this big change in our organization’s identity, impact, and future.

We want to express our deepest gratitude to our supporters and community who have helped GR!C empower girls, trans, and gender expansive youth through music for 17 years. It is because of your generosity and commitment to our mission that Girls Rock! Chicago has the opportunity to evolve and create a new chapter. We are so excited to build a more intentional, inclusive, and impactful Girls Rock! Chicago where more youth and folks of all ages feel a greater sense of belonging and ownership in our work.

Your gift can ensure a bright future for not just our organization, but the youth who need a brave space to fearlessly create and build community. Please donate today to ensure that Girls Rock! Chicago will continue to amplify youth voices. With a tax deductible gift of any size, you can help us reach our goal of $5,000 by December 31, 2023. A gift of $150 or more includes an exclusive GR!C tote bag with “Protect Trans Kids” screen printed by our Youth Action Committee.

Whether or not you can make a gift, we hope you will join us at community-wide meetings around our name change and ask that you spread the word about our programs and mission. Subscribe to our newsletter and follow our social media channels for meeting announcements and our progress in the coming year.

Please join us on this journey to turn the page to the next chapter of GR!C’s history – and thank you for bringing our organization and our youth to this exciting time!