The Girls of Promise® is an initiative of the Women’s Foundation of Arkansas which exposes girls to opportunities and mentors in STEAM fields with the goal of increasing the number of women in higher-level STEAM courses, careers, and putting them on the path to achieve economic security as women.

About Girls of Promise®

Since 1999, more than 5,000 eighth-grade girls have been introduced to women with careers in STEAM fields, participated in hands-on learning activities, and met other girls passionate about learning through Girls of Promise® conferences and other programs, presented by Acxiom. The initiative, which originally started as a two-day conference for eighth-grade girls, now also includes the Innovate for Good (formerly known as Tech for Good) Competition, the Tjuana Byrd Summer Internship, and other programs for Arkansas girls through grantee partners.

All the programs through the initiative are completely free for participants. Learn more about the programs below. 

Girls of Promise® Conference

The annual Girls of Promise® conference is open to 8th-grade girls who are interested in Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts & Math in Arkansas! Students will learn about various STEAM careers, enhance their skills, and meet women mentors excelling in their fields.

Girls of Promise® Conference

Tjuana Byrd Summer Internship Program

As part of the Girls of Promise® initiative, the Tjuana Byrd Summer Internship Program—named in honor of the Foundation’s first Black president—supports women of color attending college in Arkansas who are pursuing degrees in Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics (including finance and related fields). This 12-week program, in partnership with leading companies across Arkansas, is intentionally designed to expand access and representation in high-demand fields by removing barriers related to cost, social capital, and location. Reflecting the commitment and generosity of our corporate partners, the program provides interns with competitive pay ($15–$20 per hour), free housing, travel stipends, professional networking opportunities, and more—ensuring they are equipped for both professional success and personal growth.

Program Details:

  • Paid Internship $15 – $20 an hour
  • Housing provided for duration of the program
  • Transportation and childcare stipend, if applicable
  • Networking opportunities and mentorship
  • Professional Development sessions created to boost career confidence

Eligibility:

  • Identify as a woman
  • Be a person of color and/or of a minority race or ethnicity
  • Pursuing a 2-year or 4-year degree in STEM fields (finance & related majors included) attending university in the state of Arkansas or be an Arkansas resident
  • Be a rising collegiate junior, senior, or recent graduate

Application Requirements:

  • One Letter of Recommendation
  • Resume
  • Unofficial transcript
  • Completed Application Questions

Past Participating Companies:

  • Acxiom
  • Arkansas Electric Cooperative Corporation
  • Arvest Bank
  • Garver
  • Southwest Power Pool
  • Stone Bank
  • Windstream
  • CDI Contractors
  • and more!

Desired Majors/Minors

(This list is not exhaustive. If your major/minor is not listed, it does not disqualify you. Please still apply!!)

  • IT Business
  • Management
  • Accounting
  • Marketing
  • Environmental
  • Engineering
  • Physics
  • Microbiology
  • Automation
  • Graphic Design
  • Finance
  • Information Technology
  • Economics
  • Math
  • Cyber Security
  • Information Systems
  • Computer Science
  • Data Analytics
  • Electrical
  • Engineering
  • Mechanical Engineering
  • Industrial Engineering
  • Software Engineering
  • Civil Engineering
  • Agricultural Engineering
  • Geography Environmental
  • Science
  • Physical Science
  • Chemistry
  • Biology
  • Construction Management
  • Construction Engineering Technology

Arkansas Companies: Interested in hosting interns and increase your pool of qualified candidates for hire? Join us TODAY! Email [email protected] to learn of how your company can partner with us for the 2026 Tjuana Byrd Internship Program.

Thank you to all of our previous and current sponsors. We couldn’t do this without you!

 

Innovate for Good Competition

The Innovate for Good (Formerly known as Tech for Good) competition challenges 6th – 12th-grade girls to team up and work together to develop an app, website, computer program, 3D printer template, or anything innovative (that incorporates technology) that they’re inspired to create! Teams are allowed to have up to 4 members. Each submission must either directly benefit, or provide a service to address a community need that is predetermined by Girls of Promise®. Innovate for Good allows girls to use their tech skills to make something that helps others!

Learn More Here!

Girls of Promise® Sponsors

 

Thank you so much for sponsoring Girls of Promise® this year!  Our Girls of Promise® programs are ONLY possible because of amazing support from sponsors and volunteers! Listed below are this year’s sponsors and their level of sponsorship.

Presenting Sponsor:

Acxiom Corporation

Champion Sponsors:

Conger Wealth Management

 

Nucor-Yamato Steel Company

Pat McClelland

Innovation Sponsors:

Garver Gives

Craton Tull

Dassault Falcon Jet

Arkansas Blue Cross Blue Shield

 

Catalyst Sponsor:

Arkansas School for Mathematics, Science, and the Arts

Please contact our Director of Strategic Initiatives with any questions related to Girls of Promise®.

Maddie San Juan Director of Strategic Programs & Initiatives
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