women's history month | march 2026
Start your $1/day Impactcreating pathways to her future
As Chrysalis closes Women’s History Month, we reflect not only on the history behind us but on the history being written every day through the lives of the girls and women we serve.
With more tween girls thriving in Chrysalis After-School programs, we responded with our next evolution in 2012: GirlPower Peer Mentoring. We engage high school and college girls in leadership development, mentoring, and college and career preparation to lead and teach the younger girls in Chrysalis After-School programs. This connection creates a powerful cycle of support from one generation to the next.
What happened was powerful.
Participants working with GirlPower Mentors became more than twice as likely to feel confident and hopeful about their futures. GirlPower Mentors themselves experienced profound growth, gaining skills, purpose, and a sense of belonging to something bigger: “a grander sphere of female empowerment.”
The momentum sparked even more opportunity for girls.
In 2014, a small group of dedicated donors funded the Chrysalis Scholars program, opening doors to college/trade schools and career pathways for Chrysalis After-School alumnae and GirlPower Peer Mentors. Hundreds of young women, many of them the first in their families, pursue higher education. Today, thousands of "Chrysalis graduates" are leading and strengthening their communities.
They are not only part of our history - they are writing what comes next!
If you missed the other stories about Chrysalis' history, you can view them here.
girlpower peer mentors
Chrysalis GirlPower Peer Mentors complete comprehensive training—including group management, communication, role play, and problem-solving—before leading curriculum in our after-school programs for younger girls. Through this experience, mentors become positive role models while building leadership, communication, and job skills for adulthood.
learn more here
The founding members of the Chrysalis Scholars Program
Chrysalis recognizes the individuals who in 2014 made the scholars program possible including: Hon. Helen C. Adams, Barbara Barrett, Jodi Beller, Erin Bemis, Dory Briles, Cynde Cronin, Suzanna de Baca, Richard Deming, Nora Everett, Jane Fogg, Jann Freed, Joe Gonzalez, Andi Gordon, Ron & Angel Grubb, Renee Hardman, Tammy Heckart, Terry Hernandez, Deneese Jones, Tracy Linbo, Mell Meredith Frazier, Margie Monachino, Marcia Munger, Lisa Nakashima, Heather L. Palmer, Hon. Artis Reis, Lou Ann Sandburg, Patrice Sayre, Loretta Sieman, Karen Shaff, Rachel Stauffer, Fiedler & Timmer, Marcia Wanamaker, Lisa West, Connie Wimer, Judy Winkelpleck, San Wong (pictured are those in attendance at the celebration. Not all founding members were present).
View more photos from the event here.
support a girl's future with a gift of $1 a day!
Join the Chrysalis 365 Donor Circle and be part of what happens next for girls and women! Just $30/month powers lasting change for girls and women in Greater Des Moines. Join over 80 individuals who have already committed See the list here.
Chrysalis is currently accepting proposals for bookkeeping services.
View the RFP and submission details here.