This story first appeared in Volume 1, Issue 3 of the Owensboro Times quarterly newspaper.
For more than 26 years, Courtney Calhoun Kendall has been helping inspire and mentor young women at Girls Inc. of Owensboro-Daviess County, the same organization that shaped her as a child.
Kendall first joined Girls Inc. as a member at age 6 and stayed through age 13, now serving as the campus manager at both of the nonprofit’s locations (2130 East 19th Street and 2818 New Hartford Road). She said the relationships she built then, along with the impact of the programming, made it a natural step to return as a staff member.
“I like to tell people that every girl has a story, and I need to find out what happens at the end,” Kendall said. “If I go tomorrow and a new girl starts, I’ve got to see what happens with her.”
Girls Inc. has served the community since 1969 and is the only chapter remaining in Kentucky. The organization offers after-school and summer programs for girls ages 6 to 18, focusing on academic enrichment, healthy living, and life skills.
Kendall said the program has evolved significantly since her time as a member. It has grown from one location to two and expanded its offerings to include gender-specific, research-based curriculum provided by the national headquarters. Programming ranges from economic and media literacy to self-defense and STEM.
“Our mission is to inspire all girls to be strong, smart, and bold,” Kendall said. “We may have some girls who start off shy and unsure of themselves, but after participating, it’s a whole new world for them. They’re confident, they’re taking risks, and they’re comfortable being who they are.”
The organization supplements its curriculum with field trips, community partnerships, and mentoring opportunities. Partnerships have included visits to local businesses and special programs such as Southern Star’s Women in Natural Gas initiative, which introduces girls to career paths where women are underrepresented.
Kendall credits the organization’s success to strong leadership from CEO Tish Correa Osborne, support from the community, and a staff that believes in the mission.
Osborne similarly said Kendall has been instrumental to Girls Inc. through the years, holding positions from preschool teacher and program facilitator to volunteer/operations manager and now campus manager.
“She takes great pride in her work and in the impact she has personally had on girls’ lives, as she should,” Osborne said. “She has seen generations come through our doors and remembers the names of the girls, their moms, dads, grandparents, etc. She has a real gift for that, and it is one of the many reasons why she is so loved. We can’t thank her enough for all the skills and experiences she has helped make possible for the girls. … Everyone who knows Courtney loves her. I sure do.”
Kendall said one of the most rewarding parts of her job is seeing former participants succeed — whether they’ve become business owners, earned advanced degrees, or taken on leadership roles. Some return to speak with current members, creating a network of mentorship and encouragement.
“We like to say, once a Girls Inc. member, always a Girls Inc. member,” Kendall said. “We’re always going to be there to support them. When you believe in it, it’s just a whole new world. That’s probably the reason why I’m still here — because I do believe in it.”
