PINK HARD HATS: BUILDING DREAMS & BREAKING BARRIERS
In May 2025, over 300 girls from middle and high schools across Chicago joined us for the All-Girls Construction Conference — a first-of-its-kind experience exploring careers in construction, architecture, and design.
Through partnerships with Lakeside Alliance, Professional Women in Construction (PWC), Chicago Women in Trades, and other leading industry partners, girls gained hands-on exposure, mentorship, and even learned about concrete certification and real-world job pathways.
Featured Story: Polished Pebbles Founder Kelly Fair joins Melinda French Gates for a powerful conversation on closing the Hope Gap and empowering every girl to be a CEO of her own life.
Polished Pebbles x Melinda French Gates: Redefining Impact
We are deeply honored that Melinda French Gates highlighted the work of the Polished Pebbles Girls Mentoring Program and the brilliance of our girls.
At Polished Pebbles, we believe every girl deserves the confidence, skills, and support to imagine bold futures for herself—whether that’s becoming a scientist, a leader, or creating her own path.
As we continue closing the Hope Gap, we’re launching our Every Girl Is a CEO Train-the-Trainer Model, equipping schools and community partners across Chicago to bring our proven curriculum to even more girls. This next chapter amplifies our impact, ensuring every girl knows she is the CEO of her own life.
Join the Legacy: The Pebble Wall
Every movement begins with a single pebble.
As we celebrate 15 years of empowering girls, you can leave your mark by claiming your place on the Pebble Wall — a lasting tribute to those helping us build brighter futures for girls everywhere.
How Can You Donate and Support Girl Mentorship Programs
Polished Pebbles’ nonprofit programming is made possible by a collective of individuals supporting our mission of securing brighter futures for girls.
Our mission at Polished Pebbles is to help girls and young women become effective communicators at home, school, and the future workplace.
1| Community
Outreach
Dedicated programing in the Chicagoland area and beyond tailored to the communities we serve.
2| Hands-On Workplace Experience
We provide young girls with job shadows to learn first-hand and network with our partners.
3| Prepare for
the future
Polished Pebbles focuses on closing “The Hope Gap” in underserved communities to promote career readiness.
Our Impact Since 2009
Girls Served
Girls 10 to 18 across 900 sq. miles of Chicagoland, Indiana, Texas, North Carolina, South Africa, Jamaica, Kenya and India.
partnerships
Our innovative corporate partners expose girls to new career opportunities and professional skill building.
mentors
Volunteers are a valuable community resource who serve as mentors and teach the girls we serve.
Closing The
Hope Gap
Kelly saw a gap in girls-centered programming to help them build strong communication skills at home, at school, and in preparation for the future workplace; this led her to start Polished Pebbles Girls Mentoring Program. Working together receipt to eliminate the “hope gap” experienced by too many girls, and girls of color in Chicago and internationally.
Corporate
Partnership
We partner with local business leaders and corporations to close the hope gap by empowering and preparing girls to shine and excel to their full potential for their future in college, trades, or careers. There are so many ways to support our mission. Attend one of our upcoming events, volunteer your time, partner with us as a corporate sponsor, and donate at a variety of levels. Your generosity towards this year’s fundraising goal makes a direct impact on these girls’ futures.
“I am excited to welcome the next generation of leaders into this exciting field. I hope they had a positive experience, hopefully this is the first step of many into a very bright future for each of them.”
— Schereina Horton, sr. workforce development specialist
Follow Us on LinkedIn
Our Corporate Partners
Our School Partners
