Boston GLOW launched the IGNITE Change initiative in 2010 to give teen girls in underfunded, Boston area schools the opportunity to use their voices to promote local, actionable change. Our annual fundraiser, IGNITE the NITE, seeks to raise scholarship funds for the finalists of the IGNITE Change Essay Contest. Last year, our grassroots efforts raised over $10,000 in scholarship monies to deserving young women, and this year we are looking to double that. We work with the finalists one-on-one to create and support their educational plans and develop leadership and communication skills to help them achieve their goals.

Please join us for our second annual IGNITE the NITE:

A little peek at what we accomplished last year...

IGNITE the NITE Raises $10,000 in Scholarship Funds

Boston, MA – Undeterred by Boston's third major snowstorm, Boston GLOW supporters gathered in droves at Elevin Studio in Fort Point on Thursday January 27 for IGNITE the NITE, a candlelit affair which raised more than $10,000 in scholarship funds for the finalists of the IGNITE Change essay contest. 

Boston GLOW fosters opportunities for women of all ages to become empowered community leaders and active world citizens. Through two specific program areas -Girls' Leadership (GL) and Organized Women (OW), GLOW strives to provide pragmatic programming, leadership training, and service-learning opportunities. 

The IGNITE Change essay contest was conceived by Boston GLOW founder Leah Moschella, and AC Gaughen, a Boston-based author, to give teen girls in Boston's most overburdened schools the opportunity to use their voice to promote local, actionable, and positive change. They asked essay writers to put forth ideas for change in their schools, communities and cities, in 1500 words or less. The finalists will be chosen and paired with local young adult authors for mentorship and to further develop their writing skill and voice. 

Organized in just two months by a team of women from Boston GLOW, IGNITE the NITE sought to increase programming awareness and to raise money for the award prize. A focal point of the evening was the silent auction, thirty packages ranging from tickets to the Jose Mateo Ballet and dinner at City Table to a VIP backstage tour of Good Morning America. Local artists contributed jewelry, photography, graphic illustrations, and a handful created one-of-a-kind pieces specifically for IGNITE the NITE. A candlelit wall displayed sports memorabilia from signed baseballs and autographed photos to a roll of 2004 World Series tickets. 

Guests mingled among a lush landscape of ethereal paper lanterns, white roses, white hydrangea and a constellation of candles while they dined on small bites, all provided by sarah&cara, a Boston area fine events company. Red Bones and Rino's Place donated hot dishes to welcome guests in from the cold and a bar, sponsored by Triple 8 Vodka, Cape Ann Brewery and Narragansett Beer, served signature "IGNITE-tinis", wine from Martighetti Liquors, Bauer Wine and Spirits and more. 

"I couldn't be more pleased with the outcome," said Emily Copeman, Fundraising Director, "in total we raised more than $10,000, which will translate to a substantial head start for an aspiring college student who has nothing. It's amazing what we were able to achieve even at the grassroots level." 

Leah Moschella, Boston GLOW founder, is already looking forward. "Now we focus our attention toward the awards banquet on April 12. We are thrilled to have esteemed mentors sharing their stories and inspiring these young women to use their voices." AC Gaughen agrees: "Now comes the fun part: we get to see what we can do, what we can change, for these young women. They ignited change and we have the privilege of carrying the flame." One thing is clear – this is just the beginning for Boston GLOW.

Photos from the event: