At Bellstrike, we serve many nonprofits that have specific missions — combating hunger or preserving historic monuments, for example. Sage Girl, of Stockton, N.J. doesn’t aim at just one goal, but instead uses Bellstrike to address a variety of issues that girls of the “Millenial Generation” face by helping empower, enhance, and celebrate their inherent wisdom and strength. 

Begun in 2006 as The Girls’ Institute For Empowerment, Executive Director Emily Bent came on board in 2011 to revamp the organization and lend the newly-named Sage Girl a fresh perspective. Being a Ph.D candidate in women’s studies and having experience with the United Nations, Bent brought a fresh take on the state of modern young womanhood. 

“Rather than the traditional approach, which is that girls need something — self-esteem, better body image — in order to understand what the media is telling them,” Bent explains, “My approach is that they already have inner strength and wisdom, but need assistance in finding better tools. We help them develop their voice, and build from a position of positivity.” 

Sage Girl delivers a variety of girl-positive programs, including Girls for a Change, which invites young women to design, lead, fund, and implement social change projects in their own neighborhoods. Its involvement with Girls On The Run educates and prepares preteen girls for a lifetime of self respect and healthy living. 

Unique programs include media awareness projects, a one-of-a-kind self-defense and personal preparedness series, and facilitating internships for young women in fields of interest. They even held a girls’ question-and-answer panel with legendary feminist Gloria Steinem. Fitting, indeed, for an organization whose name flips the notion on its head that only wise older men can be “sage.” 

When searching for ways to supplement Sage Girls’ mission online, Bent turned to her brother, a graphic designer, who recommended Bellstrike.

“Many non-profit websites are awful,” Bent laughs. “They just don’t have the money to spend on website development. The best thing about Bellstrike is that it’s clean and professional looking, but also young and fresh, because our material needs to look interesting to girls. We wanted a website that was accessible but not overly cluttered.”

“I love that I can change things around and easily update photos and information without having any background in web development or design at all,” she continues. “The support tools are great; they’re such an easy way for non-profits to develop online giving.”  

The simplicity of using our services has made Bent’s professional life easier. “Every organization needs to have a website. Bellstrike has made it easier to gain legitimacy within our region. We can point people to our site, which is constantly updated. We even brought in an intern who will take over duties for me. It’s a great PR tool and it looks beautiful.

“I absolutely could not be more thrilled, because it feels as if you have a web designer, even if you don’t. It’s been so easy and comfortable the entire time. I’d recommend them to anyone.” 

To learn more about Sage Girl, visit www.SageGirl.org.