Empower Her 2026: A Day of Leadership, Confidence, and Chess
On Saturday, Queens Gambit had the honor of returning to Empower Her 2026, a powerful event hosted by the Boys & Girls Clubs of Western Pennsylvania at the Estelle S. Campbell Clubhouse in Lawrenceville. The day brought together 93 girls from Duquesne, Mount Lebanon, Shaler, and Carnegie for a full day of inspiration, connection, and leadership development.
Empower Her is designed to help girls see their potential, build confidence, and connect with peers and mentors who believe in them. Throughout the day, participants rotated through a series of activities led by staff, community partners, board members, and the Boys & Girls Club Teen Team. Each session was designed to encourage leadership, teamwork, and personal growth.
Queens Gambit was proud to once again lead chess sessions during the event. For us, chess is more than a game - it’s a tool for teaching strategy, resilience, and decision-making. During our session, the girls explored how thinking ahead, staying calm under pressure, and believing in your next move can help both on the chessboard and in life.
One of the highlights of the day was hearing from a group of inspiring speakers who shared their journeys and encouraged the girls to pursue their goals with confidence. Speakers included Ms. Pennsylvania, Representative La’Tasha Mayes, Dr. Troy Lyons, and emcee Brittany Alexis, each bringing their own perspective on leadership, perseverance, and the importance of using your voice.
Events like Empower Her don’t happen without dedicated leadership and community support. We are especially grateful to Liz Steig, Sports Manager at Boys & Girls Clubs of Western Pennsylvania and a member of the Queens Gambit board, for organizing such a meaningful day and for continuing to include chess as part of this experience year after year.
We also extend a sincere thank you to Highmark Wholecare for their generous sponsorship, helping make this event possible for the girls who attended.
By the end of the day, the room was filled with energy, laughter, and new friendships. Most importantly, the girls left with something that will stay with them long after the event ended - a deeper sense of confidence, connection, and the reminder that they are capable of leadership.
At Queens Gambit, moments like these reinforce why our work matters. When young women are given the opportunity to learn, challenge themselves, and see what leadership looks like up close, they begin to realize something powerful:
They already have what it takes to make their next move.
