2025 Girl Within Event
Thank you for your support!
2025 Woman of the Year Evelyn Johnson inspired us with her bold leadership and dedication to uplifting women and girls.
2025 Young Woman of the Year Marisa Caponetti inspired us with her courage and determination.
Abby inspired us with her perseverance during an uncertain time.
Heidi inspired us with her touching story and volunteerism.
Beyonca inspired us with her amazing talents and Yvonne inspired us with her devotion to helping Beyonca thrive.
Raye inspired us with her resilience in the face of unimaginable hardship.
At The Village for Families & Children 25th annual Girl Within fundraiser on December 5, donors and corporate sponsors raised more than $250,000 to provide critical support to women and girls in Greater Hartford who have been affected by trauma.
It was the most successful event in Girl Within’s 25-year history, raising a record total to support a range of services at The Village that help women and girls overcome challenges and gain confidence, independence and hope.
More than 600 guests heard inspiring stories from Village clients and powerful remarks from this year’s honorees.
2025 Woman of the Year
Evelyn Johnson has been a dedicated community leader in Greater Hartford for 25 years, driven by a passion for empowering young people and advancing equity through service, mentorship, and advocacy.
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She is Assistant General Counsel at The Hartford, serves on the board of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Hartford, and previously chaired the board of Aurora Women and Girls Foundation. Through these and her volunteerism with groups such as Grace Academy, the Junior League of Hartford, and Faith Church Wolcott, Evelyn has worked to uplift and inspire young people — especially girls and young women — for decades.
2025 Young Woman of the Year
Marisa Caponetti is a courageous and inspiring high school student who turned a personal battle with a rare bone cancer into a powerful movement for change.
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Despite undergoing extensive treatment and missing school, she founded “CapoStrong,” raising over $125,000 for children’s cancer research. In addition, Marisa is an honor roll student, school club president, and volunteers through her church. Her resilience and leadership continue to uplift and unite her community.
Emcee
Caitlin Burchill has built her career around connection, storytelling, and service. For six years, she was a familiar face on Connecticut television, guiding viewers through the day’s headlines and standing up for consumer rights.
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Now, she leads communications for a public safety department and helps clients find their voice through her company, bChill Communications. Caitlin is a proud Village ambassador and Girls on the Run Greater CT board member.
Thank You to Our Sponsors
Presenting Sponsor
Gold Sponsor
Young Woman of the Year Sponsor
Silver Sponsors
Carrie & Chris Casciani
Beth & Rick Costello
Carle Mowell
Entertainment Sponsor
Bronze Sponsors
Bank of America, CohnReznick LLP, Day Pitney LLP, Ernst & Young, Eversource, Franklin Trust Federal Credit Union, Hartford HealthCare, George Jepsen & Associates, KeyBank, Max Cares Foundation, Morris Group, Robinson+Cole, Rossmore Private Capital
Patron Sponsors
Burden Media, CLA, Community Renewal Team, Friar Architecture, Gravelle Family Fund, Hartford Yard Goats, HORST Engineering, Janice & David Klein, Kozak & Salina, Barry Lastra, Rosemary Lombardo, Patricia Marealle, Christopher McCarron, Elaine Montgomery-Baisden, Janet Porriello, Michael Zurcher
A History of Serving Young Women & Girls
Founded in 1809, The Village has a long history of helping young women and girls who need guidance and support to become resilient, confident and independent, and those who have experienced abuse and neglect to heal. Proceeds from the event support early intervention, educational and empowerment programs for young women, girls and their families, as well as therapeutic, residential and educational support in safe, caring environments. The mission of The Village is to build a community of strong, healthy families who protect and nurture children. We are now pleased to extend our exceptional care to adults by offering mental health counseling and substance abuse treatment.
Woman of the Year
Each year, a woman is honored at the event for her extraordinary service to girls and young women. The Woman of the Year is a volunteer who advocates for at-risk girls and young women, motivates and inspires young women to realize their potential, creates meaningful opportunities for the community to support programs that serve young women and has had a transformative effect on a young woman’s life.
Past Women of the Year
2024
Lhakpa Sherpa
2023
Jessica Zachs
2022
Jennifer Steadman, Ph.D.
2021
Paula S. Gilberto
2020
Racquel Santana
2019
Dr. Estela López
2018
Carrie Firestone
2017
Francine Christiansen
2015
Carle Mowell
2016
Alison Coolbrith
Past Young Women of the Year
2024
Bella Longo
2023
Grace DiTunno
2022
Shaniece Nugent
2021
Saher Ashraf
2019
Phoebe Rotelli
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Girl Within Committee
Chairs: Carrie Casciani and Wanita Thorpe
Members:
Carlene Bush, Arlene Carr, Jeanmarie Cooper, Diane Lipes, Rachel MacDonald, Kathleen Malet, Patricia Marealle, Andrea Oddi, Bonnie Parry, Janet Porriello and Damaris Rivera