Grit & Grace Nation, a nationwide nonprofit that equips girls ages 8 to 18 with leadership skills, is continuing to grow its Indiana chapter through skills-building, mentorships and community service.
The Indiana chapter meets monthly at different locations on the north side of Indianapolis. Chapter members, led by Westfield resident Melissa Asbury, recently made fleece blankets for Noblesville Fire Station 73 to give to children in emergencies.
“In December, we had about 18 or 19 girls make blankets for kiddos and babies and donate them for little ones that get their pajamas cut off due to an emergency,” Asbury said. “We wanted to give them something to give them hope and warmth in those moments.”
The Indiana chapter also recently supported the Shepherd Community Center in downtown Indianapolis by assembling hygiene kits with essentials like soap, toothbrushes and tampons. Each group meeting offers different learning or service opportunities.
“(This month) we are partnering with (Pence Media Group founder) Nicole Pence, and she is doing a branding session for the girls,” Asbury said. “In February, we’ll be partnering with Kayla Sullivan, who is a previous Fox 59 reporter, and helping the girls project their voice.”
Grit & Grace Nation, founded by Emmy-winning journalist and former Fox 59 news anchor Fanchon Stinger, has 16 chapters across the nation. The Indiana chapter has members from Hamilton, Hendricks, Boone and surrounding counties.
Noblesville resident Jayna Wallace, 15, has been involved with the Indiana chapter for four years.
“Initially, I thought it would be a nice thing to do because of the opportunities presented — like meeting a ton of different people and getting to experience a lot of things,” Wallace said. “But it’s also just a really great environment with people who genuinely care about what you have to say and don’t shut down ideas. That’s a rare thing for an organization that deals with kids.”
She encourages other young girls to participate.
“If you want an environment where you feel like you’re going to be heard no matter what you say, and you want a lot of great opportunities to express yourself, no matter what your interests are, I’d say it’s a great environment for young girls,” Wallace said.
Girls who participate also have a chance to win scholarships — $10,000 for middle school students and $10,000 for high school students.
“In order to win the scholarship, you have to put together a video on your accolades, your successes that year, how you’ve been a champion for your community and how you demonstrated grit and grace specifically,” Asbury said.
When they turn 12, they also have a chance to join an online leadership academy led by Stinger and leadership trainer Stacy James.
“They hold Zoom calls on Monday nights for approximately an hour and a half with the girls, and that is all straight leadership,” Asbury said. “They go a lot deeper with the girls in terms of lessons, application and getting to know the girls, so that way they can help further mentor them individually. My daughter is involved in that, and I’ve seen a huge change and confidence boost in her.”
Asbury, who has led the Indiana chapter for two years, said she plans to continue teaching girls about being courageous and navigating hardship.
“Girls are going to go through a situation that’s going to test their character, and that’s the point they have to demonstrate grit and grace,” Asbury said. “That’s what we try to teach at every single one of the lessons. A lot of times, the girls get so comfortable they start opening up about things, and it becomes a thing where other girls are pouring into the girl that’s going through a struggle. Over time, the girls start to develop a sisterhood.”
The participation fee for the local chapter is $75 annually. For more, visit thegritandgracenation.org.
left, and a Grit & Grace Nation participant.
Young Professionals
The most recent addition to Grit & Grace Nation is the Young Professionals group, which launched in October 2025. It is designed for women ages 19-30.
“It’s a great opportunity for anyone beyond college or beyond high school to get involved,” Grit & Grace Nation Indiana Chapter Leader Melissa Asbury said. “There’s girls from all over the country that are involved.”
Young Professionals participants meet virtually on Sunday evenings for mentorship and access to business leaders who equip them to be successful.
“Grit & Grace founder Fanchon Stinger really wants to mentor and lead these girls from a young age to be able to make wise decisions and have wise counsel,” Asbury said. “She’s tied with a lot of amazing people, and because of that, they also will pour into the girls. It creates a lot of healthy, strong bridges to other wonderful women to help young girls move and grow in their careers.”
For more, visit thegritandgracenation.org/young-professionals.
link