Story #108: Lindsay Hyde, Strong Women Strong Girls Founder and President
Lindsay Hyde ‘04 was the visionary behind Strong Women, Strong Girls (SWSG), a nonprofit organization that empowers at-risk girls through mentorship, education, and inspiration. As an undergraduate, Hyde founded SWSG through PBHA. What began as a small initiative in 2000, serving just six college mentors and 30 elementary school girls, has since blossomed into an influential program that now serves hundreds of girls across Boston and Pittsburgh. The core mission of SWSG is simple yet powerful: to build self-esteem and leadership skills in young girls by connecting them with strong female role models, both from history and in their own communities. Through weekly mentoring sessions, college students engage with third-to-fifth grade girls in hands-on activities—from reading biographies of remarkable women to conducting science experiments and journaling about their experiences. In doing so, SWSG fosters a lasting sense of empowerment, both for the girls and for the college mentors who work with them.
“Being part of PBHA was incredibly formative for me. When I was first developing the idea of starting Strong Women, Strong Girls, the staff at PBHA served as mentors, cheerleaders, and champions for me. Whether it was helping me think through a particularly sticky challenge or making a phone call to introduce me to a member of the community, they were absolutely awesome. In addition, my time at PBHA helped me to develop tremendous skills. Perhaps the greatest lesson that I learned from my time there was that at the end of the day, relationships matter the most. This emphasis on building meaningful relationships is core to the work of PBHA and, as a result, has become core to the work of Strong Women, Strong Girls as we have grown and developed.” - Lindsay Hyde
Since its inception, SWSG has grown exponentially, a testament to Hyde’s vision and leadership, reaching more than 175 girls in Boston. Hyde’s work has been widely recognized, earning her accolades such as being named one of Glamour magazine's “Top Ten College Women” in 2003 and receiving the Samuel S. Beard Award for Greatest Public Service by an Individual 35 Years or Under in 2006. These honors reflect the profound impact of SWSG on both the young women it serves and the Harvard community that has sustained it. Although Hyde retired as SWSG’s President in 2011 to pursue schooling further, her legacy is alive in the current Harvard chapter, where PBHA student leaders continue to honor her pioneering work while developing innovative curricula, organizing enriching field trips, and nurturing a new generation of women leaders. Hyde’s story is one of vision, perseverance, and an enduring belief in the power of women lifting up other women—a legacy that will continue to inspire for years to come.
Read more about SWSG here.
