Driving Positive Change - Anneka Henry

Girls are powerful. When they’re educated, healthy, and safe, they transform their communities. When girls stand up for girls in need, they empower each other and transform our world. As the United Nations Foundation’s adolescent girl campaign, Girl Up engages girls to take action to support girls in developing countries.  Anneka Henry is passionate about helping women and girls and started a Girl Up chapter at her high school and co-led the first Girl Up summit in Portland, Oregon.

Ms. Henry has continued her focus on supporting the rights of girls as a student at Portland State University (PSU).  Ms. Henry has been involved with Bradley Angle Shelter, an organization that serves anyone affected by domestic violence.  She also has given her time to Vital Voices, which fosters leadership opportunities for women and to the Kids First Project.  The mission of Kids First is to provide safe places and services for children experiencing homelessness.  Kids First offers after-school programs and other support.  Anneka Henry also helped raise funds for Special Olympics by participating in the Polar Plunge.

Ms. Henry is a communications major at Portland State University, and looks forward to continuing to advocate for the rights of girls and women upon graduation.

Anneka Henry – Leader and Advocate

Anneka Henry has held a variety of leadership roles fostering the rights of individuals and creating institutions to better meet their needs.  She was the president and founder of the Girl Up chapter at her high school. Girl Up, an organization supported by the United Nations, works to provide resources to girls in developing countries so they are educated, healthy and safe in their communities.  In addition to establishing her school’s chapter, Ms. Henry coordinated the first Girl Up Summit in Portland, Oregon.





As a student at Southern Oregon University, Anneka Henry held the role of student government secretary, helped coordinate a social justice conference, and lobbied to increase education funding.  She also advocated passage of the Equal Housing Opportunity bill with the Ashland City Council.

Having transferred to Portland State University (PSU) in 2016, Ms. Henry continues her advocacy efforts.  She held a leadership role fundraising for Bradley Angle, a local domestic violence shelter.  She has also participated in the Polar Plunge, a fundraiser for Special Olympics and volunteered with the Kids First Project and Vital Voices, organizations dedicated to fostering leadership opportunities for young women.

The WiSci STEAM Camp

Anneka Henry is a student at Portland State University with a diverse history of volunteerism and community service. In addition to her work with organizations such as the Special Olympics and the Kids First Project, Anneka Henry has lent her support to Girl Up and its annual leadership conference. 

A campaign of the United Nations Foundation, Girl Up is committed to educating and empowering adolescent girls. The organization serves as a driving force behind the WiSci STEAM Camp.

Emphasizing the fundamentals of science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics (STEAM), the WiSci STEAM Camp strives to close academic and professional gender gaps by providing leadership training and access to various educational and mentorship resources. The inaugural 2015 WiSci STEAM Camp took place in Rwanda and drew 90 students from eight African countries. Working alongside partners such as the U.S. Department of State and the AOL Charitable Foundation, Girl Up co-designed over 200 hours of camp programming. Subsequent WiSci STEAM Camps have taken place in Peru and Malawi.

Bradley Angle Raises $220,000 for Domestic Violence Survivors

Anneka Henry is pursuing a degree in theater and dramatic arts at Portland State University. Being interested in social justice, Anneka Henry actively participates in organizations that advocate for women's rights and education, including Bradley Angle. 

Founded in 1975, Bradley Angle is a nonprofit organization that aims to help survivors of domestic and sexual violence by providing them with safety, empowerment, and healing. The Portland, Oregon-based organization offers a number of services and programs, including emergency shelters and services, housing assistance, and support groups.

Last May 22, 2017, 460 guests filled the Nines Hotel in downtown Portland during the Bradley Angle's sold-out fundraising event, GlamHer. A science fiction-inspired ball, Bradley Angle's signature event was headlined by Poison Waters, a drag legend who filled the night with entertaining performances with fellow queens. Most sought-after auction items included a drag makeover by Poison Waters herself and the opportunity to perform at the Darcelle XV Showplace in Super!Drag with the famous performer Darcelle.

The event raised a total of $220,000. The funds collected will benefit different programs that support the survivors of domestic violence, including LGBT support groups and the Healing Roots Program for African-Americans.