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.