Ten years ago, Miriam Gonzales Durantez dreamed of Inspiring Girls International, but no one said yes. She knocked on door after door, each closed. Critics said the idea was not viable, that the world did not need another charity focused on girls’ aspirations, that it was too ambitious, and that she lacked international reach.
Those rejections hurt and caused doubt, yet they also strengthened her resolve. Each closed door underscored the need to keep girls’ ambitions alive. When traditional funding routes closed, she sought alternative supporters. When skeptics questioned the need for role models, she listened to the girls who insisted they did.
Today, the charity spans 40 countries and has engaged over one million girls online and in person. More than 300,000 girls have met extraordinary female role models through its programmes, creating a movement that has reshaped how girls view themselves and their futures.
Rejections have persisted since the launch, pushing the organisation further. The new campaign, “Thank You for the No,” celebrates how refusals fuel resilience. Gonzales notes that many women, from entrepreneurs to scientists, have faced similar “no’s,” yet they continue to push forward.
Looking ahead, Inspiring Girls International aims to expand its programmes and deepen community impact while continuing to say “yes” to work others urge them to abandon. The charity thanks those who said no early on, acknowledging that refusal has made them unstoppable, and invites readers to share their own stories of turning rejection into resilience.
