Queens Gambit Leads Chess Sessions at Boys & Girls Clubs of Western PA’s Empower Her Event
On March 1, 2025, Queens Gambit proudly led interactive chess sessions at the 7th Annual Empower Her event, hosted by Boys & Girls Clubs of Western Pennsylvania (BGCWPA) at the Estelle S. Campbell Clubhouse. Guided by the International Women's Day movement, Empower Her is a one-of-a-kind celebration of reflection, advocacy, and action — designed specifically to help girls ages 7 to 16 embrace who they are, define their futures, and take bold action to change the world.
About Empower Her
Since its launch in 2019, Empower Her has become a transformative event for young girls across the region, offering them a space to explore leadership, build confidence, and learn critical life skills — all in a supportive, uplifting environment. This year’s event was made possible through a powerful collaboration between BGCWPA, Highmark Wholecare, and Eckert Seamans, with an incredible lineup of speakers and activities:
Keynote Speaker: Christina Cassotis, CEO of Allegheny County Airport Authority and Pittsburgh Magazine’s Pittsburgher of the Year
Event Emcee: Brianne (Kelly) O'Rourke, University of Pittsburgh Women's Basketball Analyst
High-energy welcome from the Pitt Spirit Squad and Mascot, plus a dance rotation to kick off the morning
A performance from the Boys & Girls Clubs Cheer and Performance Team
Leadership sessions, wellness workshops, and hands-on learning experiences throughout the day
And, of course, chess!
Queens Gambit’s Role: Empowering Girls Through Chess
As part of the day’s programming, Queens Gambit — led by Founder, President, and CEO Ashley Lynn Priore and youth instructor - Sonia Palit — hosted dynamic chess sessions designed to introduce girls to the power of the chessboard. But this wasn’t your average chess lesson.
At Queens Gambit, we believe chess is more than a game — it’s a tool for leadership, critical thinking, and self-empowerment. During Empower Her, we showed girls how every move they make on the board reflects real-life leadership skills:
Strategic thinking: Seeing the big picture and planning ahead
Confidence: Trusting your instincts and taking bold moves
Resilience: Learning from mistakes and adjusting your strategy
Advocacy: Owning your power and making your voice heard
For many of the girls, this was their first introduction to chess — and seeing them light up as they realized they could not only play but excel at the game was a moment of pure magic.
Why This Matters
The chess world — much like many leadership spaces — has historically been male-dominated. By bringing chess to Empower Her, Queens Gambit is helping to change that narrative. We’re showing young girls that they belong at the table — whether that’s the chessboard, the boardroom, or wherever life takes them.
Empower Her created the perfect platform for this message, blending chess with broader conversations about mental health, healthy relationships, confidence, and leadership. Together with BGCWPA and all the incredible partners and speakers, we’re helping shape a future where girls see themselves as powerful, capable, and ready to lead.
About Boys & Girls Clubs of Western Pennsylvania
For 135 years, Boys & Girls Clubs of Western Pennsylvania has been at the forefront of advancing the potential of youth and teens across the Pittsburgh region. Today, BGCWPA serves over 7,500 youth and families across 18 locations, offering a safe, inclusive space for career preparation, academic success, leadership development, and healthy lifestyles. Programs include preschool, before/afterschool care, summer camp, teen mentoring, STEAM programming, and sports — all centered around the organization’s core values of safety, fun, and inclusion.
A Special Thank You
Queens Gambit is grateful to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Western Pennsylvania for inviting us to be part of this transformative event, and to all the girls who showed up, played with confidence, and discovered their inner queens.
Together, we are building a generation of fearless female leaders — both on and off the chessboard.
