Al Wright/Raintree Studios

Girls from Girls Inc.’s Best Foot Forward program interviewed the awardees ahead of time, wrote the scripts and presented the awards.

Six women and teens were honored at Girls Inc. of the Island City's annual Women Who Dare Awards, celebrating the accomplishments of women making a mark on the world and paving the way for girls who are growing up. Janelle Wang, co-host of ABC-7's daytime talk show, "The View from the Bay," served as mistress of ceremonies.

Misha Gonzalez, a graduating senior from Alameda High School and a former Girls Inc. member, was honored for her volunteer work with the YMCA Youth & Government program. Other youth honorees included Oakland's Leilani Hopson, a senior at Far West High School and a media producer at Youth Radio, and San Francisco's Madeline Ing, a sophomore at Washington High School and a member of the Department on the Status of Women Girls Committee.

Maya Harris, executive director of the ACLU of Northern California, received an award for her advocacy work through the legal system. Cristi Hegranes, president and founder of the Press Institute for Women in the Developing World, was awarded for her work in the media, and Alameda County Board Supervisor Alice Lai-Bitker was recognized for improving her community through the political process.

Young girls from Girls Inc.'s Best Foot Forward program interviewed the awardees ahead of time, wrote the scripts and presented the awards.

"The event was really exciting," said Kaila, 11, who, after four years in Best Foot Forward, said she was very comfortable speaking in front of the audience. "The women were wonderful people who are doing things to better the planet, and they were really inspiring."