Megan Williams, president of 'Hardy Girls Healthy Women' is this year's recipient of the 'Rising Star Award,' given to a Mid-Maine Chamber member under the age of 40 who illustrates business success and community involvement.

Williams is the president of the non-profit organization that serves close to 1,000 teenage and pre-teen girls a year. 'Hardy Girls Healthy Women' teaches young women that they can celebrate their differences through social action and organizes support groups for girls to talk about different issues in schools and hosts conferences with women leaders and role models.

The Colby graduate told the Morning Sentinel, "In the long term, we are connecting girls with women in science, technology and other fields. I think that is an important component of a thriving economic community."

She'll be honored during the the chamber’s 50th annual awards dinner, April 11 at the Waterville Elks Banquet & Conference Center. The award is one of eight being presented this year.

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