LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Self-confidence in young girls is paramount, and The Earhart Club’s mission is to build that.

“There’s this notion of having a voice, but we don't necessarily nurture it from within. We've tried to sort of manufacture that notion of self-esteem, and it's instead created ego at the expense of self-esteem,” said Angus Williams, who founded the non-profit.

The program aims to build authentic connections and self-confidence to develop a healthy sense of self.

“The idea is to really encourage curiosity, which builds understanding, and that's how we build trust. We all need to have trust with each other, and then that breeds trust in ourselves,” Williams told Spectrum News 1.

The Louisville-based organization hosts a 10-week workshop that meets twice a week. Each session introduces positive female role models to participants. For example, one week they may learn about Amelia Earhart or Harriet Tubman.

“I think, when you start to think about who took the time to understand Harriet Tubman, for example, they [participants] kind of maybe have that reflection of who took the time to understand them, and who's helping them,” said Maizie Clarke. She is one of two volunteers who run the only workshop currently in Kentucky. It’s located at an outpatient psychiatric residential treatment facility in Louisville, called Maryhurst. The young girls are at the facility for intensive treatment for depression, abuse, or other severe trauma, and they voluntarily participate in The Earhart Club.

Maryhurst’s Treatment Director, Leslie Delgado, said a program like The Earhart Club is beneficial.

“I think that they need more female role models. They enjoy it. And that's the focus of the group. They enjoy having people from the community come in and spend time with them,” said Delgado.

Classes are high engagement, with questions asked in a group setting.

“We've really enjoyed getting to know them and knowing that hopefully that they know people in the community are here to support them, and also that, you know, they've learned about women who've overcome things, and that they can overcome things as well,” Clarke said.

The program was in part inspired by William’s own daughter.

“So effectively the legacy of The Earhart Club is that it’s made the world better for my little girl,” Williams explained.

Now over halfway through the program, Delgado said there’s positive feedback.

“I know the girls have given a lot of feedback to their therapists that they enjoy the group,” she said. “It improves relationships with each other, as well.”

Williams said The Earhart Club is currently in over 50 schools in Michigan, St. Louis, Mo., and Florida. His goal is to expand the program to Kentucky schools and youth organizations.