Inspirar a las niñas y a las jóvenes a ser seguras, inteligentes y decidias — Inspiring all girls to be strong, smart and bold.

That's the mission of Girls Inc., the Santa Fe nonprofit that, since 1955, has been shattering stereotypes about girls and empowering them to take their destinies into their own hands.

Girls Inc.'s after-school, out-of-school and community-outreach educational programs and workshops have been a fixture in our community for decades, teaching girls about everything from money management to communication skills and human health in a safe, encouraging environment.

Recently, Girls Inc. shuttered its southside outpost, Zona del Sol, and has shifted more of its focus to its downtown Hillside Center while preparing for its largest annual fundraiser, the Girls Inc. Arts and Crafts Show. Now in its 39th year, the juried fair and silent auction on the Santa Fe Plaza and North Lincoln Avenue on Aug. 6 and 7 showcases work by national and local artists.

New this year to the fundraising event is the Girls to Women Alliance Restaurant Week, an informational campaign that includes some of Santa Fe's amazing women chefs and restaurateurs.

The Fork recently sat down with Alexis Brown, who, since 2007, has acted as Girls Inc.'s development and communications director. As we sat down on the patio of a local café, a group of Girls Inc., kids came walking by, hand-in-hand, headed to a museum. "Despite the scary situation with funding and a few downtown merchants' displeasure with us having the fair on the Plaza," Brown said while pointing to the group, "those girls are worth the effort."

Now, let me make this clear: This event isn't about fancy special menus and wines, nor is it necessarily a huge fundraiser, although each restaurant will graciously make a donation to Girls Inc. And considering this wicked economy and Girls Inc.'s financial needs, I certainly wouldn't discourage anyone from passing the hat — or in this case, the plate.

"I don't think many people realize just how many restaurants in Santa Fe are owned or operated by women," Brown said. "I think having these businesses host Girls Inc., and letting us show people what we're about for a few days accomplishes a couple of things. First, it reminds people that both restaurants and Girls Inc., are enmeshed in the community in more ways than just providing food to people or providing services for girls, respectively.

"Second, putting a face to an organization obviously has its benefits, and what better place to mirror girl empowerment and leadership than to expose Girls Inc., and diners to some of this town's amazing female culinary talent? It also reminds people that in this day and age, if a woman's place is in the kitchen, it's now as a creative chef, owner or manager of a professional restaurant kitchen."

From Aug. 2 to 7, a handful of local restaurants with abundant gal power will allow Girls Inc. to use their dining rooms as awareness hubs, giving diners the opportunity to familiarize themselves with the amazing work the nonprofit does, and has done, for Santa Fe.

Girls Inc. still needs volunteers for its arts and crafts fair on the Plaza.

To learn how you can help and to learn more about the organization visit http://girlsincofsantafe.org or call 982-2042.

Contact Rob DeWalt at taste@sfnewmexican.com. or on twitter at twitter.com/sfnmTASTE.

IF YOU GO

Participating restaurants, some of the amazing women behind them, and their dates of participation:

• Aug. 1 — Aztec Street Café & Restaurant (owner Sarah Flori), 317 Aztec St., 820-0025, www.aztecstreetcafe.com. 

• Aug. 2 — Real Food Nation (co-owner and creative director Blythe Timken), 624 & 628 Old Las Vegas Highway, 466- 3886, http://realfoodnation.biz. 

• Aug. 3 — Steaksmith at El Gancho (Roey Vimont, owner/partner), 104 Old Las Vegas Highway, #B, 988-3333, www.santafesteaksmith.com. 

• Aug. 4 — Zia Diner (owner Beth Koch Draiscol), 326 S Guadalupe St., 988-7008, http://ziadiner.com. 

• Aug. 5 — Atomic Grill (owner Brisa Barnes), 103 E. Water St., 820-2866, www.theatomicgrill.com. 

• Aug. 6 — Pasqual's (chef/owner Katherine Kagel), 121 Don Gaspar Ave., 983-9340, http://pasquals.com. 

• Aug. 7 —Tune Up Café (co-owner Charlotte Rivera), 1115 Hickox St., 983-7060.