EforAll Berkshire County Awards Prizes to Fall Cohort

Top row (l-r): Lindsay Neathawk, Outdoor Life Decor/Neathawk Designs , Charlie Nadler & Kiar Holland, Laugh Dealers, Kristen Tool, Heart & Soil, Mary Childs, New England Ceramics, Kate Abbott, By the Way Berkshires, Courtney Gilardi, Daughter of Demeter. Second row: Alex Kacheris, Equine Spirit Horse Tours, Rebecca Childs, Martial Arts Institute of the Berkshires, Liam Gorman, CozQuest, Laurie Rock, Aquatic Roots, Nicole Ferry, Book the Berkshires

• Courtney Gilardi of Pittsfield, Daughter of Demeter: $500 for the Christina Hamilton Award.
• Liam Gorman of Pittsfield, CozQuest: $500
• Kristen Tool of Lanesborough, Heart & Soil: $1,200
• Charlie Nadler & Kiar Holland of North Adams, Laugh Dealers: $1,280
• Lindsay Neathawk of Williamstown, Neathawk Design/Outdoor Life Decor: $2,500
• Laurie Rock of Pittsfield, AST Scuba/Aquatic Roots: $2,500

Girls Inc. Members Get Firsthand Look at Local Government in Pittsfield

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
05:50AM / Monday, October 19, 2026

Evelyn says what she likes about Girls Inc. She was one of three girls who spoke from the podium during the visit. 

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Members of Girls Inc. of the Berkshires visited City Hall, where they learned about local government, civic engagement, and discovered how their voices matter at any age. 

 

Girls Inc., a subsidiary of the Gladys Allen Brigham Community Center, has a holistic curriculum aimed at empowering and inspiring girls to be strong, smart, and bold.

 

Elected and appointed officials recently welcomed the girls, giving them a tour of the municipal building and answering questions they had from election processes, responsibilities and terms of elected officials, to how ward and at-large councilors represent residents. 

 

"I'm really pleased to see how engaged they are and interested in how government works, and their interest in hopefully understanding the impact that local government has on their everyday lives," at-Large City Councilor Alisa Costa said. 

 

The power of the people is stronger than that of an elected official and sometimes people forget that, Mayor Peter Marchetti said, emphasizing the influence residents can have by speaking during public comment periods at government meetings.

 

"It's the power of the people. So, I hope they learn to use their voices wisely," he said.  

 

It's important to encourage you to speak up and be public, rather than taking the "back seat" and being quiet, Marchetti said.