Daughters Of Esther Inc.
Raising Modern- Day Esthers
Our Story
twenty years of purpose
Where it began
Daughters of Esther was founded in 2007 with a simple $200 budget and an uncommon conviction: that girls facing real hardship deserve more than sympathy — they deserve mentorship, structure, and a sisterhood that walks with them into adulthood.
What started as a commitment to a handful of girls has grown into a twenty-year mentoring legacy — serving 400+ girls, building a 15-member Leadership Council, and growing annual resources , all without losing the intimacy of the original mission.
Today, Daughters of Esther guides young women through leadership development, etiquette and social grace, education, community service, and faith — the same pillars the program was built on, now reaching further than ever.
A Name Rooted in Purpose
Where it began
Every girl carries the ability to lead — she just needs the right environment to discover it. Daughters of Esther exists to walk alongside young girls as they move into their next level of maturity, competence, and confidence, passing on knowledge and tradition the same way it's been passed down to us.
Our program marks the milestones that matter most in a young woman's development — guiding her into healthy, responsible adulthood through training, self-reflection, mentorship, and service.
We address real issues — goal setting, etiquette, career planning, community service — through a biblical lens, weaving spiritual growth into the cultural and social realities our girls actually face. Along the way, we build genuine friendship and sisterhood through shared experiences: trips to the theater, service projects, and time spent simply being together.
The biblical story of Esther is the model at the center of everything we do. Before Esther stepped into the purpose she was called to, she spent a full year preparing — body, mind, and spirit — with the guidance of mentors who believed in her. We do the same for every girl who walks through our doors.
"Esther was given an undertaking that would save an entire people. We are here to raise up modern-day Esthers."
"We remind them that they were prepared for such a time as this."
founder & executive director
Shaina Grant Parker
Since founding Daughters of Esther in 2007, Shaina has guided the organization from a $200 startup into a twenty-year mentoring legacy — without ever losing sight of the girl in front of her.
An ordained minister with a Master of Divinity and a Project Management Professional (PMP) certification, Shaina brings both spiritual grounding and executive leadership to DOE's mission, believing that girls equipped to lead don't just change their own lives — they change their communities.
Called to Lead.