Sara Blakely Sends 1,000 Girls From All Across the Country to Camp Invention This Summer

By Robert White, Editor-In-Chief

Sara Blakely, the visionary inventor and founder of Spanx, is embarking on a transformative mission this summer. In a move that promises to inspire and empower, Blakely is providing full scholarships for 1,000 girls nationwide to attend Camp Invention®, a renowned summer program by the National Inventors Hall of Fame®. Blakely, who revolutionized the undergarment industry with her innovative spirit and $5,000 startup, aims to ignite the same spark in young girls today. "My hope is that this gift will inspire the next generation of female leaders and industry disruptors. Only 13% of primary patent holders are women, and when I started Spanx, that number was even lower… it was only 6.8%," Blakely shared. "We need more products and ideas generated from the feminine perspective. Women have so many gifts to bring into the world… imagine if their full potential could be realized. I’m so excited to partner with the National Inventors Hall of Fame to send young girls to Camp Invention this summer so they too can have the confidence to dream up ideas and solve problems for the world."

Beyond the scholarships, each girl will receive a symbolic "lucky" red backpack. Blakely reminisced, "I started Spanx with my lucky red backpack from college. It was with me every step of the way. The lucky red backpack is a symbol of starting small while dreaming big and that everything you need is right there on your back. It’s even hung on the wall and framed at Spanx HQ as an inspiring symbol."

For over thirty years, Camp Invention has nurtured confidence and problem-solving skills in children through hands-on STEM activities, inspired by inductees of the National Inventors Hall of Fame®. The camp's mission aligns perfectly with Blakely's vision: promoting STEM learning, leadership, perseverance, resourcefulness, and entrepreneurship in an engaging and exciting environment. Michael Oister, CEO of the National Inventors Hall of Fame, expressed gratitude for Blakely’s contribution. "We are appreciative of Sara Blakely’s donation, specifically to support girls’ access to invention education and hands-on STEM activities. Our mission is to provide more underserved children the opportunity to experience our programs, develop their own innovative mindset, and benefit from hands-on, problem-based learning, which will boost their interest and confidence in exploring STEM fields."

Local certified educators facilitate and teach these programs, ensuring a high-quality learning experience. Annually, Camp Invention impacts over 118,000 children and collaborates with 2,500 schools and districts nationwide. Educators and school districts interested in partnering with Camp Invention can find more information at invent.org/camp.

Sara Blakely, founder of Spanx, revolutionized the undergarment industry with just $5,000 and a “lucky” red backpack. With no outside investment, she turned Spanx into a global brand known for its innovative and comfortable solutions. Recognized as one of TIME Magazine’s 100 Most Influential People and featured on the cover of Forbes as the youngest self-made female billionaire, Blakely is a trailblazer for women in business. Through The Sara Blakely Foundation, she has invested millions to elevate women and pledged to donate half her wealth to philanthropy by signing the Giving Pledge.

Camp Invention is the only nationally recognized summer program focused on creativity, innovation, real-world problem solving, and the spirit of invention. It encourages children from kindergarten through sixth grade to explore STEM curriculum inspired by some of the world’s greatest inventors. A program of the National Inventors Hall of Fame, Camp Invention has impacted over 2.6 million children and 309,000 teachers and Leadership Interns since 1990. For more information, visit invent.org/programs/camp-invention.