NATCHEZ — Tylon Hurts saw the effects of breast cancer first hand with her grandmother.

That experience made her want to know what could be done to fight breast cancer.

“When someone that close to you realizes they have breast cancer,” Hurts said. “You do a lot of research. You see everything.”

Hurts, 16 of Irving, Texas, was among the nearly 60 guests at the Passionately Pink Gala Saturday.

The nonprofit group Inspiring Young Ladies hosted the gala at the Natchez Museum of African American History and Culture.

Hurts, who has family from Natchez, is one of the core members of the group, which was founded by her mother NaTamasha Hawkins.

IYL is a mentoring group in Irving. Hawkins said the group has had success in Irving, and now she wants to branch out to her hometown of Natchez in 2015.

“Our vision is to reach out to many young girls among the nation and have them be part of what we do,” Hawkins said.

Hawkins said the group’s goal is to provide role models and promote physical and mental health for young women, and the gala is the first step in Natchez.

Pink dresses and ties matched the decorations in the museum as people who witnessed or survived breast cancer shared their experiences.

Pamphlets about detection and methods used for detection were handed out to guests.

“When my mother decided to host this event, we thought it was great,” Hurts said. “The earlier you know, the early you can detect it.”

The mistress of ceremonies was Virginia Robertson, teacher at Natchez High School, and Hawkins’ aunt.

“We are here to commemorate, as well as celebrate cancer survivors,” Robertson said. “As well as pay homage to those individuals who might have had love ones die of cancer.”

Robertson also said her message is also to empower women to take an active role in their own futures and the lives of those around them.

“IYL wants every girl to know that she was born to live an inspiring life and to love and believe in who she was meant to be,” Hawkins said.