Girls For A Change's Posts - GFC Action Network

Summer Institute

2011-05-27T00:30:00.000Z

It’s about that time again… when you suddenly start craving popsicles, shorts make their way out of closets, and the scent of sunblock pervades the air: summer!

By now, most people have made their summer plans, whether they’re going to travel, starting a lemonade stand business, interning in the city, or just relaxing at home! However, if you can, take three days to check out Hardy Girls Healthy Women’s Summer Institute in beautiful Maine.

Hardy Girls Healthy Women is a non-profit whose mission is explained by its name; it promotes health, independence, and social awareness for women. Similar to Girls For A Change in practice, HGHW focuses on helping solve problems in the lives of the girls they help, usually but not limited to self-esteem issues. HGHW also encourages girls to enact social change, just like GFC! GFC has partnered with HGHW in order to further the impact of each and learn from each other.

HGHW’s Summer Institute is an amazing conference full of leadership and communication workshops. Now, I know what you’re thinking. Summer school? I don’t think so. But this isn’t class, these are workshops to teach girls how to achieve social change, deal with common problems and achieve self-confidence (similar to Girls For A Change’s mission!). Workshops deal with issues like bullying, dating, and sexuality. They’ve even included workshops for boys, so all genders are welcome!

You can still relax while there, as well; the conference also features yoga classes, Maine’s famous art museum, and a gorgeous landscape.

Achieve something this summer; learn and grow as a person. Register here for the June 8-10th summer institute, or check out the workshop “Who Am ‘I’?”, which is on June 1st.
On the other hand, if you can’t make it away from your plans for 3 whole days, you can always register here for one (or more!) of the 3 webinars.

Isha Kawatra

GFC Intern

Body Image

2011-04-14T04:30:00.000Z

Nowadays, body image and its relationship with the media has become a major issue among teenage girls (and boys!). And while crises of body image have become more common in society today, there are more and more attempts to combat this issue.

Take, for example, Dove’s Campaign For Real Beauty. Its basic message is to be confident in yourself, no matter how you look. Fostering trust and poise among young girls these days is more important than ever with magazines plastering stick-thin celebrities on their covers every week. Dove’s campaign has consisted of workshops, commercials, and events across the nation. Honestly, it’s refreshing to see normal, average-looking women on TV, isn’t it?

What about Gala Darling, a famous fashion blogger? Her idea is called radical self love. Instead of waiting for validation from someone else, have faith in yourself! Or, in her own words, “I say, it’s time to romance yourself. It’s time for the greatest love affair you will ever know. It’s time for a personal revolution. I say, you deserve to be your own darling! Get enchanted! Bewitch yourself! I say, if not now, when?”

Also, Girls For A Change and U By Kotex has recently started a Love Your Body, Change Your World campaign, which empowers girls to create social change by embracing their bodies. The campaign encourages girls to be comfortable with their bodies by talking about women’s health and acting as leaders.

Lastly, the South Shore Eating Disorder Collaborative in Boston, MA, traveled the city this February for National Eating Disorders Week (Feb 27- March 5) educating girls about their body and how to be healthy. Kristine Alach, a 14 year old in a local school, calculated the actual measurements for a life-size Barbie Doll, the group built it based on those calculations, and dubbed it the “Get Real Barbie.” According to the research, “Get Real Barbie” is 5 feet 9 inches tall. She weighs 110 pounds. Her bust is 39 inches, her waist only 18 inches and her hips are 33 inches. Since the size-three feet on “Get Real Barbie” would be unable to support a woman with these proportions, Barbie would have to walk on all fours.”

What do you think about body image in today’s society? Is it getting better or worse?

Isha

GFC Intern

Japanese Tsunami

2011-04-03T00:30:00.000Z

Hopefully, all of you have heard about the earthquake and tsunami that occurred in Japan a couple weeks ago. And while it may seem like the world is going through enough trouble with the situation in Libya and the economy, take a moment to pray for Japan.

This earthquake was the largest to hit Japan it history, has killed over 8,000, and has affected millions of people not just in Japan, but also in the nearby locations. Hawaii received leftovers of the tsunami, as did coastal California.

The most heart-warming part, however, is how the world is rallying together in support. As with every major natural disaster, millions have pitched in to help by donating or volunteering. Japanese nuclear plant workers have been risking their health and exposing themselves to dangerous amounts of radiation in order to keep the possibility of nuclear fallout from becoming reality.

While the devastation has shocked everyone, amazing miracles and moments of unity have also been occurring. On March 15^th, a 4 month old baby was found amid the rubble, who had miraculously stayed alive for 3 days, and was later returned to her parents.

Elsewhere, elderly men and women have survived harsh conditions for multiple days, later to be found alive by rescue teams just in time.

In America, everything from student clubs at local high schools to the American Red Cross has fundraised for Japanese relief efforts.

What will you do?

Isha

GFC Intern

(Photo Credit: Yomiuri Shimbun / Reuters)

Abortion In The News

2011-03-15T01:44:28.000Z

Abortion has always been a touchy topic—and it’s been tough to deal with on a national political standpoint, but it’s flaring up more controversy than ever lately.

A recent editorial by the New York Times revealed the latest propositions by the House of Representatives regarding the drastic measures to cut spending on vital reproductive healthcare for women.

Republican representatives included cuts in federal funding for programs like Title X, which provides preventative family planning for low-income women, and Planned Parenthood, which comes into contact with 1 in 5 women during their lifetime.

The resolutions also called for rather alarming federal policies: one reinstated the ‘gag rule’, which forbid federal funding of programs involved with abortions, and another allowed funded hospitals to “refuse to terminate a pregnancy even when necessary to save a woman’s life.”

Though is unclear whether the bills will be passed by the House, President Obama’s leadership will determine the extent of the restrictions and budget cuts.

These regulations not only take away rights from women, but also will affect women and their specialized healthcare. You can read about the possibly dangerous and detrimental effects here.

What do you think? Is it okay for reproductive healthcare for women to be affected by the budget cuts? Is abortion too religious of an idea to be debated in the government? What do you think will happen?

Isha

GFC Intern

Invest In Girls

2011-03-03T01:55:47.000Z

Let me paint a picture for you about a young girl. She grows up in poverty, working hard under the hot sun to help provide for her family. When she’s 12 years old, she’s considered a woman, so she is married to a man who is at least twice her age. She drops out of school, and gets pregnant before she’s 18. And then, sadly, she passes away from complications with pregnancy.

Unfortunately, this is the grim reality of millions of girls around the world. And the way to stop this cycle is simple. Education.

Right now, complications from pregnancy is the leading cause of death for girls between the ages of 15 and 19 around the world. Not disease, not genocide, not starvation. Only 1 in 5 girls in sub-Saharan Africa reach secondary school, and 1 in 7 marry before the age of 15.

Investing in the education of girls can lower these numbers drastically; because of the possibilities women have if given the right opportunities. Women reinvest 90% of their income into their family, and are more likely to continue their education, have higher income, and have fewer children with each additional year of primary school.

Now here is your call to action: help. Invest in girls. Invest in education, in building schools and health clinics, in making water and food more accessible.

With social media slowly taking over the world, individuals are more powerful than ever before. We have the power to reach millions of people through a tweet or Facebook post. Learn more about investing in girls in this article in TIME, on girleffect.org, and Girl Up, and start changing the world.

Girls need to be listened to, because they have quiet potentials just waiting to be jumpstarted.

Isha

GFC Intern

(Photo Credit)

Seneca Falls

2011-02-26T21:30:00.000Z

George Santayana once said, “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.” However, many women don’t know their history, especially when it comes to the women’s civil rights movement.

The Seneca Falls Convention in 1848 was one of the most momentous events in women’s history—it is considered the first time women’s suffrage was being actively fought for. Notables like Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Lucretia Mott held discussions about law, women, and most importantly, the right to vote. The convention issued the Declaration of Rights and Sentiments, which demanded all the same rights that men had.

With Women’s History Month, the 100th anniversary of women’s suffrage in California, and International Women’s day on the horizon there has never been a better time to learn about the work of the women who paved the way toward equal rights for women. Start by checking out Seneca Falls, a documentary put together by Louise Vance.

Seneca Falls is a documentary about nine Bay Area teenagers and their journey to Seneca Falls. All nine girls from San Francisco participated in a youth theatre troupe called WOWER Power, and performed a play about the convention and modern women’s rights to raise awareness about this historical occasion. The idea for the play began in a project started when they were in sixth grade by Joan Mankin, a local actor. The documentary traces their journey to present the play at the 150th Anniversary Celebration in Seneca Falls, New York , and in it you can find humor, inspiration, and even some enlightenment. The short film has been recognized by the Marin Women's Hall of Fame and the San Francisco film society for its insight to this important event.

Take a few minutes to watch the trailer, order the DVD online, or check out the social networking site and connect with other women. The Seneca Falls Convention is hardly doled out one or two paragraphs in most history textbooks, even though it played a huge role in giving women a voice.

Have you learned about Seneca Falls before? What’s your opinion of the women’s rights movement? What do you think the significance of history is to us today?

Isha
GFC Intern

Women In Egypt

2011-02-18T02:30:00.000Z

Right now, Egypt is in a revolution that’s making history. And while politics, military, and civil liberties are under the spotlight, women are also emerging with louder and more powerful voices than ever before.

Women have previously participated in revolutions throughout Egyptian history, particularly in the nation's struggle for independence from Britain in 1919. Due to the culturally patriarchal norms, Egyptian women are often confined to the home, and rarely allowed to participate in the public and political spheres, which is why the protests are so significant.

In an article in ‘Public Radio National’ an Egyptian woman tells of the empowerment many women have experienced by being a part of the many protests currently happening throughout Egypt: “There are Christian girls here, there are girls with their hair uncovered. We're all volunteers. We're all Egyptians, whether we're Christians or Muslims, whether we're religious or not, we're all good people. We're all sacrificing for our country." Women are coming together from all levels of social classes, religions, and ideologies to challenge their roles in society by standing up for their rights. These protests are raising hope to the improvement and recognition of women's rights.

What about you? What do you think of the riots in Egypt? Of the involvement of women? We’d love to hear your thoughts!

Isha

Intern at GFC

(Photo Credit)

Valentine's Day!

2011-02-10T23:00:00.000Z

Happy Almost Valentine’s Day, girls! It’s nearly time to break out the boxes of chocolates and candy hearts!

Though today Valentine’s Day has been highly commercialized with greeting cards and chocolate shops, it didn’t always start out that way. The history of the actual Saint Valentine is somewhat cloudy, but the most common myth goes as follows: around 270 AD, the Roman Emperor Claudius II outlawed marriage after deciding that young men made better soldiers than husbands. Saint Valentine, however, continued to sanction marriages in secrecy until he was found out and put to death.

The issue now, however, is whether Valentine’s Day is a fair holiday. Many women sit at home, watching romantic comedies and eating cake, while couples go out for a special date. But should you designate one day to show that you love someone, or should you do so every day? Or is it nice to have a celebration for being in love? Is it fair to those who are single? And has it become just an excuse for the industry to sell roses and candy?

At Girls For A Change, we hope you love yourself regardless of if you have a significant other or not. Take Valentine’s Day as an opportunity to celebrate love, even if you yourself are not in love.

What do you think? Is Valentine’s Day a good holiday? What are your plans?

Isha

GFC Intern

(Photo Credit)

New Year's Resolutions

2010-12-30T20:18:10.000Z

When did we start to resolve to begin each year by making corrections to our lives - righting wrongs from our past, making up for regrets, or changing something significant in our lives? Why this day?

The tradition of the New Year's resolutions originates from Janus, a Roman god. Janus was placed at the beginning of the calendar, and is depicted as having two faces, one face always looking forward and the other looking back. This symbolizes the way that Janus could look back on his past and at the same time be looking forward towards his future. Because of his symbol of resolutions, many Romans began exchanging gifts and asking for forgiveness from each other before each year began. Since then, many different countries and cultures have developed different ways of celebrating the New Year, and traditions to bring good fortune.

For one tradition in Wales, at the stroke of midnight, the back door is opened and then shut to release the old year and lock out all of its bad luck. At the twelfth stroke of the clock, the front door is opened and the New Year is welcomed with all of its luck. The Japanese decorate their homes as a tribute to lucky gods. For one tradition, called kadomatsu, a pine branch symbolizes longevity, a bamboo stalk represents prosperity, and a plum blossom shows nobility.

Girls For A Change stands for empowering girls to make a change in their communities, the world, and themselves. How will you resolve to make a positive change this year?

What will your New Year's resolution be? What are some traditions you have? Let us know your answers to these questions in the comments below!

Megan

GFC Intern

President Obama Signs Repeal of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" Policy

2010-12-23T17:00:00.000Z

Imagine a world where men and women can serve their country, regardless of sexual orientation. For many, this dream has become a reality.

On December 22, 2010, President Barack Obama signed the repeal of a policy known as “Don't Ask, Don't Tell.” This policy kept gay men and lesbians from openly serving in the military – and if their sexual orientation was found out, they could be discharged. As he signed the bill, President Obama emphasized the importance of equal rights for everyone.

"We are a nation that welcomes the service of every patriot ... a nation that believes that all men and women are created equal."

Over 13,500 people have been dismissed from the military under this policy since 1997. Countless others in the military have felt unable to be open, risking their lives for a county that, until now, did not support or recognize them.

"I hope those ... who've been discharged under this discriminatory policy will seek to re-enlist once the repeal is implemented," Obama said.

However, according to Zoe Dunning, a former naval officer who now works with the advocacy group Servicemembers Legal Defense Fund, not all of those who were discharged will try to rejoin the military. She says that, even with the repeal, some people may not be able to “trust the military is going to treat them fairly."

During the signing, President Obama aimed to gain back this trust.

"No longer will tens of thousands of Americans in uniform be asked to live a lie, or look over their shoulder in order to serve the country that they love.”

But a warning still looms over the heads of those currently enrolled in the military: this policy will not immediately go into effect, and LGBT servicemen and women are still vulnerable to the old policy until additional steps are taken to cement the repeal. President Obama assured everyone during the signing that this would be handled as quickly and efficiently as possible.

Critics of the bill say that allowing LGBT personnel to openly serve in the military will dismantle cohesion amongst troops, causing some to leave and discourage others to sign up. However, others argue that this has not been a problem in international militaries (countries like Britain, Israel, Canada, South Africa and Australia) whose members can be open about their sexual orientation. According to a study entitled, Gays in Foreign Militaries 2010: A Global Primer by Nathaniel Frank:

"Many people both inside and outside the military predicted major disruptions. ... Research has uniformly shown that transitions to policies of equal treatment without regard to sexual orientation have been highly successful and have had no negative impact on morale, recruitment, retention, readiness or overall combat effectiveness."

This bill was a big step towards equality in all areas for the LGBT community. It was also an extremely emotional day for activists who have been fighting for this right for 17 years. President Obama himself seemed overcome as he welcomed equality into the military.

"I say to all Americans, gay or straight, who want nothing more than to defend this country in uniform, your country needs you, your country wants you, and we will be honored to welcome you into the ranks of the finest military the world has ever known."

What do you think about the repeal of “Don't Ask, Don't Tell?” Leave your thoughts in the comments below!

By:

Megan Fischer

Girls For A Change Intern

(Photo by Advocate.com)

In Grades 6-12? Try Out For the Young Minds Digital Times Competition!

2010-12-16T20:00:00.000Z

Registration in the 2010-2011 Young Minds Digital Times Competition is now open at www.youngmindsdigitaltimes.com. The Third Annual Competition presented by KidThrive.org and encourages students in grades 6-12, for free, to create short films, documentaries, and public service announcements. Last year we had over 1100 student register, and we are back to do it again.

“The competition is a way to honor the amazing work kids are generating in the digital creative arts,” says Jaclyn Bell, Competition Director, “This is the next wave of digital education; not just knowing the tools, but being able to use them well and manipulate their boundaries to produce something relevant, meaningful, and in our opinion, beautiful. Plus, we have some surprises and further opportunities coming up for students once registration is underway.”

The competition features two tracks: Young Filmmakers “Doing Good” and Young Filmmakers Freeform. In the “Doing Good” Track, students are invited to create public service announcements relating to social issues the public should be informed of, or relating to an organization that works towards social good. In the Freeform Track, students can enter films on any topic into six different categories: documentary, short film, animation, music video, non-moving movie, and comedic creation.

A Grand Prize Winner from each track receives a prize package to attend the 2012 South by Southwest Film Festival in Austin, Texas. First place winners in each category and age division (6-8 grades and 9-12 grades) take home $200 and Judges Choice honorees receive $100. The school with the most student film entries that make it pass the Public Voting Stage will also win $1000.

The chance for the public vote will end March 30th, and the films that make it to the second round will be viewed and critiqued by industry directors, actors, filmmakers and producers.

The competition registration runs from October 4th, 2010 to February 18, 2011, with films due by March, 19, 2011. Films enter a three tiered voting process, beginning with public voting March 22-30, 2011. Winner announcements will be posted May 20, 2011 on the Young Minds Digital Times website.

About KidThirve.org
KidThrive.org, originally founded in 2001, is a 501(c) (3) not-for-profit organization, provides integrated technology based experiences, including youth based events and innovative special projects, motivating kids to succeed in the complicated process of growing up. www.kidthrive.org.

About The Young Minds Digital Times Competition
Created in 2008, The Young Minds Digital Times encourages students internationally to create films and media to educate and entertain. Entries with the most votes from public voting will go on to the professional judging round where professionals in film, TV, music videos and digital media will select the first place winners for each category. Past Grand Prize Winners will also be asked to participate in this level of judging.

If you have any questions, please contact films@youngmindsdigitaltimes.com.

High School Juniors and Seniors - Internship Opportunity!!

2010-12-07T23:30:16.000Z

Since its inception in 2004, the Bank of America Student Leaders Program has recognized more than 1,400 exemplary high school juniors and seniors with a passion for improving their communities. The program’s goal is to cultivate and develop the next generation of community leaders through two components:

· An eight-week paid internship in the summer of 2011 with selected nonprofit organizations designed to provide opportunities for the students to develop and apply leadership skills through hands-on work experience, while raising their awareness of community issues addressed by their Nonprofit Host Organization.

· A weeklong all-expense paid Student Leadership Summit in Washington, D.C., in July, 2011. Conducted in partnership with the Close Up Foundation, the Summit introduces students to aspects of civic, nonprofit and business leadership and provides them with knowledge and skills they will use throughout their life to create positive community change.

Here is an electronic version of the 2011_Student_Leader_Flyer.pdf that provides general information about the program and will direct potential applicants to the Bank of America Charitable Foundation website for more information and the online application. Please note the fast approaching application deadline of January 12, 2011for the 2011 Student Leader® program (moved from former February deadline).

"Hey Baby!"

2010-11-19T00:30:00.000Z

From guys driving by in their cars to the typical scene of construction workers on the side of the road, shouting out obscene narratives about how great your clothes would look on their floor - we endure these unwelcome comments daily in some cases. Sometimes, it's not just the commentary, it's touching, groping, and threatening.

When some people think about cat-calling, they think,"What's really the harm in it?" and, “It's flattering.” In fact, it is quite the opposite of being "harmless" for both women and men.

What many people don't realize is that what is considered “harmless” commentary on the street can quickly turn into aggressive, intimidating, and dangerous.

In a survey of 168 girls by The Rogers Park Young Women Action in Chicago about street harassment, 86 percent said that they had been catcalled on the street. Of those who had been harassed, 36 percent suggested that this happened once a day or more, and over half felt as though they could not do anything to stop street harassment.

One anonymous person who took part in a survey by Holly Kearns in 2009 said that being harassed on the street made her feel powerless.

“It’s not really about any one incident, but about the constant, daily wearing away of your sense of safety. Every day I am reminded that we live in a world where women are a commodity because, every day, I am treated like a piece of public property.”

Like with sexual assault, women tend to under-report instances of street harassment because not only do they feel powerless to stop it, they feel that they must have done something to bring it on. And in a culture where we are told we should be flattered by unwelcome commentary, most girls and women don't feel confident in reporting it.

So how can you do something about it?

Campaigns like Hollaback! and StopStreetHarassment.com are empowering women and men everywhere to empower themselves by not only providing a forum to talk about street harassment, but also information on how to combat it.

Have you been harassed walking down the street? What do you do? Do you think it's harmless or something that should be addressed more seriously in our society?

Let us know what you think in the comments below!

Megan Fischer

GFC Intern

“I'm Undocumented”

2010-11-11T21:30:00.000Z

Leslie is a lot like other girls struggling to get through college. She is a history major at the University of California at Los Angeles, has three part-time jobs, and plans to attend grad school after graduation. She is also one of 30 undocumented students in her graduating class.

Unlike many of her classmates, graduation will not bring the promise and possibility of a high-paying career. Instead, her choices will be limited to jobs that don't even require a high school diploma. But Leslie, who came to the U.S. at the age of 7, is working to widen opportunities for people like her. - those who came to America illegally with their families when they were children. As part of her fight, she bravely wears a T-shirt on campus that shouts out the secret that she has kept all of her life - “I'm Undocumented.”

But wearing this shirt, while it makes a brave statement, also has its limits. While Leslie feels a certain level of safety wearing it on campus, if she wore it anywhere else and the wrong people saw it, her life at U.C.L.A. could come to a screeching halt.

In addition to making this statement, Leslie attends rallies as part of an effort to change the lives of undocumented students through the Dream Act. This is a federal bill that was first introduced to Congress in 2001, and would help undocumented students, like Leslie, who came to the U.S. as children to become legal residents. Under this bill, to gain legal residency, immigrants must have been in the U.S. for at least 5 years, have graduated from a U.S. high school or gotten their G.E.D., and will need to finish at least two years of college or military service.

Though supporters of this bill can see the freedoms it could bring to kids who grew up in the U.S., not everyone agrees. Those who oppose this bill argue that the Dream Act will just be another “venue for immigration fraud” and a way for immigrants to enter the U.S. illegally, rewarding illegal behavior and taking financial aid money from legal U.S. residents.

Dream Act advocates have become very daring in how they show their support to get this bill passed by organizing demonstrations, hunger strikes, and “coming out” events. In publicly revealing their undocumented status, they are taking big risks of getting arrested and deported. It is in the face of this fear that students are choosing to take these risks, and have their message be heard by residents who can't understand where they are coming from.

“It’s always, ‘You shouldn’t go here; you shouldn’t go there.’ I can be deported any time a cop stops me for something,” said Yahaira Carrillo, who is 25 and founded the Kansas/Missouri Dream Alliance and has traveled all over the country speaking, lobbying and organizing for the legislation. “If it happened to me for a sit-in, at least I would have had some say in my life.”

As for Leslie, who is graduating from U.C.L.A. this June, she says that graduation won't bring the same joy to her as it will to many other students who will move on to their respective careers. She hopes that attending grad school through a private scholarship will buy time for the bill to pass so she can be legally employed.

Though her choices are still limited, she no longer feels powerless.

What do you think of the Dream Act? Should kids who came to the U.S. illegally before they were old enough to even know what was happening have an equal chance at an education and employment?

Leave your thoughts in the comments section below!

Megan

GFC Intern

Education Nation: How could you make your education better? NBC could award your school $5,000 for your idea!

2010-11-02T17:01:53.000Z

Start brainstorming, talk to your friends, read about what's going on, and share your ideas right here! Tell us about a program you participate in or want to start up that needs funding, a program that will have a big impact on the level of education your school provides. The most innovative, game-changing idea will be awarded $5000.

Deadline: November 14th!

See who wins this December!

See the guidelines here.

Seeking Richmond, VA Youth to Participate in Career Readiness Program-Immediate Openings

2010-11-01T02:17:01.000Z

The William Byrd Community House is a community based nonprofit organization that has been helping families build self-sufficiency for more than 85 years.

Help us reach our goal of preparing 180 youth in Richmond and the surrounding 7 counties to successfully enter the workforce. Youth must be ages 16-21, not presently enrolled in school, and must meet income and other eligibility requirements.

Our FREE Career Readiness Program prepares youth to become productive, socially responsible adults. Career Coaches guide youth as they build the necessary skills to compete and succeed in the workplace. Throughout the year, youth progress through these self-paced stages and earn bonuses for meeting short term goals: Basic Skills Preparation and Leadership Development, Workforce Readiness Training, Paid Internships and Opportunities for Post Secondary Education. On completion of the program, a Career Coach follows along with each youth for an additional year to support further goal attainment.

Our next Application Day is November 2^nd, and then every Tuesday through December 2010.

Call or email to reserve a spot for your youth!

Melissa Jennings, DWCP-ES

Employment and Communications Coordinator

William Byrd Community House

224 South Cherry Street

Richmond, VA 23220

Email: mjennings@wbch.org

Phone: (804) 643-2717

For more information about the William Byrd Community House, visit their site: http://www.wbch.org/

"Transforming lives...building self-sufficiency"

Check out this video of author Daisy Whitney showing her support of GFC!

2010-10-31T18:14:44.000Z

For more on Daisy Whitney and her support of GFC, check out this blog post.

And click here to check learn more about Daisy…

Sexy Photo Shoots: Harmful or Empowering?

2010-10-28T21:30:00.000Z

By now, you may have heard of the GQ photo shoot of Glee stars dressed provocatively, not as their of-age selves, but portraying the sexed up versions of the high school characters they play. If you haven't, it has stirred up quite the controversy.

Some feel that these photos are not as bad as they are made out to be. Glee actress, Dianna Agron, says in her blog that, while she is sorry if the shoot offended anyone, she isn't sorry that she did it.

"I am twenty-four years old. I have been a pretty tame and easy-going girl my whole life. Nobody is perfect, and these photos do not represent who I am,” she said. “ If you are hurt or these photos make you uncomfortable, it was never our intention. And if your eight-year-old has a copy of our GQ cover in hand, again I am sorry. But I would have to ask, how on earth did it get there?”

And maybe Agron is right. She is an adult, and she has every right to claim her sexuality as a woman in a magazine that is definitely not aimed at young girls. But, as a public figure who millions of young girls look up to, are the rules different for her?

According to relationship expert Patrick Wanis, PhD, it is not only harmful to young girls that see these sexualized images, it is harmful to all women.

"Although the actresses are adults, they are dressed as schoolgirls. This promotes and drives the male obsession and desire for younger and younger women,” he explains. “The GQ ‘Glee’ photo shoot also sends the message to women that if you want to be attractive and appealing to men, then you need to be really young - a teenager - and sexual."

According to Gavin McKiernan, the Parents Television Council’s National Grassroots Director, this shoot just perpetuates an overly common and sexist “rite of passage” in Hollywood.

"We have seen this over and over again that youth stars are told they need to become sexy to make the step from young actress to adult leading lady, yet young male actors rarely need to jump through these same hoops,” he says.

As for Glee's young audience, messages that the media sends to young girls can be very damaging to girls' self-esteem, according to the American Psychological Association’s Task Force on the Sexualization of Girls Report .

"Diminishing self esteem arising in early adolescence may make girls particularly vulnerable to cultural messages that promise them popularity, effectiveness, and social acceptance through the right “sexy” look. On the other hand, the drop in self-esteem may be related to how responsive they are to these cultural messages.”

What do you think? Are the sexualized images of women as “sexy school girls” contributing to the pressure that actual young girls feel to be too sexy too soon? Or do adult women have a right to feel empowered and sexy in photo shoots that are not aimed at young girls?

Leave your thoughts in the comments section below!

Internship Opportunity For New Moon Girls Magazine!

2010-10-28T18:30:00.000Z

Want to be an intern at New Moon Girls Magazine?

NewMoon Girls is an online community and magazine where girls create and share poetry, artwork, videos, and more; chat together; and learn. All in a fully moderated, educational environment designed to build self-esteem and positive body image.

Multi-Media Internships: Work with girl and adult editors to foster creative self-expression in girls ages 8+ worldwide. Interns work from home and gain real-world experience in many aspects of our online community and magazine.

Deadline Nov. 1st!

Must be at least 16 to apply!

Click here to fill out our application:

http://www.newmoon.com/form/id=30&hash=f1ca8337f0fcad65986f892cfcccb05d

Bullying: Stop the Cycle

2010-10-21T23:30:00.000Z

Bullying is something that many of us have encountered in our lives, and it used to be that it was just something we had to deal with and “push through.” But what happens when it becomes too much to handle? What do you do when you dread going to school, or just leaving your house, even getting online?

In light of the deaths of several kids recently, there has been an outpouring of resources to help those struggling with being harassed and bullied simply for being who they are. They are trying to send the message that when things get so hard that you don't know how to deal with it anymore, there is hope, and there is help.

Organizations like AThinLine.org are working to help kids and young adults deal with being bullied and harassed, at school and online, by taking control of their lives and empowering themselves not to feed back into the cycle of bullying. AthinLine.org's focus, in particular, is on the prevention and education of cyberbullying and “digital drama.”

“The campaign is built on the understanding that there's a "thin line" between what may begin as a harmless joke and something that could end up having a serious impact on you or someone else,” according to their website.

They tell those who aren't being bullied to take it a step further and support their peers who are. Maybe most importantly, they are trying to impact those who are doing the teasing and harassing and helping them realize the effects that their words can have on others.

Being bullied can make you feel depressed, alone, and different when all you want to do is blend in. You are not alone, and you can take control of your life again. There is hope and resources to help you deal with it!

If you or someone you know is dealing with being bullied, harassed, or teased online or at school, please check out the following resources to find out what you can do about it and how you can help!

Visit:

A Thin Line

To Write Love On Her Arms

Half of Us

Love Is Louder

If you want to talk about it, come join the Hot Topics Book Club Discussion on Please Stop Laughing At Me... by: Jodee Blaco

Former Volunteers, Coaches And Alumnae! GFC Needs Your Help!!!

2010-10-21T21:17:52.000Z

The Girls For A Change "Girl Gala" is a fundraiser taking place Nov. 12th from 5:30-9:30pm at the Garden Court Hotel (520 Cowper) in Palo Alto. Check out www.girlgala.eventbrite.com to see the event.

We need former volunteers, alumnae and coaches to help!

You and a GFC girl or alumna would "host" a table of 10 people to take them through a check in question during dinner as well as talk a little about your GFC experience. You would also be a part of a "flash mob" and get to learn a very short very easy dance (to do as a group the night of the event). We’ll be posting this dance video on our Facebook page and will send the link to those will participate. Trust me, its super easy.

Let us know by October 22 if you can help out!

If you can help, you will attend for free and be treated to an amazing dinner and experience in girl power – please help!! If you want to purchase a ticket, or know of folks who might, share the link above and put it on your facebook, twitter, etc. - Let’s go viral on this!!

Applications Now Being Accepted for William Randolph Hearst Endowed Fellowship for Minority Students

2010-10-19T19:06:37.000Z

The Aspen Institute Program on Philanthropy and Social Innovation (PSI) in Washington, DC, offers the William Randolph Hearst Endowed Fellowship three times annually. The fellowship, which is based on academic excellence and need, is open to both undergraduate and graduate students of color. The Hearst Fellow serves as an intern with PSI. Through this fellowship, PSI seeks to introduce a diverse group of students to issues and challenges affecting philanthropy, social enterprise, nonprofit organizations, and other actors in the social sector. Recipients may arrange with their colleges or universities to receive academic credit for this experience.

The Aspen Institute Program on Philanthropy and Social Innovation seeks to inform and maximize the impact of grantmaking foundations, nonprofit organizations, social enterprises, and public-private partnerships through leadership development initiatives, convenings, and communications so that each can contribute to the good society at home and abroad.

Activities:
In his or her internship, the Hearst Fellow undertakes research, writing, logistical, and administrative support for PSI’s leadership initiatives, public programs, and convenings.

Requirements:
Candidates for this fellowship are highly motivated, current, non-graduating graduate or undergraduate students from underrepresented communities of color. Each candidate should have an excellent academic record and also have the following:

1. Demonstrated interest or experience in nonprofit organizations, philanthropy, and the social sector;
2. Excellent research and writing skills;
3. Demonstrated financial need; and
4. U.S. citizenship or U.S. permanent residency.

The student must be able to intern for 12-15 weeks at the Washington, DC, office of the Aspen Institute. Fall and Spring internships will be part-time (15-20 hours per week) and Summer internships will be full-time. All travel and housing costs must be covered by the student.

Fellowship Stipend:
A fellowship grant of approximately $2,000 will be awarded to the Fall and Spring fellows and approximately $4,000 will be awarded to the Summer fellow

Visit the The Aspen Institute Program on Philanthropy and Social Innovation (PSI) to apply!

Calling All Girls in the Standford University Area Who LOVE BASKETBALL!!

2010-10-19T18:54:45.000Z

Stanford University and Stanford Women's Basketball have many youth promotions throughout the season at very reasonable prices (or FREE)! Below are some key dates along with chances to learn from a former Stanford player at a pre-game clinic (for just $10!). Check out the dates!

Kids Promotions

Sat. Nov. 6th @2pm vs. Vanguard- Kids 14U Free admission!
Tues. Nov. 9th @7pm vs. UC-San Diego- Kids 14U Free admission!

"Take a Kid to the Game"
On Saturday, January 8, we invite you to Take A Kid to the Game! Kids 14 and under receive free admission to the game versus Arizona State when accompanied by a paid adult. This offer is available only at the Maples Pavilion box office on game day. The game starts at 2:00 p.m. We'll see you there!

Women's Basketball Skills Clinic

Before select games, join former Cardinal hoopster Morgan Clyburn and her staff for a basketball skills clinic before the Stanford Women's Basketball games. Open to girls in grades 3-8 and boys in grades 3-6, these clinics will help young athletes of all ability levels compete with the best!

Clinics will take place in the Arrillaga Practice Gym (which is connected to Maples Pavilion), and begin an hour and forty five minutes before tip-off. The cost is only $10/participant. Space is limited, so be sure to contact Sarah Boruta at sboruta@stanford.edu (or reply to this email) and register soon!

Here are the dates for upcoming clinics:

Prior to Vanguard game - Satuday, Nov. 6th, 12:15-1:15pm
Prior to Fresno game - Sunday, Dec. 12th, 12:15-1:15pm
Prior to Xavier game - Tuesday, Dec. 28th, 11:15am-12:15pm
Prior to ASU game - Saturday, Jan. 8th, 12:15-1:15pm
Prior to Washington game - Saturday, Feb. 12th, 12:15-1:15pm

Check out this WBB_pre-game_clinics.pdf for more info!

TakePart - featuring ten outstanding female activists portrayed in film!

2010-10-15T18:17:31.000Z

This post entitled, "Hollywood's Ten Greatest Actor-vists," is in anticipation for next week’s “Fair Game”-inspired summit (sponsored by The White House Project and Participant Media, who produced the film starring Naomi Watts and Sean Penn), where Valerie Plame Wilson will be using her story to encourage hundreds of women to serve their country with the dedication and leadership that she has.

On a side note, TakePart’s series “Women Who Rock” highlights five women involved with the social action campaign of the film.
Read the stories here:http://www.takepart.com/news/tag/women-who-rock
And find out about the campaign here:http://www.takepart.com/fairgame

Join GFC at the SPARK Summit Next Friday!!

2010-10-15T17:54:02.000Z

A recent report from the American Psychological Association links the sexualized images of girlhood in the media to depression, eating disorders, and low self-esteem. But together, we can do something about it!

Join the Women’s Media Center and our partners for SPARK Summit next Friday, October 22 at Hunter College in NYC as we kick off a dynamic movement to challenge the sexualization of girls in the media.

SPARK stands for Sexualization Protest: Action, Resistance, Knowledge, and is a day-long summit where both girls and adults will learn the tools to push back on sexualization in the media, while igniting a movement for girls’ rights to healthy sexuality.

Girls and adults are encouraged to REGISTER NOW! If you’re not in NYC, register for our virtual summit to participate!

Workshops and panels will be presented by the Women's Media Center communications team, the women behind Feministing.com, feminist organizer Shelby Knox, writer Jaclyn Friedman, Hardy Girls Healthy Women, Hollaback, New Mexico Media Literacy Project, author and media justice activist Jenn Pozner, filmmaker and author Jean Kilbourne, Academy Award winner, actor Geena Davis and more!

The SPARK Summit is just the beginning of a movement that creates room for whole girls and healthy sexuality, and addresses sexualization in the media. Rather than protecting girls from the problem, we’re engaging them to be part of the solution.

We hope you can join us next Friday as we jumpstart a movement for change.

DEADLINE EXTENDED - NCWIT Computing Award For Bay Area High School Girls

2010-10-15T17:44:50.000Z

For girls in the Bay Area who saw the last blog we posted about this amazing opportunity and couldn't make the deadline, here's your chance to try again!

If you are new the the GFC Action Network and haven't heard of the NCWIT Computing Awards, check it out - there's still time!

Applications process opens September 13, 2010
Applications close October 31, 2010 (midnight)
Parent/guardian/school endorsement due November 7, 2010 (midnight)
Award Reception: January 15, 2011

Award Overview & Purpose
NCWIT, the National Center for Women & Information Technology, is a not-for-profit organization that works to ensure that women are fully represented in the influential worlds of information technology and computing. The NCWIT Award for Aspirations in Computing recognizes young women at the high-school level for their computing-related achievements and interests. By generating visibility for technical young women, theNCWIT Award for Aspirations in Computing encourages continued interest in computing, increases awareness of the gender gap in computing and IT, and emphasizes at a personal level the importance of women's participation in computing.

Bay Area Award NCWIT Bay Area expanded the national award at the local level with 25 winners in June 2010. We are now aligning with the National Award's timeframe. The Bay Area Affiliate is comprised of corporations, non-profit organizations, and higher education institutions, including Anita Borg Institute for Women and Technology, Baskin School of Engineering - UC Santa Cruz, ETR Associates, Google, Microsoft, MOUSE Squad Student Tech, Santa Clara University, San Jose State University, and Techbridge.

Eligible Areas by County
CA - Alameda, CA - Contra Costa, CA - Marin, CA - Monterey, CA - San Benito, CA - San Francisco, CA - San Mateo, CA - Santa Clara, CA - Santa Cruz, CA - Solano, CA - Sonoma

Application Process
http://www.ncwit.org/work.awards.aspiration.find.california.html
Detailed instructions and eligibility information are found online.

Women & Girls 2010 Summit - Dec. 2-4

2010-10-12T19:30:00.000Z

Women

& Girls2010 Summit

December 4, 2010 8:00 AM-4:00 PM

Mexican Heritage Plaza, 1700 Alum Rock Ave., San Jose

Registration Fee: $5 per individual (breakfast and lunch included)

Overview

The Office of Women’s Policy, in partnership with the City of San Jose and community organizations throughout Santa Clara County will be hosting a summit titled “Women and Girls 2010: Thriving in the New Economy” on Dec. 2-4, 2010. Our vision for Silicon Valley is a community environment where women and girls are valued, safe and have opportunities to thrive.

Summit Description

December 2nd-3rd, the Policy Summit will feature speakers and panels focused on the new economy in Silicon Valley. Participants will have the opportunity to visit some promising initiatives in the Valley, learn more about the economic power of women, hear more about the emerging “green economy”, and identify the challenges and opportunities for women’s economic advancement in Silicon Valley in the next decade.

On December 4th, it is day dedicated to girls and young women (ages 12-18) entitled, Leadership Through Creative Expression. This is a day of celebration and elevating the voices of girls and young women into action. Featuring keynote speaker, Favianna Rodriguez, a printmaker, new media artist and online organizer. Rodriguez brings new audiences into the art world by refocusing the cultural lens and dealing with issues such as war, immigration, globalization, and social movements. She co-founded Presente. org, a national online organizing network dedicated to the political empowerment of Latino communities. Throughout the day, girls and young women will learn hands-on art techniques and leadership skills as a tool for civic engagement and social change from local organizers and artists. Workshops will be experiential and/or performancebased focusing on public speaking, writing, storytelling, drama, dance, songwriting, drumming, digital media & design, and other forms of art expression with the theme of supporting the healthy development and well-being of girls.

Worried About Getting Money For College? What If Tuition Was Free?

2010-10-12T18:00:00.000Z

University of the People is a non-profit that is here to offer you just that - a free education. It is the first online education program that aims to give you a quality higher education, without you having to fork over tens of thousands of dollars to do it!

"Education, just like democracy, should be a right, not a privilege,” said Shai Reshef, Founder and President, University of the People. “With a few keystrokes, UoPeople takes the concept of social networking and applies it to academia, providing a global chalkboard for all students.”

University of the People (UoPeople) is the world’s first tuition free online academic institution dedicated to the global advancement and democratization of higher education. The high-quality low-cost global educational model embraces the worldwide presence of the Internet and dropping technology costs to bring university-level studies within reach of millions of people across the world. With the support of respected academics, humanitarians and other visionaries, the UoPeople student body represents a new wave in global education.

Check out their website and take a look at their "About Us" Pamphlet to learn more about University of the People and what they can offer you!

A Big Thank You To Daisy Whitney!!

2010-10-08T03:00:00.000Z

We at GFC would like to extend a big thanks to author Daisy Whitney! She has made a very generous donation of $5,000 to Girls For A Change from her book The Mockingbirds.

Not only is she helping girls everywhere with this courageous young adult novel, she is also helping each and every one of you with her contribution to Girls For A Change.

When her book comes out in November, we will be reading it in the Hot Topics - How Would You Deal? Book Club!

Thanks again, Daisy!

Daisy Whitney is a reporter who has always believed in the power of speaking up. She successfully pressed charges at her university when she was date-raped in college. She lives in San Francisco with her husband and kids. Follow her at www.DaisyWhitney.com.

Themis Academy is a quiet boarding school with an exceptional student body that the administration trusts to always behave in the honorable way – the Themis way. So when Alex spends a drunken night with a male student and awakes to evidence of a sexual encounter she can't remember, she doesn't know where to turn for help. As she slowly comes to terms with the fact that she was date-raped, she enlists the help of the Mockingbirds – a secret society of students dedicated to righting the wrongs of the student body.

In this honest, page-turning account of a teenage girl's search for her voice and the courage to use it, debut author Daisy Whitney reminds readers that standing up for someone, especially yourself, is worth the fight.

In Grades 5-12? If you also do volunteer work in your community, check this out!

2010-09-16T23:43:09.000Z

The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards is the largest youth recognition program in the country based exclusively on volunteer community service. And what better way to recognize young heroes like yourself and inspire others to follow your lead than with such a prestigious award?

If you are from grades 5-12 and have demonstrated outstanding volunteerism over the past year, please complete an online application at http://spirit.prudential.com.

State and national honorees will receive a cash prize, a trip to Washington, D.C., and an engraved medallion to thank them for the great work they have done.