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Empow[HER] Summit 2019

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How might we empower young women to use their voice to create a better world for themselves and others?

In the summer of 2019, an all-girl group of high school students began planning the second annual Empow[HER] Summit in the hopes of helping young women build more confidence in their voice. In talks with peers, the team realized how little conversation is happening around many issues facing girls today because they are seen as uncomfortable or “taboo” topics.

From periods and feminine hygiene products to reproductive health and body image, many girls are used to only discussing these parts of their lives in hushed tones or to close friends or family. The team quickly acknowledged the need to break the stigma around these important pieces of everyday female life and dubbed the theme of their upcoming summit: “Busting Taboos.”

On August 7, 2019, 55 ninth through twelfth grade girls joined the Empow[HER] team for a full-day of inclusive activities designed to open minds and conversations about all things female. As participants arrived, they sat down to decorate coloring pages of famous women who defied stereotypes including Rosa Parks, Sally Ride, and Malala Yousafzai, as well as images celebrating the strength of the female reproductive system. Girls listened and laughed along with local comedian Reese Samuels about her trials and tribulations growing up female and explored body mindfulness practices with Corinne Hathaway. During lunch, participants ate breakfast (waffles can be an anytime food!) and watched the award-winning documentary, “Period. End of Sentence.” about women in India fighting stigma around menstruation. After an open discussion about vaginal and sexual health with a physician assistant student, the girls visited stations geared at redefining the term “ladylike.” The girls showed their strength by practicing defense techniques with Jay Beecham and the Streetwise Self Defense team (back by popular demand from the previous year) and reclaimed stereotypically feminine accessories such as hair bows and jewelry by decorating them in a way authentic to each girl’s unique personality and style. Participants capped off the day by hearing stories from one Empow[HER] team member’s international service trip with Days for Girls and packing period kits for local junior high school students. If younger students found themselves at school without access to period products they could discreetly go to the nurse’s office for free tampons, pads, a change of underwear, a piece of candy, and encouraging notes from Empow[HER] participants. While packing kits, the girls acknowledged how much more comfortable they felt talking about the day’s topics and even starting sharing embarrassing “period stories” with their peers.

Invigorated by this opportunity to build confidence and community, one participant summed up the day in a single sentence: “Girls are so much stronger than any taboo.”

Outcomes:

Participant reflections:

After attending the Empow[HER] Summit, what does empowerment mean to you?

  • “It means accepting me – every part, movement, crease, mark on my skin. It means educating myself about my body and how powerful I am. I respect my body, love my skin and want to empow[HER] more girls to love themselves too.”

  • “It means my voice has substance and nothing should be taboo to talk about.”

  • “Empowerment means gaining and having the courage to speak for yourself, others, or important topics in your world.”

  • “I think it means accepting yourself and being the best you while helping others to do the same.”

  • “It means women don't have to be ashamed of anything or oblige to any "expectations". Each individual is free to live how they choose.”

How did this summit help you grow?

  • “I feel more confident about my health “down there,” and I know how to respect all that I am.”

  • “I feel more comfortable with the way I look compared to other girls and that all emotions are VALID.”

  • “It helps knowing these are things everyone struggles with.”

  • “It was comforting to be surrounded by girls who were similar to me. I feel more comfortable talking about my body.”

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Empow[HER] 2019: Overnighter About You

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How might we empower sixth through eighth grade girls to grow into the women they want to be?

The Empow[HER] team began their next project by focusing on empowering middle school girls as they transition into high school and a new stage of life. After researching the “Wellness Triangle” and how the various aspects of health (social-emotional, mental and physical) work together to help a person thrive, the team visited seventh and eighth grade girls at South Junior High to gain empathy on which particular aspects of life and health are particularly challenging at this age. With these insights, the planning team set out to create a spring sleepover event called “Overnighter About You.”

In Spring 2019, 19 sixth through eighth grade girls congregated at One Stone for a fun-filled and engaging event led by the Empow[HER] team. Activities focused on promoting each part of the “Wellness Triangle” got participants up and moving as well as connecting with girls they normally wouldn’t have the opportunity to get to know. Favorite activities included a game of Capture the Flag in Ann Morrison Park, practicing vulnerability and letting go of fear with a karaoke party, writing down insecurities on paper and tossing them into a ceremonial fire, and painting ceramic pots for succulents planted in soil mixed with the fire’s ashes. The girls had a chance to engage in small group conversations with the high school student mentors as well as ask questions to a certified counselor about all the ways to stay healthy. After a late night and a lot of laughs, the girls departed feeling empowered to have bonded with each other and see that high school might not be as scary as it seems.

Outcomes:

19 participants in the Spring 2019 Overnighter About You

Parent feedback:

“Thank you and all of the others who spent so much time planning and preparing for Empow[HER]. When I asked my daughter if it was fun she said, “YES!  It was too short. I wish it was a whole week!” I love that One Stone wanted to help empower young women! You are all amazing women too!

“I want to pass along a big thank you to everyone at One Stone for doing this. My daughter was all smiles. She loved it and got a lot out of it too.”

Participant reflections:

  • “The Empow[HER] sleepover helped me grow, learn, and meet new people.”

  • “I learned how important it is to keep a balanced lifestyle.”

  • “You are different from others and that is fine. You don’t have to look picture perfect.”

  • “I learned how to be more confident.”

  • “You’re never alone. There’s a lot of people to meet in the world.”

  • “I learned to love myself. The sleepover helped me grow into loving myself for who I am.”

In response to the question, what does “Empow[HER]ment” mean to you, participants reflected:

  • “Being confident and happy with yourself, and growing as a person.”

  • “Making sure that everyone has the power to do what they want in life.”

  • “Being yourself and not letting others control you.”

  • “Lifting people up, not bringing them down.”

  • “Empowerment means being confident in yourself and doing what you want in life.”

  • “To help people believe in themselves, to show others and yourself that you are perfect just as you are.”

Planning team reflections:

“Being able to connect with the girls and see the girls connect with each other and with the topics was truly amazing to see. I loved watching how the girls developed and were able to open up from the moment when they stepped inside the building to when their parents came to pick them up the next morning.” –Rachel Pratt, One Stone member

“The whole experience of being part of Empow[HER] was inspiring for me. I was able to find a sense of empowerment within myself, felt a strong desire to share this with others, and connected with those around me. Empow[HER] fueled me with a desire to go out and continue to empower those around me.” –Chloe French, One Stone member

“Empow[HER] allows me to connect with other young women who are passionate about female empowerment. With this team, I was able to grow as an individual along with watching my peers grow over the year. The event gave me the opportunity to put myself back in the shoes of a junior high girl. I loved being able to spend time with, connect, and see the young girls become comfortable with themselves and the others at the event. It really touched my heart to the impact I had on the girls. Each experience with Empow[HER] makes me more and more excited for the next!” –Kylie Casper, One Stone member

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Empow[HER] Summit 2018

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How might we empower young women to use their voice to create a better world for themselves and others?

Coming off the heels of a successful overnight event in the spring, the Empow[HER] team turned their attention toward creating a full-day summer experience for 7th-12th grade girls to practice using their voice. During their research, the team was shocked by statistics found in The Girls’ Index, a national survey on the lives of young girls conducted by the independent non-profit Ruling Our eXperiences (ROX), including:

  • “The percentage of girls who would describe themselves as confident declines more than 25% throughout the middle school years, from 86% to 60%. Girls reported confidence does not return to pre-middle school levels for the remainder of high school.” 

  • “Most girls say that they like being in charge, but fewer aspire to be leaders because they fear that they will be perceived as bossy.”

  • “By the time girls are in high school, 86% report that most girls are in competition with one another and 41% say they do not trust other girls.”

Unwilling to let these unsettling numbers grow, the team set out to create a relevant and engaging opportunity for young women to join together to gain the skills needed to 1) self-advocate, 2) create change in the world, and 3) support other women. 

On August 8th, 2018, the all-female planning team welcomed over 85 young women from 29 different middle and high schools across the Treasure Valley to the first ever Empow[HER] Summer Summit. After an impromptu dance party, participants began their summit experience by rotating through activity stations including a self-defense lesson with Jay Beecham from Streetwise Self Defense, physically stomping out stereotypes written on balloons, and a teamwork challenge using the board game Mancala facilitated by Laura Meyer from Idaho Department of Transportation. Next, the girls sat down to hear a keynote presentation from 2018 Idaho gubernatorial candidate Paulette Jordan. Girls listened intently as Paulette spoke of her early life and the need for a young girl to have confidence in herself and her dreams. Afterwards, many lined up to meet Paulette, eager to shake her hand and snap a quick picture.

Throughout the afternoon, participants engaged in a “mentorship lunch” with local women who were excited to become a lasting source of support and wisdom for the young women in attendance as well as engaged in a discussion about diversity, inclusion, and intersectionality with local consultant and business-owner Angela Taylor. To cap off the day, girls engaged in an “Action Fair” to explore local organizations where they could get more involved and create change. Over 15 non-profits and businesses were represented including Big Brothers Big Sisters, Wild Hearts Idaho, and Girls on the Run. Overall, the first Empow[HER] Summit was a smashing success, and the team couldn’t wait to begin planning their next big project!

Outcomes:

85+ 7th-12th grade girls from 29 schools across the Treasure Valley 

13+ community organizations represented at the Action Fair including Girl Scouts of Silver Sage, the YMCA, Sisters in Songwriting, the ACLU of Idaho, Planned Parenthood, Streetwise Self Defense, Idaho Women in STEM, Idaho Women in Transportation, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Wild Hearts Idaho, and Girls on the Run.

Participant reflections:

What does empowerment mean to you?

“Empowerment means feeling the confidence that enables one to make a difference.”

“Empowerment allows someone to learn to love themselves and then they can share their gifts.”

“It means I don't have to be scared to be me: a strong, independent woman who knows how important she is.”

“Recognizing your power and making your voice heard”

“Using the power inside me to affect change.”

How did this summit help you grow?

“It helped me believe that all women can do anything.”

“Now I feel heard and like I'm not alone.”

“This event helped me learn how to take charge but still be humble… not to mention some awesome self defense skills!”

“It inspired me to want to be a part of changing the community.”

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Empow[HER]

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How might we help eighth grade girls grow in their self confidence, positive friendships, and self love?

Empow[HER] began from two separate needs. Parents in the Boise community were asking One Stone to help their junior high aged daughters make healthy, loving choices. At the same time, high school aged girls at One Stone’s Project Good programs were reflecting on the challenges they faced during junior high: “If only I had someone telling me I was okay, and helping me navigate the hard stuff – it would have been so much better.” With the need identified and the passion to solve the issue of low self-confidence in eighth grade girls found in abundance, Empow[HER] was off and running! 

During the summer, an all-female group of dedicated high school students met and investigated the phenomenon of low self confidence, self esteem, and negative body image among young women. The team met with counselors, teachers, parents and junior high aged girls to better understand the scope and nuances of the issue, while also engaging in online research. Ultimately, the team decided to hold a fall workshop series leading into a spring overnight event. The three fall workshops would each include a craft (making something), movement (yoga, dance or field games), and a connectivity game that would bond the girls together. One of the most important aspects to help improve self image and self esteem is having positive friendships, and a caring support system, so as the girls created tie dyed t-shirts, they talked about expressing themselves. They also made chapstick and discussed the ways they talk about other women and themselves, and made friendship bracelets for each other during the last workshop. 

In the spring, the Empow[HER] team came together to continue to build on the work from the fall. The student team planned an overnighter for eighth grade girls from around the Boise area filled with self expression, friendship, and empowerment. Participants shared “Life Stories in a Minute” and made road maps of their lives. After a homemade pizza dinner girls broke into small group discussions and talked about everything from how to deal with changes in friend groups to what is the best food to pack for lunch at high school. The evening continued with DIY face masks, discussions of inner and outer beauty, and a craft that each girl could take home: a hand mirror decorated with loving self affirmations. Toss into the mix an emergency dance party and movie night and you have an awesome evening of fun! The next morning participants and the team reflected on the friendships formed, how to keep the girl power alive into the summer and how to continue to grow into the empowered women they want to be.

Outcomes:

  • 12 eighth grade girls attended the fall workshop series

  • 35 eighth grade girls attended the spring overnight event (including all 12 from the fall workshop series)

  • 40 pizzas eaten

From the planning team:

“I loved getting to know the girls that participated!”

From the summit participants:

  • “The activities made me think about how I talk to myself. I wouldn’t talk to a friend like that so why am I talking to myself like that? I want to talk to myself the way I talk to my friends.”

  • “I liked getting to know all the girls here. They’re so nice!”

  • “I thought it was cool the way the high schoolers answered all our questions. They had good advice, and I hope I get to see them again next year at high school.”

  • “This whole experience is good to remind me that girls should take care of each other and have each others’ backs.”

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1151 W. Miller St
Boise, ID 83702
United States
 
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info@onestone.org

 
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