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.”
