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.”
