Girls Inc. of Metropolitan Dallas kicked off their 2021 Power 2 the Girl Conference on March 11th with girls from DISD’s Young Women’s Steam Academy. The girls heard from guest speakers and participated in activities focused on mental health and self-care. This year’s conference, presented by Toyota, is themed “Power H.E.R (Health, Equity, and Reform)” and will provide girls in 6th-10th grade attending schools in underserved areas of Dallas the social and emotional tools they need to navigate this challenging time. This event, the first of four sessions, focused on Health and was sponsored by Pioneer Natural Resources.
Dr. Stephanie Cole, History and Gender Studies Professor at U.T. – Arlington, spoke about the added pressure and responsibilities the pandemic has placed disproportionately on women and girls. These increased burdens heighten the need for mental health support for young girls.
Dr. Summer Rose, a psychologist at Momentous Institute, urged girls to practice gratitude during stressful times, a habit proven to improve overall wellbeing. She led girls in creating “gratitude wheels” to help shift their thinking during anxiety-inducing seasons.
Ebony Smith, the founder of Yoga N Da Hood and a Girls Inc. alumna, led a guided meditation and yoga session with a message of self-love.
Upcoming events will focus on equity and reform, equipping girls with tools to combat injustice and advocate for equity in their communities and in our society.
Sponsors include Toyota, Norton Rose Fulbright, Allstate Insurance Company, Pioneer Natural Resources, CBRE, Oliver Wyman, o9 Solutions, Boston Consulting Group, Jacobs Engineering, Ernst & Young, Baker Botts, Vizient, D Magazine, TXU Energy, Witherite Law Group, Sidley Austin LLP, and National Security Bank.
For sponsorship opportunities or to have your school invited, please contact [email protected].
