Strategies for finding Girl–Nurturing Societies if you can’t make a school
INANNA
Inanna, a Sumerian goddess who, among other things, represents creativity, language development, and financial acumen. There are many all girl settings which address the gifts of this goddess. There are art programs, language courses (one in Los Angeles some years ago combined French cuisine and French language for eleven-year-olds), and a variety of creative activities. Girls Inc. is one of the oldest community organizations serving girls. Its motto is Inspiring all girls to be strong, smart, and bold. It is a nonprofit organization with more than 800,000 girls in its membership and hundreds of centers in the United States and Canada. It has many programs suitable to honoring Inanna's aspects. There are other characteristics of Girls Inc. which appeal: The Girls’ Bill of Rights is a platform offering a framework for girls to remain strong, smart, and bold despite societal pressures to be other; the centers provide caring adults as guides and role models; in some cases, there is financial aid. Like the very best schools, Girls Inc. grows and adapts to societal changes by conducting research on girls’ experiences. Results from the latest Girls Inc. research, The Supergirl Dilemma: Girls Grapple with the Mounting Pressure of Expectations (2006), and program offerings are available on the website.
www.girlsinc.org
Boys and Girls Clubs of America have curricular offerings that are similar to Girls Inc., including SMART Girls, designed for girls ages ten to fifteen. The program focuses on enhancing girls’ skills and self–esteem.
www.bgca.org
Traditional and Untraditional
There is a virtual community of girls on the Internet. GirlSite is the brainchild of former Archer parent Holly Holmberg Brooks and provides a vehicle for girls to explore questions about themselves, share ideas, and seek advice. And make virtual friends, similar to the pen pals of other times.
www.girlsite.org
The traditional path is Girl Scouts, and they do a lot more than sell cookies. Its programs have grown to include international travel opportunities, as well as an extensive online component. Each Council is unique to its community, so check the one in your area to investigate their offerings and ways to be involved.
www.girlscouts.org
World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts focuses on a global perspective, connecting troops from one hundred fortyfour countries.
www.waggsworld.org
Since business skills like budgeting and accounting are important elements of financial security, and since women, more than men, are likely to live long and suffer economic hardship, these skills can be vital. There are excellent programs combating economic ignorance among young, potential female entrepreneurs. An Income of Her Own specializes in finance-related material; its website has a wide range of useful information.
www.anincomeofherown.com
Mentors come from many walks of life and provide guides who are successful women in business, finance, medicine, and other career paths. One of the most successful programs in this area for girls has been the Take Your Daughters to Work campaign, founded by Marie Wilson of the Ms. Foundation.
www.ms.foundation.org
Marie Wilson also created the nonprofit, nonpartisan The White House Project, dedicated to finding and supporting women as political leaders at all levels of government. Giving a feminist slant to the standard business term research and development, the project provides a Girls Leadership Resource List, among other training tools. There are networks seeking successful women who can inspire girls and informal ways to “adopt” role models. Try researching mentoring programs via websites such as Career Launch of the Boys and Girls Club of America for tools and ideas about organizing mentor programs.
www.bgca.org
Another source of possible mentors is the Role Model Project for Girls.
www.womenswork.org
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