By. Kelley Welsh, Communications Coordinator
On November 28th thirty members and supporters of Alliance for Girls met to learn how we can effectively communicate the importance of investing in local girls. Participants including the YWCA, Disability Rights Educational Defense Fund, Soccer Without Borders, and the Sage Project, gathered to discuss campaigns and partnerships to help effectively fund our local girls’ needs. Judy Glenn the Chief Operating Officer of Girls Inc. of Alameda county inspired the group by talking about how her organization has communicated the importance of supporting girls to be strong, smart and bold. Continue reading →
By. Kelley Welsh, Communications Coordinator
Officially, Tuere Anderson, director of Health Services at Oakland’s Youth Radio, would sum up the mission of the organization as this: “Through the highest quality media production, Youth Radio equips the next generation with skills and provides support that lead to jobs and education.” And, to be sure, the youth centered media program does just this. There are four departments filled with journalists, educators, and youth development specialists who help students learn about media, journalism, reporting, and much more, gaining valuable skills that help them in the job market later in life. But Youth Radio is so much more than just this. It is a community center, a health resource, a group of peers and allies, and in some cases, a life saver. Continue reading →
By: Ilyse Liffreing, Social Media Intern
While San Francisco celebrated the Giants’ sweep in the World Series outside the Public Library on Larkin and Grove Street, inside Sojourner Truth Foster Family Service Agency and West Coast Children’s Clinic co-hosted the Research to Action conference, addressing effective service models for commercially sexually exploited minors
In the morning the West Coast Children’s Clinic presented their findings from a two year study of CANS-CSE, about sexually exploited girls, more than half in foster care, and recommendations for prevention and treatment and a policy agenda for ending the practice of trafficking girls in the Bay Area and nationally.
Continue reading →
By. Kelley Welsh, Communications Coordinator
In our culture being a woman is not a very celebrated thing. Women are constantly reminded told to toughen up with “emotional” being used like a four letter word, act more like men in order to get far in the business world, and for the love of all that is good, don’t throw like a girl! Nothing is less valued, talked about, or appreciated than menstruation. It happens monthly but is rarely mentioned. To this day I feel a twinge of embarrassment when I pass a guy in the “feminine products” aisle or come up to a male cash register. Menstruation is anything but mainstream. Continue reading →
By. Kelley Welsh, Communications Coordinator
We’ve all heard people claim, with great sincerity, that sexism is over. That women are now treated the same as men and there’s no more need for feminism. While, to be sure, women have made great strides towards equality in theworkplace and elsewhere, the attorneys over at Equal Rights Advocates in San Francisco and their many clients know all too well how far we still have to go.
Continue reading →
Alliance for Girls members at the breakfast.
By. Kelley Welsh, Communications Coordinator
Yesterday morning, as most Financial District workers were walking to work, coffee in hand, I wasadmiring the beautiful day in an emotional haze. By 9 am I had already done something meaningful with my day. Not too bad for a Wednesday.
Continue reading →
By. Kelley Welsh, Communications Coordinator
At its core, the Alliance for Girls is about community. About uniting those who do similar work. Supporting and strengthening the incredible programs that are out there. Last Thursdays Speed Networking event brought this aspect of the Alliance for Girls front and center. Around twenty five of our amazing member organizations gathered at the San Francisco Public Library to get to know one another. And, more importantly, to figure out how they can come together to help even more girls. Continue reading →
By. Kelley Welsh, Communications Coordinator
“I always wondered why somebody doesn’t do something about that. Then I realized I was somebody.” -Lily Tomlin
While, to be sure, we have made great strides in the half a decade or so since the Civil Rights Movement, we are nowhere near a perfect society. Hate crimes abound. Bullying and discrimination play a part in most young peoples lives. We may have come far but we still have a long way to go. Sojourn to the Past, the nationally acclaimed living history education program, not only understands this but is working hard to change it. Continue reading →
By. Kelley Welsh, Communications Coordinator
“It’s so simple. Such a simple message,” says Connie Sobczak Co-Founder and Executive Director of Berkeley-based The Body Positive. For over 14 years The Body Positive has helped girls and boys of all ages to work past their negative body images and get to a place of self-love and healthy body weights. Connie’s passion for this work comes from seeing young girls torn apart by eating disorders and hatred of their bodies. Connie’s own sister died from an eating disorder. When Connie gave birth to a daughter she knew the cycle of body hatred would have to end if she was to raise a safe, healthy child. In 1996 with Elizabeth Scoot, she founded this one of a kind holistic approach center. Continue reading →
By. Kelley Welsh, Communications Coordinator
“Sports saved my life so many times,” began Elizabeth Labedz describing to me why she thought it was important to start her Grrrl Camp. Having started playing soft pitch softball at the age of eight she knew first hand how much of an impact sports can have on a young girl. Not only the athleticism and the strong role models but the strength of the team community helped her enormously through those tough adolescent years. With this inspiration she was finally able to turn her dream into a reality in recent years launching the camp that works with six to twelve year old under-served girls, mainly of color. “I’ve always been inspired by girls,” she continues, this adds to the strong motivation she had to work more with them. Continue reading →
