Participants from this year’s Girls’ Health and Science Day had some important things to say:
 
One thing I learned today about myself is to be confident in the decisions I have made. –8th grade participant

I learned that we are queens and we matter the most. –6th grade participant

Before I attended Girls’ Health and Science Day, I used to think it was wrong to talk about sex with adults. But now I know that it is perfectly okay to talk to adults you trust about sex. –7th grade participant

You should always believe in yourself no matter what. –8th grade participant

 I know more things about my body, how to defend myself, and about friends. –8th grade participant

I used to think that I should do what my friends thought I should do. But now I know that I can wait until I’m ready. –8th grade participant

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Photo M.E. Perez
Project Exploration’s tenth annual Girls’ Health and Science Day, held on March 25, 2010, brought together 86 Chicago Public School girls in grades 6-10 for a one-day conference on health, bodies, and relationships.

The conference was attended by girls from ACE Technical Charter School, Perspectives Charter School-Calumet Middle School, Perspectives Charter School-Rodney D. Joslin Campus, Reavis Elementary School, Telpochcalli Elementary School, and Young Women’s Leadership Charter School.

This year’s event had an outstanding impact on the girls and adults in attendance: 94% of the girls agreed that Girls’ Health and Science Day provided them with medically accurate information, equipped them with information to make healthy decisions, and created a space that was comfortable and safe. 

Keynote speaker Brenda Matthews of Imani Nia Ministries began the day by reminding the girls that they are queens who should value their bodies and lives. She asked girls to reflect on the derogatory lyrics of some commonly played hip-hop songs and consider how these words affect their individual self-esteem. Each girl then attended five workshops on the topics of sexuality and tolerance, healthy relationships, the female body, sexual health, and self-defense. The student workshops were presented by About Face Theatre, Sisters Empowering Sisters, Project Us, Sisters Talking About Respect (S.T.A.R.), and Thousand Waves Martial Arts and Self-Defense Center.

Girls’ Health and Science Day culminated with a Question and Answer session featuring three professionals from the University of Chicago Medical Center: Ranae Orcutt, a pediatric social worker; Letitia Bennett, a nurse manager in women’s care; and Caryn Reid, a nurse practitioner in women’s care.  The panelists provided accurate and honest responses to the girls’ questions.

In addition to the student workshops, Girls’ Health and Science Day provided a professional development track for 16 adults who work with girls. Eva Ball, prevention education specialist at Rape Victim Advocates, engaged teachers and youth workers in a discussion on the influence of media on adolescent girls’ self-esteem and, in turn, their sexual health and well-being. Vivian Barrett, manager of training and resources at Illinois Caucus for Adolescent Health, then introduced teachers to classroom activities and resources for engaging youth in healthy discussions of sexuality. The Adult Track was facilitated by Jessica Palmert, an independent consultant and artist.
Project Exploration’s Girls’ Health and Science Day and Services for Girls are made possible with the support of numerous individuals, corporations, and foundations.

Thank you to all the enthusiastic students, teachers, workshop facilitators, and volunteers who helped make Girls’ Health and Science Day a huge success!

Visit our blog to see more photos and to learn more about Girls Health and Science Day!

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