Girls Inc. at YWLA March Newsletter

If you could turn back time...

What part of history would you visit? 

These questions were asked to the girls and here are their responses. 

Mariah says, “I would go back in time to stand next to Rosa Parks and fight for my rights”. 

Deisy says, “If I had a time machine, I would go back to the time when there were castles because I would like to meet all of the princesses”. 

Lizbeth would like to travel back in time to the period of the Revolutionary War.  She wants to see what people were fighting about and to learn how women played a role in the war.  Many people don’t know that women were heavily involved in the war. 

Joanna says, “I would like to go back in time to the year 1930 and purchase a large amount of gasoline because it was only 10 cents a gallon”.

Jackie says, “I would go back in time to the 1920’s when Babe Ruth started playing for the Yankees and watch him build a baseball dynasty.”

Other girls mentioned they want to visit a 1950’s ice cream shop while others said they would like to go back in time to retake a test. All of the answers were creative, thought-provoking and insightful.   If you could turn back time, where would you go?

National Scholar, Community She-ro

Each year, the Girls Inc. National organization gives juniors and seniors an opportunity to apply for their national scholarships.  The Scholars Program was created in 1992 when Lucile Miller Wright, a long-time supporter of Girls Incorporated, made a bequest from her estate to fund scholarships expressly for young women members. Since 1993, Girls Inc. has awarded $2.58 million in scholarships to 413 high school women. Multiple scholarships ($2,500 and $15,000) are awarded each year and may be applied to tuition and expenses at any accredited 2- or 4-year college or university. This is a private scholarship, open only to young women who are in the 11th or 12th grade and who are members of a Girls Incorporated affiliate. 

 This year, "Alex" was one of ten girls selected by Girls Inc. National for a $15,000 scholarship.  She was one of twenty-eight who was selected overall.  

“My involvement with Girls Inc. has changed my life, and has made me a better friend, daughter, student and overall human being.  I never expected I would be impacted in this way, but this my truth.”

Alex is a senior at Trimble Technical High School in Fort Worth.  She is in the top 5% of her class, the Student Body President, Deputy Corp Commander for Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC), Vice President of Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA), and a member of the National Honor Society.  She is a 4-year member of the Armed Drill Team which is one of her favorite activities.

 “All of these experiences combined with what I’ve learned with Girls Inc. have given me the confidence and stamina to accomplish my goal of becoming a nurse.”

Alex has been a Girls Inc. member for over two years.  In that time she has participated in several activities and programs.  Most notably, she was a member of the Corporate Camp team who won a trip to New York City this summer for their creation of a product called “Sensor-E earphones” which were designed to enhance the safety of a runner while exercising outdoors.  As the CEO of the business, Alex led her team to develop a detailed business plan.   

“Corporate Camp taught me how to be an effective communicator. I learned that all good leaders are good communicators and a key element in communication is listening.  Girls Inc. has made me a better leader.”

Alex is inspired by her parents who have worked very hard to ensure their children received the best opportunities in life. Alex is grateful for all her parents have done to support her endeavors.  This Fall, Alex will be the first in her family to attend college. 

Alex is also inspired by her Girls Inc. mentors and peers.  She has become familiar with the Girls Inc. Bill of Rights and the one that has impacted her most is “I have the right to take risks, to strive freely and to take pride in success.” 

“I understand why I have been led to discover my dream; because I follow the Girls, Inc. Bill of Rights. By following this belief, I am never afraid to try new things.  New opportunities require courage and fearlessness. I am not timid about expressing my achievements and taking pride in my accomplishments.  Girls Inc. has helped me do this.”

Alex feels it is important that young girls know they are special.  She knows that every girl has the potential to be successful.  She shares this affirmation with the young girls she meets at the Girls Inc. program.  In addition, she tells them that each small goal achieved is a step closer to success.  Alex is constantly working to put herself in the best position for the next step in her life and she encourages the girls around her to do the same.       

“I have had many “ah-ha” moments in my time at Girls Inc.  I am truly grateful for all of them and as I continue to pursue my dreams and get my education, I will always look back and remember these defining moments in my life.  The wisdom I have gained will be shared with others so that the legacy of Girls Inc. may not only live within me, but live vicariously through others.  This is my truth.”

Congratulations, Alex!  We are proud of you and we look forward to celebrating many more successes with you. 

Engineering the Future

For the past eleven years, women engineers have introduced more than one million girls and young women to engineering.  Introduce a Girl to Engineering Day is a national movement that shows girls how creative and collaborative engineering is and how engineers are changing our world.

To celebrate this day, Girls Inc. members from Fort Worth teamed up with engineering students from Texas Christian University.  The students, led by professors Dr. Becky Bittle and Dr. Morgan Kiani, graciously spent their Wednesday evening with 27 Girls Inc. members ranging in age from 7-18.  The event opened with a presentation from Dr. Kiani about the many aspects of engineering, careers in engineering and the education needed to pursue a degree in the field. 

 

The TCU students continued the presentation with a laser light show.  They clearly explained the function of the lasers while amusing the young audience.  After all of the presentations, it was time for the girls to get to work.  The TCU engineering students provided 2 engaging hands on activities for the girls.  Most of the girls chose to make their own lip gloss. 

There were a series of steps involved to make the lip gloss and with the help of the TCU students, the Girls Inc. girls handled the challenge well.  Each girl customized her lip gloss by choosing a color, fragrance, and glitter. 

We would like to extend our gratitude to the TCU students and professors who made this event possible for us.  Thank you for sharing your knowledge with us and for inspiring future engineers to be strong, smart and bold.  To learn more about the TCU School of Science and Engineering please visit their website.