EDTalks: Creating Pro-Girl Environments

Youth who identify as girls face broad challenges such as sexual harassment, barriers to academic success and unique health disparities, compounded by the intersections of race, sexual orientation, ability, and socioeconomic class. Data shows there is a tremendous need for programming and policies that focus solely on the needs of girls and young women to compensate for the gender stereotypes present in our communities and the gender inequities built into our systems, including the education system. Girls Inc. is a national expert in girls-only and pro-girls programming and inspires all girls to be strong, smart, and bold. In this EDTalk, Louise and Sophie, two youth leaders at Girls Inc. at YWCA Minneapolis, and Elena, Girls Inc. after-school coordinator, talk about what we can all learn about the impacts of gender-specific programming, as well as ways to create pro-girl environments in gendered and co-ed spaces. This EDTalk was recorded in front of a live audience at Icehouse in Minneapolis on March 2, 2020. EDTalks is co-sponsored by AchieveMpls and The Citizens League, with generous support from the Bush Foundation and Comcast. Audio production by https://www.soundspowerful.com. Learn more at www.achievempls.org/edtalks or follow us on Twitter at #EDTalksMN.