Presentation on Girls, Inc. from "Acting Up - Using Theater & Technology for Social Change," from DePaul's School for New Learning Distance Education Program, Winter 2010.

1. The Future of Girls Inc.
-by-
Kate Oswalt
http://www.youtube.com/watch_private?v=YfJvZfAxKOw&sharing_token=3
zeo_NWZn5BE0PNyuB4jEg

2. a tidbit about us…
Girls Inc. is a national
non-profit organization
dedicated to “inspiring all
girls to be strong, smart
& bold” this is achieved
through specialized
programs and
partnerships to educate
and inspire.
Check it out @ www.girlsinc.org
Logo

3. Girls’ Bill of
Rights
Girls are encouraged
to follow the Girls’
Bill of Rights.
The Rights outline
not only the
objectives of the
organization, but also
act as a reminder of
what girls are capable
of and deserve.

4. Confidence is like a special power, those
who don’t have it, want it, and will do
everything in their power to try to steal it from
those who do have it.
Girls need to learn to focus on their strengths,
be proud of who they are and appreciate their
differences.
They need a strong foundation to help them
take risks and face the challenges of life
gracefully and with pride.
Everyone has the ability to be confident;
My niece Keira and I in Central Park 
they just have to know it, and embrace it.
Confidence is the foundation
Do you have the special
power?

5. I also encourage this organization to partner with a
magazine. Having a column in a magazine such as
Seventeen or Teen Vogue would facilitate spreading our
message in a different form. Every girl is unique and
digests information in different ways. Although we
already have many books, partnering with a magazine
could be a cheaper, easier way to get our message
across.
A magazine editorial makes it a little easier for us to
sneak some great insight and advice to girls who don’t
want the pressure of having the issues of being a girl in
their face. Some girls just want to be off the radar. This
is our opportunity to reach them.
Magazine Editorial
Change is necessary.
When we are spreading the message to girls to
be bold – we have to be bold too. It is
imperative that we keep our image fresh and
modern while remaining strong in our solid
roots.

6. Girls Inc. needs a universal symbol for what we
represent. I would like to propose the symbol of a
feather. To me, a feather represents strength,
grace, soaring and freedom. I believe a feather is
universal and can be a constant reminder for girls of
all ages to stay bold, confident and proud of their
individuality and soar as high as they can.
In an effort such as the (RED) program @ the GAP,
we would sell merchandise bearing this symbol. A
percentage of the proceeds from the sale will go to
Girls Inc.
The idea is to keep our image current. We want girls
to be proud to wear this symbol, while bringing
attention about our organization to a broader
spectrum of people.
Check out the GAP (RED) Program
@http://www.gapinc.com/public/OurBrands/brands_gapred.shtml
The
Symbol (Feather designed based on my idea and created by my colleagues Arturo Arnada & Ron Lent (BBDO
New York)

7. An art program will enable girls to become confident in presenting themselves and
their creativity. Having the experience of expressing and presenting themselves will
help them build the solid foundation necessary for success.
Providing separate courses in painting, theatre, voice, pottery & creative writing – or
– creating an all inclusive week long camp will give girls the opportunity to bond,
embrace their creativity, express themselves and respect others expressions.
Allowing them to try all forms of art will encourage them to try new things, and
possibly find hidden talents, teaching them that taking risks can be a very positive
thing.
Young artists understand that mistakes can help them grow. A girl who is open to
new ideas, is open to trying new things. They will not live stifled by others, rather
they will live fully, expressing themselves and exploring the many facets of
life.
Art Program
An art camp or program would be a positive outlet
that will allow a girl to take risks in healthier ways
than drinking, smoking or drugs, and to help them
find that quintessential “identity. Girls involved in
arts may be more inclined to take those risks through
their creativity.

8. When young women venture to college, they are faced with entirely
different issues. This is the time when they put their Girls Inc. tools to
the test, in a completely independent environment. Creating a program
for older girls would act as reinforcement of what Girls Inc. has
already started.
This is our opportunity to enhance our basic programs, and gear them
towards college students and beyond. For instance, we can expand
our Economic Literacy Program to include topics such as salaries, W2
Forms, Renting/Buying Homes, Stocks, 401K and more. We could
also create a job search program and teach women techniques on
getting jobs – what to expect and how to present their best self. In this
program we could perform mock interviews, “office wear” fashion
shows and have guest speakers from various companies.
We want women to succeed in life and do what they enjoy. Having
this knowledge can only increase the chances for that happening.
Womens
Inc.If women are given the opportunity to become a part of
something such as Womens Inc., they will possess the
knowledge to pass along to their children. They will be
reminded that strength, knowledge and confidence are
qualities that need to be nurtured throughout life.
(We Can Do It!by J. Howard MillerProduced by Westinghousefor the War ProductionCo-Ordinating CommitteeNARA Still Picture
Branch(NWDNS-179-WP-1563)

9. I don’t know when being confident and smart became un-cool; but as I said, it is those who do not have the
confidence, those who are insecure and uncertain, who create such an environment. They are determined to
“steal” others confidence in an attempt to build their own. As adults, we know this behavior has deeper
roots, but trying to get girls to understand this, is not easy. It is my hope that these workshops will encourage
girls to be proud of who they are, be silly, and be honest.
We all need the opportunity be act silly at times. Unfortunately, many girls are growing up far too quickly and have
forgotten the charm of silliness. Therefore, I think it would be valuable to have improvisation workshops as an
element of the Peer Program. During these workshops, there will be improvisation sessions, in which the girls will
take part in theatre improvisation games. These games will encourage the girls to be silly, let go and forget
about judgment, even if just for an hour.
Peer
Program older girls will go into middle schools and
The idea is for
spend about an hour with the girls; and they will hold
sessions that involve everything ranging from the
Girls Bill of Rights and just plain girl talk

10. I have 3 nieces.
It is my hope for them to have that special power.
It is my hope for them to embrace their individuality.
It is my hope for them to be bold, strong and smart.
I will act as a role model.
I will encourage them every step of the way.
Olivia Age 6 Keria Age 5 Ainsley Age 4
Proud to be super smart Proud to be an observer Proud to have a sense of
Proud to be loving Proud to be a sweetheart humor
Proud to be a chatterbox Proud to look like her Proud to be determined
Proud to be confident aunt kate Proud to have big hair
Proud to be confident Proud to be confident