Dear Friends,

While my office window reveals the gray skies of winter, inside it is starting to feel like summer. We are hearing from parents, talking to campers, and putting together new programs that are taking girls leadership to a whole new level.

This month we want to tell you about Sophomore Summer, and the program's guide, Shelby Knox. To do this we invited 2008 alumna extraordinaire, Fiona Lowenstein, to interview Shelby. Fiona's picture is in the header. She is a ninth grader at Hunter College High School in New York. Fiona is a talented musician, songwriter, singer, as well as a member of her school's debate team and an all-around fun, smart and kind person. She is working on creating a website for teenage girls all about politics, women's issues and female activists. I think we may all be working for Fiona some day.

Next month we will give you the low-down on GLI Prep Program, our new, fun program for girls entering sixth grade next year. If you are thinking about applying to any of our summer programs this year I encourage you to act soon as space limited and going fast.

We've been enjoying some great finds recently in the girl world. Make sure to read below about our current favorite sites and resources.

All my best,
Simone Marean
Executive Director
Girls Leadership Institute

Shelby Knox Interviewed by Fiona Lowenstein

Shelby Knox is a twenty-two year old activist who started a campaign for sex-education in her conservative, Texas high school when she was fifteen.  She went against her friends, her pastor, and even her parents to advocate for what she felt was right.  The story of her high school  journey was told in 2005 documentary The Education of Shelby Knox. Now, Shelby resides in New York City, where she works closely with feminist and women's rights activist, Gloria Steinem.  She talked with me about her experience as a young advocate in her community, plans for her GLI workshops, and views on getting girls involved in activism, as well as what's keeping them out of it.

Fiona Lowenstein: Where you always so spunky? Your speaking skills really develop in the movie, and we see you transform into the activist you are now. In the documentary you say, "I'm kind of scary to tangle with."

Shelby Knox: (laughing) I know! I was always a performer and a singer, and that helped, but I never thought of myself as an activist.

FL: When did you make that transition from girl to activist?
SK: When I realized no one was going to use my voice for me. Even after the initial campaign for sex education in my school, I still didn't see myself as an activist.

FL: When do you think that changed?
SK: It was after the movie, when I traveled around hearing other people's stories that I realized I was an activist.

FL: In your opinion, why do so few girls think of themselves as activists?
SK: Girls have a lack of role models. I wanted to run for president at nine or ten, but the women where I'm from don't do things like that.

FL: Your parents play a big part in the documentary, and it seems like they differ from you in their opinion about what you're doing for sex education. What was it like having them as parents while you were doing what you were doing?
SK: I always wished for stage parents, parents who would be ambitious for me.  In my family, I was the first person to go to college. It was a big leap for them and for me. I couldn't have made the jump from girl to activist without older women as role models.  The two women who made the film (Marion Lipshutz and Rose Rosenblatt) did this for me.

FL: Where there any other women who played a major part in your life as a teenager?
SK: I had a government teacher who challenged me more than anyone else.  She was very tough on me in that way, but she made me realize I had to not just be a young activist, I had to be able to articulate what I believed in. I have given speeches that were bad, that I knew were bad, but the crowd cheered for me anyway, because I was so young.  This teacher toughened me up and I started to feel a responsibility toward my cause.

FL: Are you ready for GLI and the crazy games you'll get to play?
SK: I am so excited! I never went to summer camp when I was younger, because they don't really have it where I'm from.

FL: What should we expect from your workshops?
SK: The workshops will focus a lot on skill discovery and development. The first few sessions will be reconnecting, but from there we'll move forward into activism. You'll need to understand what your story is, your community, and how your story can impact that. At the end, the girls should have some idea of what they want to change when they get back to their communities.

FL: What aspects of activism will be talked about in the workshops?
SK: A very important part of activism is publicizing. We'll talk about how to use YouTube and Facebook, so that they can be most effective. I've been thinking a lot about blogging, zines, and other forms of networking and publicizing. Everyone has different ways of using their voice and telling their story.

FL: What's the most important part of being a female activist?
SK: It is important for every single woman to use her voice.

Sophomore Summer Details

This program in only open to alumnae entering grades 9-12 in fall 2009. Participation in this program will allow campers to be eligable for the Junior Expedition program in summer 2010.

If you are looking for the right project to beef up your college application, this is it!
Participants will:

• learn leadership skills
• identify a passion
• engage with the passion and develop a unique way to express it
• make a contribution to their community
• be mentored by a nationally recognized activist

Dates: July 12 - 27, 2009
Location: Miss Hall's School, Pittsfield, MA
Tuition: $2400, financial aid application available online

Space for this program is limited and going fast.

Stuff We Love

Amy Poehler, Meredith Walker and Amy Miles celebrate girls who are changing the world by being themselves in their online show Smart Girls At the Party. Since the show is sponsored by Barbie, the market looks like it is directed to very young girls, but us adults are loving the show too. You can watch the first season online now (8 shows). They are currently casting for season two. Know a smart girl? Get her to apply.

Smart Girls At The Party reminds us of the best parts of being a girl, and having girl friends.

This winter we've been getting to know Joe Kelly, author of Dads and Daughters. His website, thedadman.com, is a great resource of ideas for activities to do with your daughter and ways to get involved in her life. We love being on his mailing list and getting helpful hints for watching the Superbowl or celebrating Valentines Day with your daughter.