In order to have more women ready to run for office in the future, we must begin inspiring girls today. Girls need to understand that they have the strength and capacity for leadership before they reach the teenage years when their bodies' changes and society's pressures begin to erode their sense of efficacy. When more young women learn to use their talents in public action, there will be more women to elect in coming years.
For twelve years the Tucson AWPC Chapter has provided a successful leadership training program for 12 to 13 year old girls. Most of the almost 150 girls who participated are now enthusiastically active in their schools, neighborhoods, and wider communities. It's time train 16 more young women. The training is scheduled for September 10 and 17, 2011. You can help.
Training sessions cost money for materials, refreshments, facility rental and incentive stipends of $50 each. Although we have received grants from time to time, they are not renewable. While we are looking for other funding sources, won't you consider sponsoring a girl? By donating any amount you can support a young woman as she learns about great women of the past and present, how to get others to care about and support issues, how to negotiate and solve conflicts, and how she can make a difference in her school or neighborhood right away.
We are also in need of small grab bag gifts - pens, colorful notebooks, little purses, trinkets of all sorts, anything that glitters. We use them for levity and activity transitions, and they are received with bubbling laughter.
Donations are tax-deductible, as Planned Parenthood serves as the fiscal agent for AWPC GLT. Make your check payable to PPAZ and write AWPC Girl’s Leadership Training on the memo line. Mail to: Girls’ Leadership Training, C/O PPAZ Development Depart., 2255 N. Wyatt Drive, Tucson 85712.