Women’s World Cup fever has taken over our house and I could not be more excited about it! I don’t know about you, but I love this competition. I love watching all of the amazing women from all over the world showcasing their phenomenal skills – the very epitome of strong, smart, and bold.
That being said, I also love what the U.S. Women’s National Team is doing off the field as much as on the field. Twenty-eight players are currently engaged in a legal battle with the U.S. Soccer Federation fighting for equal pay as the women’s team is paid approximately 30% less than the men’s team.
Here at Girls Inc. of the Pacific Northwest, we believe that girls have the right to take risks, to strive freely, and to take pride in success. We also believe that girls have the right to prepare for interesting work and economic independence. This is an integral part of what makes the support of the U.S. Women’s National Team and their efforts both on and off the field such a fit with our organization. Recently, students had the opportunity to create a PSA regarding FOX Sports Supports and the Girls Inc. partnership. Debuting later this month during the World Cup games, we hope you take a minute to watch.
Along those same lines, July 14th is Girls Inc. Day at the Portland Thorns FC game. We have a section reserved, discounted tickets for our Girls Inc. community, and special shirts for those who attend. Purchase tickets at fevo.me/thornsgirlsinc before they sell out. We hope you join us!
Come cheer on our Portland Thorns FC as they battle the Orlando Pride!
Each ticket purchase comes with a special shirt and is in a section reserved just for Girls Inc. Get your tickets today!
BE BOLD!
Have you always wanted to become a Champion For Her? Here is your chance!
We know you have a strong community of people who believe in the Power of Her and want to inspire girls to be strong, smart, and bold. Rappel For Her is a perfect, adventurous opportunity to be bold, and encourage your friends, family, colleagues, and network to champion girls in the Pacific Northwest. Here is what to do:
Raise $1,000 to Champion Her by encouraging your community to inspire girls to be strong, smart, and bold (we’ll provide templates for emails and social media, so don’t worry, you’re not on your own!). For one year, you’ll get all of the benefits of being a Champion For Her Go-To Partner!
RAPPEL!
Want to go further and recruit a team from work or become a sponsor? Want to volunteer?
We are so excited for another season of Eureka! to kick-off July 8th!
This year our Eureka! camps will be taking place across 5 different sites including PCC Cascade, PCC Rock Creek, Mt. Hood Community College, Chemeketa Community College and Portland State University.
Almost 100 girls are enrolled and will be learning from STEM professionals as they engage in STEM activities and our Strong (Healthy), Smart (Education/Academics), Bold (Independent) curriculum.
Our 5th year Eureka! students are placed with internships over the summer to continue their STEM learning.
A special thank you to the following companies for providing such an amazing experience for our girls!
LAM Research | Kaiser Permanente | Cambia Health Solutions | OMSI |
Banfield Pet Hospital | JE Dunn | Works Progress
Also, thank you to our partners providing field trip opportunities this summer:
Do you know a rising 8th grade girl who goes to a Title 1 school, aims to be a first generation college student, and wants to challenge herself to explore STEM for the next 5 years? Tell her to apply for Eureka!
Want to host a field trip, be a guest speaker, or work with our Eureka girls this summer? Sign up to volunteer!
Smart, Strong, Bold & Supported: LGBTQ+ Pride Month
On June 28, 1969, New York police officers invaded Stonewall Inn, a gay club in Greenwich Village, New York. Their invasion sparked a violent riot that served as a catalyst for LGBTQ+ rights movement in New York and America. In honor of Stonewall, June was selected to serve as LGBTQ+ Pride Month. While there has been progress in advancing equal rights and opportunities for the LGBTQ+ community, disparities still exist in ensuring the health and well-being of all, particularly young people.
Today’s young people face alarming rates of bullying, sexual harassment and violence. For LGBTQ+ youth, the rates are disproportionate. Of LGBTQ+ youth, 85 percent report being verbally assaulted, 27 percent report being physically harassed and 34 percent feel unsafe at school due to their gender identity, according to the Williams Institute at UCLA. Three out of five LGBTQ+ students report being sexually harassed. These statistics are startling, especially when you consider that bullying puts youth at an increased risk for depression, suicide, and substance abuse.
At Girls Inc., girls learn to value their whole selves, discover and develop their inherent strengths, and receive the support they need to navigate the challenges they face. We are committed to providing these life-changing experiences to all who identify as girls regardless of their assigned sex at birth, and those who are exploring their gender identity or expression during their time at Girls Inc.
Girls Inc. also works to break down the barriers girls face and address the systemic issues that impede their success. Ensuring LGBTQ+ youth have equal educational opportunities is a policy priority, and we advocate for strong enforcement of Title IX. We also support the Student Non-Discrimination Act (SNDA), which would prohibit discrimination against K-12 public school students based on their actual or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity or their association with someone who is LGBTQ+.
You can also play a role in creating a more just and equitable society for LGBTQ+ youth. Ask questions and educate yourself. Be sure to use correct pronouns and names. Stand up against bullying and harassment when you see it or hear it; that means derogatory comments too. You can also advocate and support inclusive and non-discriminatory policies and practices that protect and support LGBTQ+ youth. Lastly, visit girlstoo.girls.org and take the #GirlsToo Pledge. Together we can ensure all girls, especially those whose identities are marginalized by society, can grow up healthy, educated, and independent.
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