Program Teaches Girls to Be Leaders
By TIFFANY S. JONES
With the help of the Johnnetta B. Cole Diversity & Inclusion Institute , nearly 100 girls in the Guilford County Schools now know their power.
The POWERgirls Network program of the institute worked with the school system to create a four-week training pilot program in Northwest and Grimsley high schools.
“These are young ladies identified as high potential,” said Bea Perdue , the president of the institute.
The network includes leadership training, a W eb site and a magazine accessible to girls all over the world. Last Friday, the institute, GCS and sponsors Belk, Food Lion and McDonald’s hosted an awards banquet to congratulate the girls who completed the program.
“Any programs that are grooming girls for professionalism and academic growth, we’re all for them,” said Monica Walker , diversity officer for Guilford County Schools .
Participants had to exhibit strong academics, community and school service.
“They have characteristics of what we see in leaders … and they express interest in embracing the differences of others,” she added.
This pilot program is similar to the summer leadership program.
“It’s much like the training you’d get in a corporation,” Perdue said.
“They do a lot of exercises, hear lectures and participate in discussions,” she added.
In addition to the pilot program and the summer institute, Smith and Page high schools have their own POWERgirls programs.
Page freshman Chandler Bryant said she enjoyed her time in POWERgirls, but there’s one thing she would change about it.
“We should have more get-togethers like this,” she said during the banquet.
Though all of the girls spent April in leadership training, the banquet was the first time they’d all been in the same room together.
“It’s just a wonderful experience,” Chandler said.
“When I was growing up, I was told there are certain emotions you should not feel — one of those is envy,” said former Bennett College for Women president and institute founder, Johnnetta B. Cole .
“Today, I’m feeling such envy and it’s alright that I wish I could be each of these girls.”
For information , visit www.powergirlsmag.com or call 517-2272 .
Contact Tiffany S. Jones at 449-4731, or tiffany.jones@news- record.com
(c) 2008 Greensboro News Record. Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning. All rights Reserved.