Charles County Public Schools (CCPS) middle and high school students recently visited the United Nations Headquarters in New York City with Stella’s Girls Inc, for the International Day of the Girl – Girl Speak Out Summit – a campaign, that aims to amplify girls' voices and advance their human rights.
Students were invited to represent CCPS in a series of educational activities, workshops and discussions focused on advocating for their rights. They learned how to effectively raise awareness about the gaps in young women’s rights, how to lead advocacy efforts and how to engage with key stakeholders such as UN agencies and their state representatives.
“The International Day of the Girl is a global initiative aimed at addressing the unique challenges faced by girls around the world and promoting their rights,” Founder and CEO of Stella’s Girls D. Kaprece James said. Students who attended gained “critical skills such as leadership, public speaking and civic engagement,” she said.
The event included two-parts – Intergenerational Town Hall and Girl Activists Facilitated Learning Labs. During the town hall the students could interact with policymakers to give their input and recommendations on what girls need today to achieve their rights. The learning labs created a space for the attendees to learn to be effective advocates.
“Going to the International Day of the Girl event gave me a new perspective on what is being done worldwide for girl advocacy,” Gabby Varela, sophomore at North Point High School, said. “I feel like now I can see a change happening for girls all over the world with these people in government siding with us.”
“I had an amazing experience connecting with young girl leaders and learning more about how we can improve for new generations of girls around the world,” Olivia Saint-Pierre, sophomore at Thomas Stone High School, said.
Stella’s Girls is for youth from 8 to 24 years old across Maryland. According to the Stella’s Girls website, its mission is to educate and empower youth to become social change agents in their communities through mentorship, leadership development and advancing the feminist movement.
CCPS students who attended the initiative were:
- Rejoice Duckett, sixth-grade, Mattawoman Middle School.
- Synnove Lewis, sixth-grade, Phoenix International School of Arts (PISOTA).
- Lawren Todd, freshman, North Point.
- Gabriella “Gabby” Varela, sophomore, North Point.
- Jayla White, sophomore, St. Charles High School.
- Darian Butler, freshman, St. Charles.
- Olivia Saint-Pierre, sophomore, Stone.
About CCPS
Charles County Public Schools provides 27,765 students in grades prekindergarten through 12 with an academically challenging education. Located in Southern Maryland, Charles County Public Schools has 38 schools that offer a technologically advanced, progressive and high quality education that builds character, equips for leadership and prepares students for life, careers and higher education.
The Charles County public school system does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age or disability in its programs, activities or employment practices. For inquiries, please contact Dr. Mike Blanchard, Title IX/ADA/Section 504 Coordinator (students) or Nikial M. Majors, Title IX/ADA/Section 504 Coordinator (employees/ adults), at Charles County Public Schools, Jesse L. Starkey Administration Building, P.O. Box 2770, La Plata, MD 20646; 301-932-6610/301-870-3814. For special accommodations call 301-934-7230 or TDD 1-800-735-2258 two weeks prior to the event.
CCPS provides nondiscriminatory equal access to school facilities in accordance with its Use of Facilities rules to designated youth groups (including, but not limited to, the Boy Scouts).