IN BRIEF: Center for P-16 Initiatives hosts Girls Are Leaders Conference

Posted by Jayme Blaschke
University News Service
December 3, 2014

The Center for P-16 Initiatives at Texas State University will host its inaugural Girls Are Leaders (GAL) Conference 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6, in the LBJ Student Center.

The GAL Conference will bring seventh and eighth grade girls from throughout Central Texas to the campus for a half-day of dialogue about issues of self-esteem and the media, leadership development and to explore STEM careers--all aimed to inspire and empower young girls.   

The GAL Conference is being coordinated by Texas State social work undergraduate student Rachel Piotrzkowski, under the direction of her field instructor Liz Castañeda and the Center for P-16 Initiatives.

"It breaks my heart to see young women negatively impacted by the messages of the media and the world in general," Piotrzkowski said. "I am one person willing to stand up for these girls, and to empower them to be future leaders."

The presenters for the conference include representatives from Functional Girl Magazine, GENAustin--a girl’s empowerment group--and the Texas State chapter of Society for Advancement of Hispanics/Chicanos and Native Americans in Science (SACNAS). 

For more information please contact Rachel Piotrzkowski at the Center for P-16 Initiatives (512) 245-8192 or via email at rp1301@txstate.edu.