Page 10 - WRC

Girls Lead
• 14 Girls Lead programs
• 13 schools in Delaware, Chester, and
Montgomery counties
• 233 participants
• 43% increase in participants over last year
Girls Lead is a school-based program started in 1999 by the Women’s Resource Center which aims at helping middle and high school girls with untapped leadership potential, who are nominated by their guidance counselors, develop skills to avoid pitfalls common to adolescent girls and to become strong leaders in their school, community and beyond.
These adolescent challenges include bullying, drug and alcohol abuse, teen pregnancy, school dropout, suicide, abusive relationships and eating disorders.
A WRC study revealed four common protective factors: communication, conflict resolution, decision-making, and problem solving. In addition to learning and practicing these leadership skills, the girls also work collaboratively to initiate and implement a Leadership or Advocacy project, depending on their grade level. Girls Lead then hosts a conference in
the spring where participants from
different schools present their group
projects to each other. This past year,
the Girls Lead conference fortunately
took place just before the pandemic
started.
Girls Lead Outcomes
Girls Lead Director Kristen Burd
"Girls Lead has helped me
grow as a human and as a
leader all while having fun.”
-
- Girls Lead participant
97%
reported improved communication skills
97%
reported improved conflict resolution skills
99%
reported improved problem-solving skills
82%
reported improved decision- making skills
69%
said they would pursue future leadership roles
9 | Women’s Resource Center Annual Report