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| Kim Keating of Keating Advisors talks with YWCA CEO Dr. Danielle Moss Lee and daughter at the inaugural Potential to Power Girls Symposium in NYC |
Event ignited social action on issues facing 21st century girls in NYC
NEW YORK, NY – The YWCA of the City of New York hosted nearly two hundred New York City high school girls at John Jay College for the City of New York’s inaugural Potential to Power© Girls Symposium on June 2, 2014. Fifty-five women leaders from diverse backgrounds participated in the event that was designed to amplify girls’ voices among women advocates, begin development of a comprehensive New York City girls agenda and create a network of influential women and organizations to advance policy and opportunities for the next generation of women in school, career and life.
The symposium united intergenerational and multiracial voices to promote understanding and social action on critical issues facing 21st century girls in New York City. Many girls took center stage as they were asked to share their insights about the issues that are prevalent for their generation. At the top of the list were body image perception, gender identity, representation and sexual harassment. The girls also shared their aspirations with influential women across government, business and nonprofit sectors, and these women leaders will now be trusted to carry the girls’ aspirations and critiques into their respective industries. Among the women participating were MSNBC’s Melissa Harris Perry, ‘Orange Is the New Black’ author Piper Kerman, political analyst and television commentator Zerlina Maxwell and Ramya Ramana, 2014 NYC Youth Poet Laureate who recited “Phenomenal Woman” in memory of Maya Angelou.
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| Orange Is the New Black author Piper Kerman talks to high school students during roundtable discussions. |
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| Dr. Danielle Moss Lee and Melissa Harris Perry |
“We asked girls and organizations that work with girls to step boldly into ‘now.’ Potential speaks to who they might become - it is a possibility, not a guarantee,” said Danielle Moss Lee, CEO of the YWCA of New York City. “Power speaks to who these girls are now, in this moment, as they boldly and unapologetically bring their full selves to school, their communities, and the world. We made it clear to girls in New York City, you are valid now, you matter now, and you have power now - in essence, you are power… not potential.”
Potential to Power was a day of inspiration and empowerment, during which the YWCA of the City of New York honored existing gender equity efforts and established a foundation for the ongoing conversation on gender equity in New York City and across the nation. The organization plans to follow up these important conversations with an impact report and a set of policy recommendations for the Deblasio administration.
The YWCA is dedicated to eliminating racism, empowering women and promoting peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all. For more information, please visit www.ywcanyc.org.
Press release/Photo credits: Kai Bush and Lauren Marsh