Workshop teaches girls to make life-changing decisions

Amy R. Spurgeon

COSTA MESA -- It was a day for girls, about girls and by girls.

More than 100 Orange County youths went to Orange Coast College on

Saturday to learn about life-changing decisions at “Girls: 2000 Choices

and Dreams,” the second annual conference for girls and their mentors.

Planned by the American Association of University Women Orange County

Interbranch Council, and a coalition of local nonprofit groups, the

conference provided opportunities for girls to learn from national

experts about health care, financial independence, alternative careers,

body image and preventing violence, said Lee Winocur Field, the

conference’s chairwoman.

“Studies show that our daughters are largely unprepared to meet the

financial, technological and biological demands of the future,” said

Field. “They must learn about jobs, health care and financial

independence before they become tomorrow’s wives, mothers and employees.”

Girls 9 to 18 met in the morning at the Robert B. Moore Theater

before breaking up into smaller groups in classrooms throughout the

campus to talk about careers and goal-setting, sex, substance abuse,

violence and hate crimes, and body image and self-esteem.

“This event gives the girls a chance to talk about their dreams and

challenges,” said Winifred Strong, chairperson of the American

Association of University Women. “It gives them a safe place to talk.”

During different sessions, peer facilitators encouraged girls to pursue

hobbies as possible career goals. They discussed how the media affects

their self-esteem and taught positive ways to react to aggressive people.

Costa Mesa High School seventh-grader Michelle White sat with her

12-year-old peers at a large, round table. But the diaper-clad bundle she

cradled in her lap made her stand out from the crowd.

The computerized doll was loaned to her through the “Baby Think it

Over” program run by Girls Inc. of Orange County. The nonprofit

organization has been helping girls and women since 1947 to develop

values and skills needed to become confident, productive, responsible

adults. The computerized doll is designed to help young women realize

through scheduled feedings and changings how demanding it can be to care

for an infant. Like real babies, it cries when it doesn’t get what it

wants.

“It’s embarrassing,” said White, her small mouth wired with braces.

“People stop and stare at you.”

The Baby Think It Over program discourages baby-sitting, so White had

to bring the infant with her to the conference. Throughout the day she

was required to feed and change the baby’s diaper, all of which was

recorded by a computer chip inside the doll.

Representatives of the organization, Planned Parenthood, discussed the

issue of teen pregnancy during a session on sexuality. The national

organization believes that it is the right of every individual to have

access to health care information and services that can allow one to take

responsibility for one’s health. Girls who participated in the class

said it was informative. Many of the sessions were conducted by peer

facilitators -- girls their own age.

“They taught us about condoms, getting pap smears and different birth

control methods,” said 16-year-old Silvia Arellano.

Arellano’s classmate, 14-year-old Melissa Martinez said some of the

biggest pressures teens face today are sex and drugs.

“I give the girls credit who taught us things today because they are

our age,” said Martinez.

Both girls wore red Girls Inc. T-shirts that read, “Strong, Smart and

Bold.” They said they would take part in the program next year.

Conference leaders wrapped-up the day with a brainstorming session

with the girls back in the Robert B. Moore Theatre. Together, they

devised ways of dealing with some of the issues discussed at the

conference. Their findings will be submitted to the Orange County Board

of Education and the county Board of Supervisors later this week.

“It is neat for the girls to come together and learn about diversity

and how to deal with issues teen girls are faced with,” said Orleda Roa,

volunteer coordinator and teen facilitator for Girls Inc.