This post first appeared on the Marshall Simonds Middle School Blog
Fourteen girls from the Marshall Simonds Middle School attended the Empowering Girls Conference, put on by Middlesex Partnership for Youth, on December 7th 2016. The students had a chance to interact and talk with students from various school districts as well as listen to three local female leaders.
Our Marshall Simonds representatives started the day collaborating on a poster that illustrated the special and unique characteristics of our school, choosing to emphasize our one-on-one iPad program, the Robotics Club, Teen Light, and BEAM as well as several other activities. The girls then listened to opening remarks from District Attorney Marian Ryan. District Attorney Ryan, the only female District Attorney in Massachusetts, talked about breaking the glass ceiling, building resiliency and becoming the leaders of the future.
Smaller breakout sessions allowed our students to work with girls from other districts. The activities focused around making smart choices, and creating campaign posters highlighting their strengths and what makes them good leaders.
The students also heard from guest speakers Megan Costello, Executive Director of the Office of Women’s Advancement for the city of Boston, and Kendra Foley, former Director of the Governor’s Office. and Chief of Staff to the Secretary of Education, and currently a member of the Watertown School Committee. Ms. Costello related her experience overcoming learning disabilities to become an engaged political activist, working on the Obama campaign in 2012. Ms. Foley spoke about her experience as the only girl player on her Pop Warner Football team, as well as playing Division 1 College Field Hockey.
The students had a nice lunch interacting with girls and advisors from other schools. The day ended in the auditorium where the group had a chance to share their dreams and goals for the future and how they would achieve them.
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