Girls of Promise: Overview
Girls of Promise is a proven, 13-year-old initiative that has introduced almost 4,000 eighth-grade girls across Arkansas to information about careers in areas related to economics, sciences, technology, engineering & math (ESTEM) while giving them the opportunity to meet with women professionals for greater understanding of their own potential and power.
Educators from around the state recommend high-achieving girls to attend a particular Girls of Promise conference for a full day of activities focused on the importance of higher education and the pay-off of hard work. Girls meet others like themselves and realize it’s OK to be a bright, motivated girl with big dreams and also meeting and learning from women with amazing careers such as scientists, astronauts, physicians, computer systems engineers, and others.
Dedicated to improving the economic viability of women and girls through focused philanthropic efforts in areas of education.
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Photo by Shane Harrison
Check out facebook.com/GirlsofPromise for more pictures!
Girls of Promise aims to encourage girls at a time in their life when they tend to lose interest in ESTEM education. Eighth grade is a pivotal age when girls begin to internalize negative stereotypes that discourage academic achievement and denigrate those who do not conform to peer expectations and social pressures. During high school, fewer girls than boys enroll in advanced science and math courses. Frequently, those who do express interest in these disciplines are discouraged by teachers, counselors, family or friends who may not view these areas as viable fields of study for girls.
“I will remember the speakers in break-out sessions - hearing from women of diverse career and cultural backgrounds. They are great role models - intelligent, beautiful, and inspiring women. I loved how specific the breakout speakers were about their education & the actual pathway to their careers; personal stories are so powerful. The keynote speaker was amazing! How wonderful this organization is to encourage young girls to pursue careers in [E]STEM.” - Girls of Promise Chaperone
Girls of Promise Future
Women's Foundation of Arkansas first partnered with UALR to host the inaugural Girls of Promise conference in 2000. In 2012 Girls of Promise conferences will be hosted by 8 Campus Partners across Arkansas. In response to the enthusiasm and passion that continues to grow for Girls of Promise, WFA developed the Girls of Promise Tool Kit to assist Local Committees in planning and implementing successful Girls of Promise conferences. New communities interested in hosting Girls of Promise conferences can now apply to do so.
In 2011 WFA piloted a successful 10th grade Alumnae Track, now included in the Girls of Promise schedule. The Alumnae Track consists of a half-day presentation from University officials and community leaders on information necessary to complete a college application, how to access financial aid and scholarship information, and activities to ready oneself for college including a session on proper use of social media.
Assessing Impact
The Women’s Foundation completed an ambitious research project in June, 2010 which culminated in a 36 page Impact Assessment of Girls of Promise from 2000 to 2009. A cadre of volunteers helped conduct the research, inputting data from the first 10 years of Girls of Promise conferences and contacting alumnae to determine the impact of the program on their lives. William Jefferson Clinton School of Public Service graduate Joanna Klak analyzed the data and penned the report. Data showed that the program works - that Girls of Promise does indeed encourage the state's young women to remain in high school and further their studies of ESTEM fields through post-secondary education. Evaluation tools continue to be an integral part of each conference and continued impact samplings are in progress.
Joan Rule Campbell Girls of Promise Endowment
Joan Rule Campbell was co-creator of the Girls of Promise program in 1999 and was one of the program’s most devoted champions. In 2009, the Women’s Foundation created the Joan Rule Campbell Girls of Promise Endowment in her memory, with the interest from the fund to be used in support the Girls of Promise program in perpetuity.
Share Girls of Promise
Girls of Promise One Pager (PDF document).
Trademark & Copyright
Women's Foundation of Arkansas owns the trademark for Girls of Promise and the copyright of the Girls of Promise Tool Kit.
