This fall, the girls embarked on a new journey of self-discovery through our Lead From Here: Character In Action program — a Network-wide initiative to help girls develop a sense of who they are and what they stand for. Through the program, girls explored the six character elements: confidence, critical thinking, emotional intelligence, kindness, respect, and self-advocacy.

These six character elements help equip girls with a strong sense of self that will help them as they face the various challenges they’ll encounter as they grow. Whether it be overcoming peer pressure, navigating friendships, or seizing opportunities that appeal to her, grounding herself in these character traits helps prepare her to face whatever lies ahead with resilience, integrity, and agency.

Over the course of several weeks, girls participated in various activities designed to spark curiosity and discussion about how these traits fit into the leaders they want to become. Girls reflected on their own identities and how they related to the six traits by identifying their own strengths and celebrating their “personal power.”

To help them recognize their own inherent strengths, girls were also recognized with a “HER Superpower!” Certificate whenever they were caught exemplifying one of the six traits in the classroom or on the playground.

In addition to teaching the girls explicitly through in-class lessons, facilitators and other staff make a point to model these character elements in any situation that arises on our campus. At Girls Inc., we believe that girls learn more about character by watching trusted adults navigate real situations than from any curriculum they’re taught in our classrooms.

Parents and families also participated in their own weeks-long Lead From Here series, which helped equip parents with the language and tools they need to keep the girls thinking and learning about how to apply these concepts outside of our programs. Character development thrives when the language and ideas go home with the girls! 

This is only the beginning – the fundamentals of character development are woven into everything we do here at Girls Inc., and the discussion doesn’t stop just because the formal program ends. 

Confidence, critical thinking, emotional intelligence, kindness, respect, and self-advocacy aren’t just skills… they’re the foundation of tomorrow’s leaders, innovators, and change-makers – and the very strengths employers, families, friend-groups, and communities need most. 

Thanks to everyone for following along, learning and growing with us, and for being wonderful role models for our girls and in this community. That’s strong, smart, and bold!