Join GENny and Friends for Happy Hour

 

This Valentine's Day, be sure to save a place in your heart for GENny. GENaustin, the Girls Empowerment Network of Austin, invites adults ages 21 and up to attend the "I Dream of GENny" happy hour.  The event will take place at Fado's on Wednesday, February 13th from 5:30-7:30.  Our staff, volunteers, supporters and community members will get a chance to mingle and enjoy live music. Your $10 ($5 volunteers) cover charge includes two Tito's Vodka martinis and appetizers.  So come celebrate with us! 

GENaustin in Daughters Magazine

 

Daughters Magazine, a magaizne created for parents raising daughters, regularly features articles designed to inform and support parents.  In the most recent issue, Christine Carlucci, GENaustin Program Manager, provided parents with helpful hints for talking to their daughters about the dangers of smoking and how to quit.  "Girls are nearly twice as likely as boys to smoke and by high school, a staggering 23% of teens are smoking," quotes Carlucci, making this message to parents all the more pressing.  Among other hints, Carlucci suggests that parents:

 

• Talk to their daughters about why they are attracted to smoking
• Share info about smoking's long-term risks
• If parents smoke, quit smoking
• Support measures that increase daughters' self-esteem

 To view the full article click here:

http://www.genaustin.org/public/content/news/daughters-smoking.pdf

Dove Campaign for Real Beauty Event at UT Center for Women's & Gender Studies

 

On Saturday, February 2nd at Jester Auditorium, the Woodhull Institute and The University of Texas Center for Women's and Gender Studies as part of Dove's Campaign For Real Beauty will be hosting an event called "Defining Beauty."  After finding that only 2% of women described themselves as beautiful in a 2004 global study, Dove initiated this campaign to say goodbye to stick-thin models and hello to women of all shapes, sizes, colors and ages.  Dove's goal is to reach five million women with this message by 2010 and to make this happen, Woodhull has teamed up with the Center for Women's and Gender Studies to host a panel discussion from 11am to 2pm entitled, "Beauty and Self-Esteem in Society: Freeing Ourselves and the Next Generation."  The panel,  featuring international best-selling author Naomi Wolf ("The Beauty Myth," "Misconceptions," "End of America: Letter of Warning to a Young Patriot"), will focus on encouraging women to rethink their definition of beauty and ways to help see themselves in a healthier and more positive light.  The afternoon continues with a sampling of Woodhull programming with self-esteem building modules in leadership, financial literacy, negotiations and op-ed writing.   
 
To register visit www.123signup.com/definingbeautyatUTAustin

clubGEN en Español

 

In response to an increasing demand for programing in Spanish from schools and funders, and after offering our first Girl Talk presentation in Spanish this past November, we are very pleased to announce our first clubGEN in Spanish.  This semester at Webb Middle School, four native Spanish-speaking high school facilitators are excited to be ensuring that clubGEN is a place for every girl.  clubGEN facilitator, Stephanie, explained "I'm honored to lead clubGEN's first Spanish speaking club."  Campus coordinator, Jenny White, commented that "there is a real sense of community within the club and it great to be reaching these girls."  As GENaustin expands, we are hoping to increase the number of Spanish speaking clubs so that more Spanish speaking girls can benefit from clubGEN.

Financial Literacy Training

On January 12, 2008, clubGEN facilitators attended a training on financial literacy topics. Steve Stokes, from the Catholic Charities of Austin, presented an informative workshop on budgeting, credit, and avoiding excessive debt. He warned about dangers of credit card debt, and how to navigate the many offers our facilitators will receive from credit card companies in the next few years. He also explained how to create a solid credit history, enabling them to realize their financial goals and avoid the difficulties that come with a poor credit history. The workshop contained valuable information for our facilitators, many of whom are planning to attend college and live on their own for the first time in the near future.
 
The facilitatators also listened to an inspirational presentation on financing higher education, led by Lora Alaniz, one of clubGEN's new Outreach Specialists. Lora presented valuable information about available scholarships and financial aid.  She reinforced the importance of higher education  while sending a message that it can be accessible to everyone. We are lucky to have Lora's energy, enthusiasm and knowledge at GENaustin!