Workshop Aimed at Empowering and Educating Young Girls

An initiative between Duquesne’s Women in Science (WIS@DU) organization and various community partners will bring more than 100 middle school-aged girls to campus for a workshop that will teach them to stand up for themselves and find their voice.

SpeakUP! Empowering Girls+Women will take place on Saturday, April 1, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Mellon Hall. The event is sold out.

“We really hope that this will be an empowering experience for all involved, and it’s so important to reach these girls at this critical age,” said Dr. Allyson O’Donnell, assistant professor of biological sciences and one of the founders of WIS@DU.

The event is presented by The Program for Research and Outreach on Gender Equity in Society (PROGRESS) at Carnegie Mellon University’s Heinz College. The PROGRESS initiative brings workshops to schools, after school programs, camps and audiences in Pittsburgh, Washington, D.C. and Boston, which are focused on girls ages 8 to 13.

The events teach the importance of negotiation and effective skills to help girls gain confidence in their talents and potential, avoid risky behaviors, speak up against bullying and defy limiting expectations imposed by others.

For more information visit http://progressnew.heinz.cmu.edu/