Female students from six Dallas ISD schools learned to embrace their “best selves” at a conference at the University of North Texas at Dallas.
Texas Women’s Foundation (TXWF) hosted more than 400 hundred girls, ages 11-16, and their educators and allies, together for a day of empowerment, teaching leadership skills, healthy conflict resolution and fun.
University of North Texas-Dallas President Robert Mong welcomed everyone to the newly dedicated student center in southern Dallas, followed by opening remarks by Stephanie Jeffery, vice president of diversity and inclusion of financial services at Capital One, a sponsor of #BestSelf, who told about her journey as a middle school girl to her current position.
The workshops, led by nationally known speaker-educators, built self-confidence and empowered girls to challenge stereotypes, use their voice, pursue their dreams, mentor one another and help generate positive change for equity in their schools, communities and society. In addition to hearing from the speakers, the students worked in teams to brainstorm solutions to issues such as education and mental health, did assessments of themselves and learned how to be their best selves.
The participating Dallas ISD schools were:
- W.H. Adamson High School Collegiate Academy
- Cary Middle School
- Conrad High School
- Sunset High School Collegiate Academy
- Sam Tasby Middle School
- Young Women’s STEAM Academy at Balch Springs
- Irma Rangel Young Women’s Leadership School, a Young Women’s Preparatory Network school
