Program Overview

The Rhode Island Office of the Governor and the Rhode Island Department of Human Services developed Girl Power! Day. Under the leadership of Governor Lincoln Almond and his wife, Marilyn, the day was designed to bring attention to the issues and challenges facing girls; to promote healthy, positive lifestyles; and to honor girls' achievements in academics, the arts, and athletics.

The Girl Power! Day steering committee members included:

*The Rhode Island Department of Health

*The Rhode Island Department of Mental Health, Retardation and Hospitals

*The Rhode Island Department of Elderly Affairs

*GirlsRI, a nonprofit organization dedicated to sustaining the growth and recognition of girls and young women in sports

*The Girl Scouts of Rhode Island, Inc.

*The Young Women's Christian Association

*The Lincoln School for Girls

*The Alfred Lima Elementary School

Program Format

Girl Power! Day was held on September 26, 1998, at the Rhode Island Convention Center in Providence. The day opened with a welcome from honorary chairs Governor and Mrs. Almond, followed by a keynote address by Women's National Basketball Association superstar Rebecca Lobo. Girls and their parents and caregivers then had the opportunity to participate in workshops and visit interactive exhibits.

Twenty half-hour workshops were offered on such topics as personal safety, sports and physical fitness, managing money, scouting, and substance abuse prevention. Interactive exhibits offered girls the chance to rebuild computers, work television cameras, perform minor maintenance on automobiles, learn step dancing, practice voting in a real voting booth, and experiment with science projects.

The exhibit area included a "gold medal" table where girls had the opportunity to meet Olympic and U.S. Figure Skating Association gold medalists. Sara DeCosta, a goalie with the U.S.A. Women's Olympic Hockey Team; Betsy Alison, skipper of the Women's World Racing Sailing Team; Holly Metcalf, an Olympic rower; Joan Benoit-Samuelson, an Olympic marathon runner; and Lyndsay Read, 1995 U.S. gold medalist at the National Figure Skating Championships, answered questions, signed autographs, and had their pictures taken with the girls.

Performances were given throughout the day by local youth groups, including the Lincoln School for Girls bell ringers, the St. Mary's Academy Bayview chorale, the South Kingstown High School gymnastics team, and the Warwick Dance and Gymnastics Academy. A consumer show gave local businesses the opportunity to show their support for girls.

The Girl Power! Day was viewed as a priority by both the Office of the Governor and the Rhode Island Department of Human Services. The steering committee achieved sustained support from health, education, and youth organizations throughout the state. The girls and parents who attended considered the day to be a resounding success and the Governor's Office has made it an annual event. Girl Power! Day 1999 was held October 23.

Media Outreach

Girl Power! Day received support from several media outlets. WPRO-FM, a radio station in the Providence metropolitan area, participated in planning the day and had a strong presence at the event. Cox Cable Television provided free advertising slots for 30-second ads promoting the day. Rhode Island Parent, a community newspaper, produced a special pullout section to promote the day.

Funding

Funding for the day was provided by the Rhode
Island Department of Human Services and by the businesses and programs that paid for exhibit space.

Use of Girl Power! Products

Each girl who attended the day received a Girl Power! diary and a Girl Power! pin. Dominique Dawes posters were distributed at the "gold medal" table. Girl Power! baseball caps and T-shirts were given as prizes for some of the games and activities in the exhibition area.