Girls—and the successes they’ve achieved over the last few decades—will be the topic of discussion on Jan. 10 at a program presented by the American Association of University Women.
“Speaking of Girls” will include presentations from Karen Skole, regional vice president of Girl Scouts of California’s Central Coast, and association member Barbara Johnston.
Skole will talk about steps the Girl Scouts of America took to modernize programs for girls in the 21st century. Girl Scouts of California’s Central Coast serves Ventura, Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, San Benito, Monterey, and Santa Cruz counties.
Johnston will present information on an AAUW-sponsored research project on gender equity in education.
According to a press release from the association, the study, titled “Where the Girls Are: The Facts About Gender Equity in Education,” focuses on girls’ achievements in school and how they affect the so-called “boys’ crisis in education.”
Harriet Tower, an association member and president of the Santa Maria Valley League of Women Voters, put together the presentation but is unable to attend the event.
In an interview with the Sun, Tower said the report debunks the recent theory that the success of girls comes at the expense of boys.
“That’s just not the case,” she said. “Girls are making progress, and so are boys.”
According to the report, the children—boys and girls—who have the most problems in school are those in lower socio-economic brackets.
Along with the presentation, Tower is donating several copies of the full report to the association. The copies will most likely be put up for auction.
“Speaking of Girls” will be held at the Minami Center, 600 W. Enos Dr., in Santa Maria at 11:30 a.m. There will be a catered lunch for $13. To RSVP, call Martha Hight at 937-5719 by Jan. 8.
For more information about the American Association of University Women or a full copy of the report Where the Girls Are, visit aauw.org. m
Contact Staff Writer Amy Asman at aasman@santamariasun.com.
This article appears in Jan 8-15, 2009.