It was only for an afternoon, but organizers of "Momentum 2010," a summit for young women, hope it will be a good start.
More than 170 girls in grades 7-12 from all over northwest Ohio gathered at the University of Toledo Health Science Campus, formerly the Medical College of Ohio, yesterday. They were there to learn more about issues that will be pivotal in their futures: education, money management, and relationships.
"My bottom line is I believe that education - your own personal education - is absolutely essential to your long-term happiness and effectiveness in life," said Dr. Elizabeth Ruppert, UT medical college professor emeritus of pediatrics and chairman of the event. "I want all girls to understand that there are skills and facts that when they know them, it will be easier for them to plan and be successful in going to college and staying in college."
Problems with money and unhealthy relationships - with girlfriends as well as boyfriends - can be real detours to success, Dr. Ruppert said.
Women who specialize in those areas gave miniseminars throughout the afternoon tailored to specific age groups.
Jeanne Brockmyer, a clinical child psychologist and UT professor, with assistance from graduate students Ariana Rebesco and Melissa Hoelzle, talked to the middle and high school students about dealing with "mean girls" - and about not being one.
While the girls associated the word "aggression" with physical acts, Ms. Rebesco told them there are more subtle forms of aggression, like giving someone the silent treatment, telling a secret a friend shared with you, getting your friends to ignore someone you're mad at, and whispering about a friend behind her back.
"It's harder to see than punching someone, but it can do just as much damage," she said.
Kaylyn Tracy, a freshman at Whitmer High School, volunteered to act out a conversation between two friends about another girl . She said afterward that the session was helpful. "I learned how to deal with emotions, like when I'm angry," she said.
Reilley Lenart, a seventh-grader at Springfield Middle School, also said the session was beneficial.
"I learned how you should actually talk to people you're mad at instead of ignoring them," she said.
Lisa Fink, coordinator of United Way's Women's Initiative, called the gathering "a great way to spend a Sunday."
"What a great opportunity for young women to be able to learn in a safe environment with access to all these experts," she said.
The summit in Toledo was a prelude to today's "Momentum 2010: Ohio Women's Summit" at the Vern Riffe Center in Columbus.
The statewide event, which is being held on the 100th anniversary of the creation of International Women's Day, is intended to discuss and promote the status of women and girls in economics, education, and health. It is being hosted by the Governor's Office for Women's Initiatives and Outreach.
Dr. Ruppert said she was part of the regional planning group for the statewide summit, which became her inspiration for organizing a local event focused on young women. The summit at UT was free, thanks to support from sponsors ProMedica Health System, KeyBank, Cooper & Walinski, and the Women's Initiative of the United Way of Greater Toledo.
"I think it's a good beginning," Dr. Ruppert said. "We believe there is the potential for more opportunities like this and the need to provide more coaching to provide follow-up to the girls."
In Columbus, both Gov. Ted Strickland and his wife, Frances, are among the speakers for today's event, which also features Valerie Jarrett, White House senior adviser and assistant to the President for intergovernmental affairs and public engagement. Ms. Jarrett also is chairman of the White House Council on Women and Girls.
According to the event Web site www.ohiowomen2010.org, registration for the day is "sold out."
Contact Jennifer Feehan at:
jfeehan@theblade.com
or 419-724-6129.
First Published March 8, 2010, 10:23 a.m.
