Welcome to the 2024 Ann Bancroft Foundation Girlhood Summit!

Join us at the Minnesota History Center for a day filled with empowerment, inspiration, and fun. This in-person event is a unique, no-cost opportunity for girl-identifying youth to come together, learn from each other, and grow in confidence.

At the summit, you'll hear from inspiring speakers, participate in interactive workshops, and connect with other girls who are passionate about making a difference. Whether you're interested in leadership, STEM, or the arts, there's something for everyone at the Girlhood Summit.

Don't miss this chance to be a part of a supportive community that believes in the power of girls. Get ready to be inspired, learn new skills, and make lifelong connections. We can't wait to see you there!

Event Highlights:

• Inspiring Keynotes & Panels: Hear from trailblazing women who have shattered ceilings and are leading the way in various fields.
• Interactive Workshops: Participate in hands-on sessions focused on career exploration, personal finance, mental health, STEM education, and entrepreneurial design thinking.
• Youth-Led Presentations: Be inspired by youth talks, where young leaders share their visions for a brighter future.
• Explore the Girlhood Exhibit: Experience the Smithsonian's "Girlhood (It’s Complicated)" exhibit, a powerful exploration of what it means to grow up as a girl in the United States.

Why Attend?

• Empowerment: Gain insights from pioneers who have broken barriers and learn how to forge your own path.
• Connection: Network with peers, mentors, and community leaders who share your passion for change.
• Growth: Engage in workshops that equip you with practical skills and knowledge to navigate your future.

Who Should Attend?

The Ann Bancroft Foundation Girlhood Summit is designed for girl-identifying youth across Minnesota, with a special focus on middle and high school students. This event is an opportunity for young people to connect, be inspired, and engage in meaningful conversations with trailblazers and peers. While the summit is geared towards youth, two key sessions, the "Panel of Firsts" and "Trailblazers Rising: Talks from Youth," will be open to the public, including parents, mentors, educators, community leaders, and welcoming anyone interested in celebrating pioneers and supporting the voices and achievements of the next generation of leaders.

Summit Schedule At A Glance:

• 8:45 AM - 9:15 AM: Registration & Welcome Breakfast
• 9:15 AM - 10:00 AM: Welcome Remarks & Networking
• 10:00 AM - 11:15 AM: Keynote & Panel of Firsts (An intergenerational panel featuring pioneers in Minnesota who have achieved significant milestones). Open to the public
• 11:15 AM - 12:15 PM: Lunch & Youth Marketplace Exploration
• 12:15 PM - 1:00 PM: Girlhood Exhibit Tour
• 1:15 PM - 2:15 PM: Breakout Sessions and STEM innovation labs
• 2:15 PM - 3:15 PM: Trailblazers Rising (Talks from Youth) Open to the public
• 3:15 PM - 3:30 PM: Closing Remarks & Reflection

Afternoon Breakout Session Descriptions 1:15 PM – 2:15 PM

Session 1: Career and Mentor Exploration 

• Focus: A comprehensive session that combines Mentor Roundtables, Post-High School Pathways, and Career Exploration. Participants will engage in discussions with mentors from various fields, explore different career paths, and consider post-high school options like college, trades, or a gap year. 
• Audience: best for high school attendees

Session 2: Money Matters: A Fun and Interactive Guide to Personal Finance

• Focus: This lively and engaging session will demystify personal finance through interactive activities designed to make money management both fun and practical. Participants will: 
• Budgeting Basics: Learn how to create a budget that works for them by playing a budgeting game, where they’ll allocate “income” to various expenses and savings goals. 
• Savings Strategies: Discover the power of saving early with a simulation that shows how small, consistent contributions can grow over time. 
• Smart Spending: Participate in a "needs vs. wants" challenge that helps distinguish between essential and discretionary spending. 
• Credit 101: Gain a basic understanding of credit scores, credit cards, and how to use credit wisely through a role-playing exercise 
  • Audience:  middle and high school attendees

Session 3: Mental Health and Self-Esteem Building 

• Focus: This session focuses on nurturing mental health by integrating healthy habits into daily life. Participants will learn practical strategies to maintain a balanced and positive mindset, including: 
• Mindfulness Practices: Explore techniques like deep breathing, meditation, and journaling that help reduce stress and increase self-awareness. 
• Healthy Routines: Discuss the importance of sleep, nutrition, and exercise in maintaining mental well-being and learn how to incorporate these into daily routines. 
• Coping Strategies: Identify effective ways to manage anxiety, handle challenges, and build resilience through interactive exercises. 
• Positive Self-Talk: Practice reframing negative thoughts and cultivating a more optimistic and compassionate inner dialogue. 
• Support Systems: Understand the role of healthy relationships and social support in mental health and how to build and maintain strong connections. 
  • Speakers: 
  • Audience: youth attendees

Session 4: Interactive STEM Labs

• Focus: Dive into hands-on, interactive STEM experiences designed to spark curiosity and creativity. In these labs, participants will engage with exciting challenges in science, technology, engineering, and math, guided by inspiring mentors and professionals.
  • Audience: youth attendees

Session 5: Entrepreneurial Design Thinking

• Focus: A design thinking workshop that encourages participants to creatively address and develop tools and strategies for innovative problem-solving and product development. 
  • Audience: middle and high school

Detailed schedule and speaker information will be shared closer to the event.

Spaces are limited, so secure your spot today.

Register Here

Featured Speakers

Aaliyah Murray

Founder, Minnesota Teen Activists & Global Teen Activist

Aaliyah Murray is a 19-year-old social justice activist and organizer. She is an advocate for youth civic engagement, Black Lives Matter, gun violence and police brutality prevention, and restorative care for youth. Aaliyah was only 14 years old when she started Global Teen Activists, an intersectional youth-led organization committed to eradicating systemic injustices in schools and communities through advocacy and action. She noticed racist incidents in schools where her peers would not get justice and decided enough was enough. She strove to create a space where youth didn’t have to ask for a seat at the table; it was already there for them.

Session: Trailblazers Rising: Talks from Youth

Polar Explorer & Founder, Ann Bancroft Foundation

Ann Bancroft is a celebrated polar explorer, educator, and philanthropist. As the first woman to cross both the North and South Poles, she has inspired countless individuals to pursue their dreams, no matter the obstacles. Ann is the founder of the Ann Bancroft Foundation, where she continues to empower young women to reach their full potential. 

Session: Panel of Firsts

Executive Director, Ann Bancroft Foundation

Ethelind is passionate about many things and wears many hats with one purpose: to spark in others the same curiosity about advancing human equity, potential, and dignity that motivates her work and life. As the Executive Director of the Ann Bancroft Foundation since 2021, Ethelind champions its vision—a world in which all who identify as a girl have a chance to live their dream and reach their full potential. Ethelind also previously founded The Stargirl Initiative, a nonprofit dedicated to empowering teen and tween girls, for which she was named a Changemaker by MN Women’s Press. She has also received recognition by Twin Cities Business as one of the “100 Top People of 2024,” and by Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal as one of “50 Black Leaders To Know.” Ethelind offers her experience to several organizations including The Jeremiah Program as a Board Member and serves on the Board of Regents at Augsburg University.

DR. GIGI CHAWLA

Chief of General Pediatrics, Children's Minnesota

Gigi Chawla, MD, MHA, pediatrician is currently the Chief of General Pediatrics at Children's Minnesota. In her professional role, she has oversight over primary care, rehabilitation services, and mental, developmental, and behavioral health, including development of an inpatient mental health pediatric unit, and partial hospitalization mental health programs. She is often called upon by the media for her pediatric expertise and is a regular contributor for the Minnesota Parent's column and WCCO's segment to "Ask the Pediatrician."

Session: Mental Health and Self-Esteem Building

Founder, Youth in Law

Jorja Wodziak founded Youth in Law (YL) to address the lack of opportunities for law preparation courses in her hometown of Rochester, MN. Growing up in Rochester, home of the Mayo Clinic, she noticed that all the official ways to gain hands-on experience were medical-based, and the only way to get a law mentorship was through personal connections. Jorja strongly believes mentorship opportunities should be accessible to everyone, regardless of their personal connections. In February of her junior year, she launched YL to connect students to mentors in the government center. The organization seeks to provide students with valuable mentorship experiences in the field of law, promoting equal opportunities for all.

Session: Trailblazers Rising: Talks from Youth

Student & Community Volunteer

McKenzie is a dedicated senior at Benilde-St. Margaret’s, deeply involved in her community through her work at V3 Sports, a faith-driven local center in the Northside community that focuses on teaching swimming. Passionate about making a positive impact, she finds joy in helping others learn an essential life skill. When she’s not in the pool, McKenzie enjoys expressing her creativity through ceramics, experimenting in the kitchen, and embracing the serenity of nature.

Session: Trailblazers Rising: Talks from Youth

Event Details:

Location:
Minnesota History Center
345 W. Kellogg Blvd, St. Paul, MN 55102

Date: Saturday, November 2, 2024
Time: 8:45 AM - 3:30 PM

Contact Us:
For any questions, please email us at events@annbancroftfoundation.org

Register Today

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