The Girls Center Begins March 7 - Sign Up Today

Adventurous, bold, resilient, curious, determined, smart, creative, passionate, resourceful, brave. That is how a graduate of The Girls Center (TGC) defined herself, and that is how Scarsdale's Tina Henderson, founder and creator, hopes each participant will emerge from The Girls Center. The Girls Center will open its doors, March 7th and hold workshops from 3:30-5pm every Thursday afternoon at The Scarsdale Woman's Club on Drake Road. Girls in seventh through ninth grades are welcome.

Henderson addressed a group at the Scarsdale Library last week and outlined the history of The Girls Center, including her background as a long time middle school teacher of adolescent girls and the lessons she's learned from Carol Gilligan, the premier authority on women's development. Gilligan was Henderson's professor and mentor in graduate school. Henderson discussed research findings that "girls are seriously impacted in their tween years," which Gilligan refers to as the edge of adolescence. This time span is often ignored, partly because girls seem to lose their voices at this point in their lives.

She went on to point out that while there is no doubt that we have made significant strides in the development of teenage girls, there is still a great need for continued growth and understanding. The fact that the world has changed significantly since the women's movement is notable. Girls are now bombarded by unrealistic images in the media, obsessed with facebook, texting, twitter, instagram, reality television and inappropriate clothing.

After many years of teaching, she observed one girl after another struggle through these difficult teenage years with questions of identity and self worth. She watched girls act out, become "mean girls," do poorly in school ( particularly in math and science) and sometimes go silent, losing their wonderful and enthusiastic younger girl voice. Many girls were expressing real forms of anxiety and looking for a safe place to turn. Many girls were feeling pressure to be perfect. Something essential was missing from these young girls lives. Regardless of a girl's socioeconomic background, there is a universal pressure to measure up to others, to please others, and to conform to the absurd images of society and the media. By the time girls get to high school, things start to make sense; however, often it is too late. Some girls have already become bullies, imposed self-inflicted harm, starved themselves, or just spent too many days uncertain about who they are.

Henderson wanted to provide some help. She had an idea to create a safe, comfortable and creative environment where girls could express themselves authentically and organically, honestly and openly, to gain a healthier sense of self. The Girls Center was formed.  Henderson addressed a group at the Scarsdale Library last week and outlined the history of The Girls Center, which is a new and exciting program sponsored and supported by Scarsdale & Edgemont Family Counseling.

Together with Laurie Albanese, a writer and English teacher, Henderson created a curriculum supported by Gilligan's and Rachel Simmon's work. The weekly workshops were organized around themes involving female adolescent needs like identity, relationships, communication and body image. All were taught and practiced at The Girls Center through the lens of creativity. Specific projects included yoga, role playing, self portrait making, poetry writing and other forms of self expression, infused with plenty of good old fashion talking and relating. Henderson says this spring TGC plans to add an art show, a poetry slam, an Open Mic Night and perhaps participate in more activism.

Girls from last year are the biggest advocates and supporters of The Girls Center. Their testimonials speak volumes: "The Girls Center made me more open and more sure of myself." " I feel like a somebody, not a nobody." " This is a great, fun, club that helps with your confidence." And " I realized that other girls go through a lot that I go through."

To sign up for this spring's semester please call Scarsdale & Edgemont Family Counseling at 914-723-3281. There is a nominal fee for ten workshops and there are a few spots left. This is a special opportunity for your girls. Don't pass up the chance!