Believe in NM Girls

2011-01-07T10:18:00.000-08:00

NM Girls Institute Leadership Camp
June 5-9, 2011
Socorro, NM

Designed to help teenage girls gain personal power, build self-confidence and self-esteem, the NM Girls Institute is offering a five-day camp that:

Promotes positive relationships
Enhances self-esteem and self-worth
Encourages setting and achieving goals
Inspires self-awareness
Celebrates the future

Dates: Sunday, June 5 through Thursday, June 9, 2011
Time: Sunday Check In between 2:00-3:30 p.m.
Thursday Check Out at 3:00 p.m.

Where: New Mexico Tech
801 Leroy Place in Socorro

Limited to 25 girls, our focus is to bring awareness to living a healthy and balanced life while achieving goals and serving the community. The camp will incorporate personal reflection, engaging hands-on workshops and experiential opportunities in a safe and supportive environment. Our staff and volunteers are talented and committed women from the community who care about New Mexico girls and the challenges they face.

Application Process:
Guidance counselors from around the state may nominate students from 8th or 9th grade who may benefit from this type of program. The students then fill out an application and an essay to return to the guidance counselor. The guidance counselor will then mail the completed packets back to the NM Girls Institute. Girls will be notified of their acceptance and further paperwork such as health forms, permission slips/waivers, surveys, etc. are then mailed to the girls with deadlines for submission.

Tuition:

$10.00 non-refundable application fee (due with application)
$10.00 supply fee (due April 1, 2011)
$80.00 room and board fee (due May 5, 2011)

Room and Board:
Girls will be residing at Driscoll Hall dorms on campus. Rooms open to an interior hallway and bathrooms will be shared. Each room has its own sink, 2 twin beds, 2 closets, and 2 desks. Girls will be assigned a roommate. Adults will be housed in the same wing as the girls. Driscoll Hall is accessible only with a key card.

Girls are provided with all meals and snacks throughout the week.

Financial Aid:
The NM Girls Institute will provide a minimum of 5 scholarships for those who need assistance with the cost of room and board. The Application also has a scholarship request form.

For an application or more information, please contact Kathi Brown at 505-222-6600 or 1-800-432-9168 or info@nmgirlsintitute.org

The NM Girls Institute is a program of the NM Commission on the Status of Women -- YOUR state agency for women and girls.

From IMPACT Personal Safety

2010-05-27T13:03:00.000-07:00

Are you familiar with IMPACT Personal Safety? If not, you should be. Check them out at www.impactpersonalsafety.org Look for them at the 2010 SLAM Conference !

In the meantime, I received an email from their Executive Director this week highlighting the suggestions to consider for keeping safe. Follow these no-nonsense words of wisdom from an organization that is truly invested in the safety and well-being of New Mexicans.

IMPACT Personal Safety's SAFETY CHOICES

General Awareness

Trust your intuition. Believe yourself in the moment about whether a situation is safe or not.
Be aware of the people around you and how you are feeling about them.
Use all your sensese to be aware of what is going on around you.

Awareness in your Home

Think befoer you give out personal information or information about your daily routine.
When you go somewhere outside of your daily routine, consider letting someone know where you are going and when you expect to return.
If you are going to arrive home after dark, consider keeping an outside light on.
Note that people can see in through windows, especially at night when lights are on. Consider closing the blinds or curtains.
Decide how you want to answer the door. (Do you check the peephole? Should children be allowed to answer? Do you ask service personnel for ID?)
Do not depend on your dog for more than an alarm.
If you hear a prowler, turn on your outside lights and call the police. Alert your neighbors.

Awareness in your Car

Locate your keys before you go outside of your car.
Lock your car when you leave it.
Be aware of your gas tank level; refill it before you risk running out.
Keep all valuable out of sight and avoid leaving personal information in open view.
If you have car trouble, don't accept help from anyone you have a bad feeling about.
If you discover you are being followed, drive to an open business or a public place. Wait to go home until you are not being followed or have received help.
If anyone demands your car from you, it is safest to cooperate. Keep the assailant informed as you move quickly and deliberately. ("Okay, let me unbuckle my seat belt" and "My child is in the back seat, please let me get him out.)
If you are driving someone home, offer to wait until s/he has entered the house before leaving.

Want more SAFETY CHOICES.... visit www.impactpersonalsafety.org/tips.html

This is perfect!

2010-04-28T13:45:00.000-07:00

"Courage, sacrifice, determination, commitment, toughness, heart, talent, guts. That's what little girls are made of; the heck with sugar and spice. " -- Bethany Hamilton, greatest female surfer of our time!

2010-04-23T12:48:00.000-07:00

"For attractive lips, speak words of kindness. For lovely eyes, seek out the good in people. For a slim figure, share your food with the hungry. For beautiful hair, let a child run his/her finger through it once a day. For poise, walk with the knowledge that you never walk alone." -- Audrey Hepburn

These thoughts are truly a gift. Our beauty comes from our actions, not the store.

The Power of Friendship

2010-04-19T15:23:00.000-07:00

"There's not a word yet for old friends who've just met. Part heaven, part space, or have I found my place? You can just visit, but I plan to stay. I'm going to go back there someday." - I'm Going to Go Back There Someday

I just read a book called "Before You Leap: A Frog's-Eye View of Life's Greatest Lesson" by Kermit the Frog. Sure, laugh. He's a muppet for goodness sakes! But he had some wise words to pass along.. including the 14 steps of Friendship. And yes, the truth is, friends ARE easy to make once you know the rules. And it takes more than just a click on the Facebook screen to have a friend!

The rules are:
1) Be Happy with Who YOU Are.
2) Begin EVERY Interaction in a Friendly Manner
3) Be Genuinely Interested in OTHERS
4) Let the OTHER Person Do Most of the Talking
5) Show Respect to EVERYONE
6) Expect the BEST from Others
7) Appeal to Others' HIGHER Motives
8) Be Open to NEW Things
9) Have a Sense of HUMOR
10) Be HONEST
11) AVOID Arguments.
12) ADMIT Mistakes
13) Be Quick to FORGIVE
14) Give FREELY of Yourself and Your Talents

And in the end, the little green frog says, "When you can give your time and your talent to others without expecting anything in return, you're the best kind of friend."

Who knew someone's who breath smelled like flies would be so wise?

Get Outside Day! 2010 – Youth Nationwide Get Outside and Celebrate Nature - Children

2010-03-31T09:47:00.001-07:00

Get Outside Day! 2010 – Youth Nationwide Get Outside and Celebrate Nature - Children & Nature Network (C&NN)

Posted using ShareThis

Whale or a Mermaid?

2010-02-24T13:42:00.000-08:00

Recently, in a large city in Australia, a poster featuring a young, thin and tan woman appeared in the window of a gym. It said: "This summer, do you want to be a mermaid or a whale?"

A middle-aged woman, whose physical characteristics did not match those of the woman on the poster, responded publicly to the question posed by the gym.

"To Whom It May Concern:

Whales are always surrounded by friends (dolphins, sea lions, curious humans)
They have an active sex life, get pregnant and have adorable baby whales.
They have a wonderful time with dolphins stuffing themselves with shrimp.
They play and swim in the seas, seeing wonderful places like Patagonia, the Bering Sea,
and the coral reefs of Polynesia.
Whales are wonderful singers and have been recorded for CDs.
They are incredible creatures and virtually have no predators, other than humans.
They are loved, protected and admired by almost everyone in the world.

Mermaids don't exist.
If they did exist, they would be lining up outside the offices of Argentiean psychoanalysts due to identity crisis. Fish or human?
They don't have a sex life because they kill men who get too close to them.
Therefore, they don't have kids either.
Not to mention, who wants to get close to a girl who smells like a fish store?

The choice is perfectly clear to me: I want to be a whale.

P.S. We are in an age when media puts into our heads that idea that only skinny people are beautiful, but I prefer to enjoy an ice cream with my kids, a good dinner with a man who makes me shiver, and a piece of chocolate with my friends.

With time, we gain weight because we accumulate so much information and wisdom in our heads that when there is no more room, it distributes out the rest of our bodies. So we aren't heavy, we are enormously cultured, educated and happy. Beginning today, when I look at my butt in the mirror, I will think, "Good grief, look how smart I am!"

Celebrate Women's History Month

2010-02-16T14:56:00.000-08:00

New Mexico has some amazing women in our history!

Soledad Chavez de Chacon (1890-1936) From 1923-1927, Soledad Chavez de Chacon served two terms as the NM Secretary of State. She was the first woman to hold that office in New Mexico. In 1924 she served as acting Governor in the absence of Governor Hinkle. This was especially notable in that New Mexico was the first state in the Union to acknowledge a woman as its chief executive. From 1935-36, she served a term in the NM House of Representatives.

Dr. Meta Christy (unknown) Dr. Christy, a daughter of slave parents, was the first Black osteopath in the world. She practiced in Las Vegas, New Mexico, beginning a lifetime of noteworthy service in the early 1900s.

Lula Mildred Smith Greer Click (1879-1973) Lula Click, also known as Mother Click, an African American woman, was one of the founders of God's House Church in Albuquerque (c. 1950), which is still active today.

Florence Hawley Ellis (1917-1991) Florence Hawley Ellis was a world-renowned anthropologist and a Professor at the University of New Mexico. She was one of the first anthopologists to date Southwest pottery through the study of three rings. The technique first applied extensively at Chaco Canyon. She established the Department of Dendrochronology at the University of New Mexico and the University of Chicago. In 1980 the Ghost Ranch Anthropology Museum was dedicated in her name.

Christine Gonzales was the first woman locomotive engineer of the Santa Fe Railway, and the third generation of a railroad family. Her first job as engineer was dumping ore cars at the Hurley smelter.

Emily Harwood (1842-1902) In 1869 she came with her husband, Reverand Thomas Harwood, to work among the Spanish-speaking girls in New Mexico. She was a pioneer in bilingual education and established the Harwood School and Home for girls in Albuquerque.

Marquita Largo (unknown) In 1974, Marquita Largo became the first female commissioned police officer on a Navajo Indian Reservation. She was commissioned by the New Mexico State Police.

Lozen (unknown) Lozen was a Chiricahua Apache warrior, named "Warrior Woman" by Geronimo. The Chiricahua Apaches have a strong tradition of women warriors, including Lozen and Cochise's sister, who's name is not known. They sat in council with men.

Georgia Lee Lusk (1893-1970) Georgia Lusk was the state's first Congresswoman; she served as the United States Representative from New Mexico to the 80th Congress. She was Lea County Superintendent of Schools from 1924-1928 and became State Superintendent of Public Instruction in 1930.

Patricia Madrid was elected in 1998 as the first woman Attorney General in New Mexico. In 1978 she was one of the first two Hispanics to earn a law degree from the University of New Mexico Law School and was the first woman elected District Court Judge in 1983.

Reba Mera (unknown) Reba Mera sewed the first New Mexico State Flag in 1923. She is nicknamed "Mrs. Betsy Ross of New Mexico."

Graciela Olivarez (1928-1987) Graciela Olivarez was the first woman to graduate from Notre Dame Law School. She was a professor at the University of New Mexico Law School and head of the State Planning Commission under Governor Apodaca. President Lyndon Johnson appointed her Vice Chair of the US Commission on Population Growth and American Future. President Jimmy Carter appointed her to the Community Services Administration. She received many awards, including "Outstanding Mexican American Women in the Southwest Award."

Maria Adelina Isabel Emelia Otero-Warren (1881-1951) Nina Otero-Warren was an educator, businesswoman, and one of the first women born in New Mexico to become professionally and politically active. She was appointed school superintendent of Santa Fe. She was state chairperson of the Women's Republican Organization and long time chairperson of the State's Federation of Women's Clubs' legislative committee. Much credit for New Mexico having obtained suffrage is due to Nina Otero-Warren.

Verna Olguin Williamson was elected the first female Governor of Isleta Pueblo in 1987.

HPV Vaccine: Is It For You?

2010-01-08T08:18:00.000-08:00

There is a new vaccine that helps prevent cervical cancer and other conditions caused by certain types of Human Papillomavirus (HPV). Maybe you have heard about the HPV vaccine from a friend, parent, or your health care provider. So why is it such a big deal? It is the first vaccine that helps prevent a major type of cervical cancer! Not sure if the vaccine is right for you? Here is some information so you can decide.

What is HPV?

There are many different types of HPV. There are about 100 different types and more than 30 are sexually transmitted. Researchers keep track of the different types of HPV by identifying them with numbers — such as 6, 11, 16 and 18.
Some types cause genital warts, others cause pre-cancerous changes (cellular changes that can lead to cancer in the cervix later).

Are you at risk to get HPV?

If you have had sexual contact or plan to have sexual contact in your lifetime, you are potentially at risk for getting HPV. Any sexually active person — no matter what color, race, gender or sexual orientation — can get HPV. In fact, at least 1 in every 2 sexually active young women has had a genital HPV infection. About 20 million Americans of all ages know they have the HPV virus because they have had genital warts or an abnormal Pap test or have tested positive for HPV. However, most people do not know they have HPV because they have not had symptoms.
HPV and genital warts spread by skin-to-skin contact during any sexual contact with someone who is infected with HPV. This includes oral sex. Condoms can help protect against HPV but they aren’t perfect because HPV can be found on skin that isn’t covered by a condom. HPV can be in the skin and genital organs without any symptoms.

What is the HPV vaccine?

There is a new vaccine called Gardasil that protects young women against four types of HPV. The vaccine works to prevent two types of HPV (# 16 and #18), which have been linked to cervical cancer — and two other types — #6 and #11, which cause genital warts. The vaccine works best in young girls/women who have not yet come in contact with these viruses. That is why the vaccine is recommended for all 11 and 12 year old girls as a routine vaccination and for all young women 13-26 who have not yet had the vaccine. The HPV vaccine is given in a series of three shots over 6 months. The first shot is given at a time of your choice. The second shot should be given two months after the first shot, and the third shot should be given six months after the first shot.

Is the HPV vaccine effective?

When tested in girls who had not been exposed to HPV 6, 11, 16 and 18, the HPV vaccine was 100% effective in preventing infection. The vaccine is less effective in young women who have already come into contact with HPV. However, if a girl has been exposed to only type 6, the vaccine still gives protection against the others. So, even girls who have had sexual contact should get immunized.

The research is only 5-years old so studies don’t know what the long term effects are yet.

Are there any side effects with the vaccine?

Side effects are rare; however, some young women who get the vaccine may complain of pain, or have swelling or redness where they got the shot (arm or thigh). These discomforts are temporary but may last a couple of days. In very few cases, people may get a fever, feel dizzy, or feel sick to their stomach.

Is there any reason you should NOT get the vaccine?

The vaccine is not recommended if you’re pregnant, have certain blood conditions, an immune disorder or certain other medical problems. If you’re thinking of getting the vaccine, ask your health care provider if it’s a good idea for you to get it.

How do you know if you SHOULD get the vaccine?

Talk it over with your health care provider. Most people will become sexually active at some point in their lives and the vaccine is very effective in preventing the spread of HPV.
Should you get the vaccine if you’ve already had sex and don’t know if you have been exposed?
Yes. Girls and women should receive the vaccine even if they have already had sex. It is not necessary to have the HPV test before getting the vaccine.

Flirting or Sexual Harassment?

2010-01-04T14:14:00.000-08:00

Some people confuse flirting with sexual harassment. They say or do something to another person, that person doesn’t like it, and they think, “What’s the big deal?” or “She/he is overreacting.” In fact, flirting and sexual harassment are very different.

1. Flirting makes the other person feel good, happy, flattered, attractive and in control. Sexual harassment makes the other person feel bad, angry, demeaned, ugly and powerless.

2. Flirting boosts the other person’s self-esteem. Sexual harassment hurts.

3. Flirting is reciprocal and complimentary. Sexual harassment is often one-sided and degrading.

4. Flirting is wanted. Sexual harassment is unwanted and done in a way so that one person has power over another.

5. Flirting is legal. Sexual harassment is illegal. In schools, it’s illegal according to the Civil Rights Act, Title IX, Federal Education Amendment.

50 Skills Every Girl Should Know!

2009-12-23T14:28:00.000-08:00

1. Change a flat tire
2. Check her oil
3. Say “No”
4. Navigate a map
5. Perform CPR
6. Maneuver a car out of a skid
7. Get a car unstuck from snow or mud
8. Jumpstart a car
9. Balance a check book
10. Give a firm handshake
11. Comfort someone
12. Throw a football
13. Save money
14. Perform the Heimlich maneuver
15. Use a sewing machine
16. Paint a straight line
17. Iron a shirt
18. Fly a kite
19. Drive a stick shift
20. Parallel park
21. Ride a bike
22. Give a speech
23. Be a good friend
24. Walk and sit correctly in high heels
25. Put furniture together
26. Create and stick to a budget
27. Keep a blog
28. Interview for a job
29. Take the keys from a drunk friend
30. Pick out fresh fruit and veggies at the store
31. Sew on a button
32. Remove a sliver
33. Write a poem
34. Cooperate
35. Know what you want
36. Pitch a tent
37. Walk away from a bad relationship
38. Give her opinion
39. Take a compliment
40. Laugh
41. Love yourself the way you are
42. Take a risk
43. Keep your commitments
44. Organize your time
45. Daydream
46. Handle an emergency
47. Ask for help
48. Proper meal etiquette
49. How to write a thank you note
50. Negotiate

See Whip It! By Rosalind Wiseman

2009-11-18T11:27:00.001-08:00

Here’s the deal. Whip It, the new Drew Barrymore/Ellen Page film, is tanking at the box office. We have to go see it. If we don’t, the money’s going to dry up for girl-power films.
Not that you won’t enjoy every minute. Whip It is the Real Girl movie of the year. Its motto: Be your own hero.

The plot: Bliss Cavendar (Page) is a 17 year old reluctant beauty pageant contestant, nudged along by her Good Girl mother (played by the terrific Marcia Gay Harden). Mom is a former beauty queen herself who sneaks smokes to project a Perfect Mom image to her daughter (and undergoes her own transformation in the film). When Bliss watches an all-female roller derby, she’s enthralled. She sneaks off to tryouts and busts into the world of Austin derby.

Bliss’ team, the Hurl Scouts, is Real Girl heaven: women who tell it like it is, don’t care what people think and take up space – literally, by jumping on top of each other. When Bliss apologizes before she speaks in true Good Girl fashion, the team has none of it. “Find that thing that pisses you off,” a teammate advises the timid Bliss, “and use it.” Okay, passion doesn’t have to be driven by anger, but it’s a crystal clear moment of a girl learning how to access power and drive.
I like how parent-positive this movie is. Bliss goes too far with her Mom and gets schooled by one of the Hurl Scouts for being selfish. And it’s Dad who skates away with the film, with his tearjerker line, “I can’t take our daughter missing a chance to be happy.”

Some parents might feel uncomfortable about the sheer brass of these women (with nicknames, for example, like “Jabba the Slut”). Personally, I wish Bliss didn’t have to throw her Good Girl self under the bus in favor of more aggressive behavior. She goes too far when she knocks a popular girl over a railing at school to show off her newfound confidence.

That said, there’s an infectious and heart lifting freedom in the way these women blow through a party, locker room or rink. You will cheer for Bliss when she is literally sprung from the prison of her beauty pageant life by this rollicking pack of women. I dare you to go see this movie and not wonder where you left your last pair of skates.

Bliss displays inspiring confidence with boys, modeling the kind of self-esteem you want your daughter to see on the big screen. An NPR reporter recently pointed out that the last scene between Bliss and her love interest “is so smart and so significant and so legitimately revolutionary given the sensibilities of 99 percent of the movies that depict teenage girls that that scene alone would make it a great gift for your daughter when she turns 13.”

There’s an email pinging around that wonders if “Whip It would have been better off if it was told in reverse: the story of a Roller Derby Girl who made herself over as a Beauty Queen, won the pageant and got the boyfriend in the end.” Great question, but let’s use the time we might have spent wondering and get our butts to the box office. Do it for the girl in your life. If we don’t vote with our wallets, we may lose for years to come.

Sticks and Stones

2009-09-15T08:43:00.000-07:00

A lot of people think of bullies only as fights on the playground or something bigger kids do to littlier kids and mainly boys as the perpetrators. Bullying is also very common among girls -- but it might look different to the average onlooker. It is also more common then adults think. Around 5.7 million teens are involved in bullying either as the perpetrator or the victim -- and sometimes as both!

What Girls Do:
Shake their head, roll their eyes
Spread rumors, lies
Ignore someone, give them the "silent treatment"
Use the Internet, texting, email to hurt someone
Use other people to hurt them
Leaving someone out on purpose
Name calling, threatening
Using someone to get what they want
Forcing someone to do something embarrassing in order for them to be part of your crowd

Bullying is when one person of a group of people repeatedly hurt someone else. Bullying usually involves hurting someone who is usually considered weaker or less confident and with less social standing.

Young women tease one another mainly to feel better about themselves. It is a way the perpetrator thinks will make them feel more important and have control over other people. Young women bully to:

get attention
get what they want
gain respect
become more popular
feel better about themselves
punish people they are jealous of
fit in

Great links on girl-to-girl bullying:

www.opheliaproject.org

www.rosalindwiseman.com

www.rachelsimmons.com

Online Learning and Life Skills

2009-08-14T07:31:00.000-07:00

(by Jay Nelson, SWCP Portal Editor)

Due to the rapid evolution in computers, each new school year brings more exciting educational possibilities along with new dangers for kids that parents need to worry about. The same technology allows for both. The difference now is that whereas our forebearers once studied tiny one-room classrooms with primers and individual chalk slates, these days our kids have computerized slates that turn the entire planet into a single-room classroom and playground.

But the human problems remain the same. Distractions, bullies, cliques, shunning, cheating, flirting, gossiping, strangers, homework, stupid stunts, and all the rest are now online, too. And since the Internet will grow with them throughout their lives, today's children are just going to have to learn to cope with cyberspace. They are going to have to develop skills for surviving in the electronic schoolyard of the 21st century. Life is still like a high school, it's just a whole lot bigger now.

So parents, don't panic. Those same lessons you learned more through hard knocks and social interactions than in class, about manners, preparation, responsibility, and the values of friendship and the rest still apply. The only thing that's really changed is how the young connect. A lot of that, one way or another, involves the Internet, including texting and chat.

Electronic devices now come in all shapes, sizes, and capabilities. More and more have connections with the Internet, including gaming consoles. Cellphones can surf the Web, using specially served pages for their tiny screens. Even netbooks in schools can be linked, to each other and the Web. There's no escaping it.

Of course, parents and caregivers should seek to protect your charges online. Exposure should be regulated with even more care than TV time, due to the interactive dangers.

The simplest way to make it easier to monitor your kids' Internet activities and limit their time spent online is to place your home computer with Internet access in an open public area, not in a bedroom.

It may not be possible to control their access that way, especially if they're older and have their own netbooks or laptops and you have home wireless. Giving your kids secondary email accounts from your own email account allows some control over their email.

Actively checking the kids' computer out from time to time is a good idea. Everything should be looked at from browsing history to the working state of your firewall- the latter to make sure your budding geniuses haven't disabled it to make online gambling easier to download or to download new and potentially spyware-ridden software.

Staying involved is very important. If you need to get more "Big Brother" about it, there are more gadgets and packages that claim they can help all the time. A few are www.cybersitter.com, www.netnanny.com. These are still controversial. Claims are often made that some sites that should be blocked, aren't and vice versa, or that blocks can be evaded by tech-savvy teens. Internet monitoring with programs such as Webwatcher, www.awarenesstech.com/Parental is also controversial. Though less intrusive than blocking, doing it secretly could raise some real trust issues with your children.

Worried about your kids stealing others? Scare them by letting them know about site like Turnitin, which specialize in spotting plagiarism in papers. If time or access control is a problem when you're not at home, BOB, a "screentime controller" (usebob.com) is a physical lock out device to limit time spent in front of the screen -- computers, TVs, and video games too.

There are also devices to locate kids via cellphones, even notifying parents by email when they wander out of a designated zone, or car GPS units, monitoring location, time parked, and speed. But you may not find these necessary to actually use these products. Just hinting about them to your children may be enough.

However, because you ultimately cannot control their access to the outside world, the best defense for your kids is to teach them safe practices on the Net from an early age -- and of course, to learn them yourself. One good place to start is Kids Safety Online, www.kidsonlinesafety.org , which has lots of links. But if you don't have the time to research them all, from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, comes a quick and simple list of useful rules for keeping the little ones safe on the Internet:

Online Safety Rules for Kids:

I will not give out personal information such as my address, telephone number, parent's work address/telephone number, or the name and location of my school without my parent's permission.
I will tell my parents right away if I come across any information that makes me feel uncomfortable.
I will never agree to get together with someone I "meet" online without first checking with my parents. If my parents agree to the meeting, I will be sure that it is in a public space and bring my mother or father along.
I will never send a person my picture or anything else without first checking with my parents.
I will not respond to any messages that are mean or in any way makes me feel uncomfortable. It is not my fault if I get a message like this. If I do, I will tell my parents right away so that they can contact the online service.
I will talk to my parents so that we can set up rules for going online. We will decide upon the time of the day that I can be online, the length of time I can be online and appropriate areas for me to visit. I will not access these areas or break these rules without their permission.

(SWCP - Southwest Cyberport, www.swcp.com.)

ABQJOURNAL NEWS/STATE: State: Almost Half of Class of 2008 Didn't Graduate

2009-08-04T13:30:00.001-07:00

ABQJOURNAL NEWS/STATE: State: Almost Half of Class of 2008 Didn't Graduate

Shared via AddThis

Believe in NM Girls SLAM Conference

2009-07-28T21:20:00.000-07:00

Believe in NM Girls 2009 SLAM Conference

Interested in attending? SAVE THE DATE! CONFERENCE FEES ARE WAIVED FOR GIRLS REGISTERING BEFORE SEPTEMBER 25, 2009!
(registrations are $25.00 for each person registering after September 25, 2009)
October 16-17, 2009

Tentative Agenda:

Friday, October 16, 2009
12:00-1:30 p.m. Tours of Campus and Check In
1:45-3:00 p.m. Opening Ceremonies
3:15-4:30 p.m. Workshops
4:30-7:30 p.m. Girls Street Fair (tentative)

Saturday, October 17, 2009
8:00-10:30 a.m. Girls Career Fair and Breakfast
10:45-12:00 p.m. Workshops
12:00-1:30 p.m. Etiquette Luncheon with Featured Speaker
1:45-3:00 p.m. Workshops
3:15-4:30 p.m. Workshops
4:30-5:00 p.m. Closing Ceremonies

On Saturday, October 17, 2009, the NM Girls Institute will also host an adult seminar on relational aggression. The seminar, taught by Dr. Emily Moore of Social Empowerment Programs of NM, is limited to the first 30 participants who register. The cost of this seminar is $10.00 and is in addition to the $25.00 conference fee (if registering after September 25, 2009).

For more information, visit www.nmgirlsinstitute.org or

call 505-222-6600

Emerging Leaders in South Carolina

2009-07-28T21:13:00.000-07:00

I just returned from looking at a wonderful program at Columbia College in Columbia, SC. http://www.columbiasc.edu/leadership_inst/

Following a week of the Emerging Leaders Camp for 24 middle school students who are preparing to take on 9th grade was inspiring. Based on the core values of Courage, Confidence, Commitment and Competence, the girls are inspired throughout the week to set goals and plans to achieve those goals. The girls in attendanec were highly motivated -- with big plans for their futures. I will expect these girls will set things on fire as they continue to aim high and continue their quests.

Dr. Linda Salane, Candy Waites and Carol Vaughn were the epitome of southern hospitality. They are highly committed themselves to their mission -- creating amazing South Carolina women!

Enthused and motivated by their success, the NM Girls Institute will begin looking at creating a similar program -- with our own Southwestern twist! Stay tuned for more information as the NM Girls Institute Leadership Camp takes form!

Depression or Feeling "Blue"

2009-05-19T07:48:00.000-07:00

As a teenager, there are so many changes taking place in your body and with your emotions that it can be very overwhelming. You might feel like you are in a great mood one minute and a bad one the next. This roller coaster of emotions is normal. It's OK to have the blues sometimes and there are things you can do to feel better. Try these tips to improve your mood:

Know that what you are going through is very common.
Find a way to relax, such as sitting down and taking a deep breath or taking a shower.
Talk to your friends, parents/guardians, teachers, counselors or doctors about what you are feeling. They can help you sort through your emotions.
Get some exercise. When you exercise, your body make more special chemicals called endorphines. Endorphines can help improve your mood.
Make sure that you get enough rest. Being tired can make you feel more stressed.

There is a big difference between having the blues and having depression. Depression is a serious illness that affects many young people. The good news is that depression can be treated. Make sure to talk to your doctor or school counselor about any worries you have about depression.

How will I know if I have depression?

While some signs of depression can seem a lot like just having the blues, there is a way to know if you need to talk to your doctor about depression. See your doctor about depression if:
you have five or more of the symptoms listed below for at least two weeks, or
any one of these symptoms gets in the way of school or family life.
Symptoms of depression:

sadness or crying that you can’t explain
major changes in the way you eat such as not eating or over-eating
being crabby, angry, worried or nervous
feeling negative or not caring about anything
feeling guilty or worthless
thinking about death or committing suicide
sleep changes, such as sleeping more or having trouble sleeping
not being able to focus or make a decision
not being able to enjoy the things you usually enjoy
not wanting to spend time with your friends
feeling restless or tired most of the time

If your doctor decides that you do have depression, there are many ways it can be treated. The important thing is to get help. For more helpful information, check out: Let's Talk about Depression (PDF - 45KB) from the National Institute of Mental Health.

How can I help a friend who is depressed?
With all the changes taking place and new demands on your time, it is normal for you and your friends to feel down sometimes. If you have a friend who has been down for weeks, she or he may be dealing with depression. There are ways you can help. To learn how, check out What to do when a friend is depressed (PDF - 78KB) from the National Institute of Mental Health.

2009-05-06T15:30:00.000-07:00

May is Teen Pregnancy Prevention Month

New Mexico is joining the national activities for
TEEN PREGNANCY PREVENTION MONTH

The biggest event is an interactive online “quiz” for teens. It will be unveiled on Wednesday, May 6, 2009 and runs through the month. Last year almost 300,000 teens around the country took this quiz.

You can help insure that New Mexico tens get involved in this important opportunity. The quiz includes real-life scenarios and storylines that will prompt teens to carefully consider how they would react in risky sexual situations. Many teens still think, “It can’t happen to me.” This activity will help break through that denial and understand that it can happen to them.

The message is simple. Teens must think about the importance of postponing pregnancy and parenthood until they are adults and take action now to protect their futures.

EXPECT THE UNEXPECTED – SEX HAS CONSEQUENCES!

This event has been launched by the National Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy in partnership with over 150 prominent national organizations.

For more information or access the quiz, log on to www.teenpregnancy.org

For more information on New Mexico activities, visit the New Mexico Teen Pregnancy Coalition at www.nmtpc.org

You Can Help!
· Spread the word to educators, medical and social service providers, the faith community and local community organizations. Ask them to promote the event.

· Get the word out to teens about the quiz. Help them find internet access for the quiz.

· Encourage your schools and libraries to provide internet access for the quiz.

· Help your local schools develop creative activities for the month of May.

· Publicize May events in your local newspapers and radio.

· Use the month of May to increase awareness about teen pregnancy in your community.

Did you know? New Mexico has the 2nd highest teen birth rate in the US

For more information, contact:
New Mexico Teen Pregnancy Coalition
PO Box 35997, Albuquerque, NM 87176
Phone: (505) 254-8737 s Fax: (505) 254-8741
email: nmtpc@nmtpc.org s www.nmtpc.org

2009-04-03T20:45:00.000-07:00

April is National Sexual Assault
Awareness Month!!

Ways to Reduce your Risk of Sexual Assault

As with any violent crime, there’s nothing you can do to guarantee that you will not be a victim of sexual violence. But there are many steps you can take to help reduce your risk of being assaulted. Click on the links below to learn some recommended methods to help reduce your risk.

Avoiding Dangerous Situations [1]
While you can never completely protect yourself from sexual assault, there are some things you can do to help reduce your risk of being assaulted.

Computer Safety Procedures [2]
Tips on cache and history cleaning, erasing cookies, and protecting yourself from viruses, spyware, and key-stroke logging.

Find a Safe Computer [3]
Please take a moment to think about whether your computer is safe. This is particularly important if the person abusing you may have access to your computer.

How can I protect my child from sexual assault? [4]
While there is no sure-fire way to protect your child from all dangers, there are some steps that you can take to help reduce the risk of a sexual assault.

If Someone is Pressuring You [5]
If someone is pressuring you, it is important to remember that being in this situation is not your fault...here are some things that you can try.

In a Social Situation [6]
Here are some tips to help reduce your risk of being assaulted in social situations.

Safety Planning [7]
If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted or is in an abusive relationship, there are things to consider when thinking about safety.

What can Men Do? [8]
The majority of those who commit sexual assaults are men. Even so, it is important to remember that the vast majority of men are not rapists.

© RAINN 2008 info@rainn.org 1.800.656.HOPE CFC#10488 Privacy Policy Federal Funding Disclaimer

New Mexico High School Girls Poetry Contest

2009-03-26T10:26:00.000-07:00

Teenage girls – help celebrate National
Women’s Health Week!

The New Mexico Governor’s Women’s Health Advisory Council and the UNM Creative Writing Program are happy to sponsor a poetry contest for girls in Albuquerque high schools.
Ten finalists will be selected by UNM Creative Writing students and those poems will be forwarded to the New Mexico Governor’s Women’s Health Council for judging of three prizes. All ten finalists will receive awards.

PRIZES:
First Place: $100Second Place: $75Third Place: $50

• The three winners will be invited to read their poems at a press conference on Wednesday, May 6th, when the Proclamation for Women’s Health Week is issued.
• Winners and finalists will receive certificates signed by the Governor’s Women’s Health Advisory Council.
• All finalists will be invited to attend a free writing workshop with Emily Morelli and a performance workshop with Jessica Helen Lopez at UNM campus on May 13. And the top three winners will also receive free tuition to make their own wellness journals at a workshop with artists Becky Holtzman and Valerie Roybal on May 10.

SUBMISSION GUIDELINES:
• One submission of up to 75 lines (approximately 2 pages) per person.
• Subject Matter: Poems should be about making healthy choices, living in a healthy community, or teen wellness.
• Eligibility: Entrant must be a female student in an Albuquerque area high school.
• Due Date: All entries must be received by April 25, 2009. They should be emailed to nmwellteenprize@gmail.com as .doc or .rtf attachments. At the top of your poem, please include name, email and street address, phone number, the name of your high school and your grade level.

(Questions about submission process may be directed to Lisa Gill at lisannegill at gmail dot com.)

Welcome!

2009-03-26T10:20:00.000-07:00

This is the new blog of the NM Girls Institute. Stay tuned...