(ThyBlackMan.com) “Black girls need to know that they matter. They need to see examples of success, leadership, achievement, sisterhood, compassion, humanitarianism, in abundance so that they
can gain confidence in their ability to become their best and greatest selves.” Black Girls Rock Inc. Founder Beverly Bond
The upcoming gathering of girls and women in the United State of Women https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tFyd0H0tpes, to be held in Washington D.C. on Monday, June 13th 2016 shows that girls and women can accomplish great things in their communities, their cities, in their schools, churches and across this nation.
The growing presence of girls and women in STEM / STEAM related careers is expanding girls and women opportunities to influence the greater good of their professions and opening doors for other girls and women to enter into nontraditional careers.
That perceivable “Glass Ceiling” has shattered in millions of shards representing the challenges that girls and women have faced and continue to overcome. This event will highlight the accomplishments, challenges, excellence, intellect and intelligence of girls and women. 
Lead by First Lady Michelle Obama, Oprah Winfrey, Black Girls Rock Inc. Founder Beverly Bond and others accomplished women in their professions ranging from education, technology, medicine, science, politics, religion and the diverse careers and entrepreneurial endeavors that girls and women are involved in.
Expanding their intellectual diversity to show girls and women it is cool to be creative, intellectual and an innovator in their passions.
As a parent and educator I hope this encourages all girls of color and culture in Jacksonville, Florida to excel academically and athletically. Embracing their Nerdiness, Blerdiness, Geekiness, and STEAMiness (Science Technology Engineering Arts Mathematics (Medicine). Parents have a continued responsibility to encourage their children to be engaged in learning every day.
Parents that have a struggling child in reading, math, language arts and other academic areas will be held accountable if their child is not successful in school, their children are potentially being setup for under employment, unemployment, and being left behind economically and socially if they are unwilling to work with educators to see that their children put forth the effort to succeed and understand the value of education.
This past school year should be an indication to parents that if their daughter is not where they are supposed to be academically and socially there should be interventions during the summer to prepare for the next school year. There are great role models in athletics and entertainment, but there should be increased recognition of the academic achievements and community volunteering by our girls and women of color and culture.
This blog shares the continued successes of Natalie McGriff and Taylor Richardson of Jacksonville, Florida who have been invited to Washington, D.C. for their academic and community accomplishments.
To participate in this wonderful gathering of girls and women that are accomplishing great things in their communities, their schools, in their churches and across this great nation.
“United State of Women”
http://www.theunitedstateofwomen.org/
14 reasons why we need to support all girls like #MoxieGirl and #AgentofSTEAM
1. They are positive role models for girls and young women in their communities, in their city, in their state and nationally.
2. Mainstream media does not always depict girls and women of color and culture in a positive light as they should. They are too often shown in poverty and uneducated.
3. They give back to their community in examples of improving literacy, importance of reading, the value of comprehension and career choices in STEAM, STEM, STREAM, CSTEM STEM2 for girls and young women of color and culture.
4. They are students in public education and are successful academically and in social behaviors.
5. They experience the same challenges girls of color and culture experience every day related to hair, skin tones, language, economics and academics, they can relate to their sisters of color and culture in their struggles.
6. They have mothers that are very supportive and sacrifice daily for their children’s success.
7. They still experience “haters,” those that are jealous, and lost in low self-esteem, but still strive forward for success and providing positive self-esteem and cultural respect and value.
8. They work to balance their academic lives by keeping school first.
9. They continue to be humble in their accomplishments.
10. Their participation in the media is a positive representation not only of being girls of color, but girls of intelligence and intellect.
11. Their successes can be shared with boys of color and culture too inspire them as well.
12. Their mothers keep life “real” about who they are and how the world may see them as well.
13. They understand the importance of “sisterhood” and how girls of color and culture are sometimes targets of criticism, low expectations and culturally challenged.
14. Their mothers show other mothers they should understand the commitment needed to help their children grow beyond their current levels of knowledge, ability and skill level.
The community should encourage all girls and boys of color and culture to embrace their talents, skills and abilities. Parents of color and culture need to reinforce that they have a responsibility to lift each other up and not to hate on, gossip, disrespect, negatively talk about those that are opening doors that other girls and boys of color and culture can walk through.
Resources:
Michelle Obama announces United State of Women
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NqwmQ_3bjR8
The United State of Women
http://www.theunitedstateofwomen.org/
The United State of Women
https://www.facebook.com/TheUnitedStateofWomen/
Staff Writer; William D. Jackson
Find out more about this talented writer over at; OCS For Education.
