“Rosie’s Girls taught me that girls really can do what men do and that we can be successful.” – JK (Age 12)
Building Strong Girls
Rosie’s Girls® is a unique summer program for 11-13-year-old girls designed to introduce girls to STEM-related careers and build self-esteem, physical confidence, interpersonal cooperation and leadership through learning and applying basic skills in carpentry and other technical trades.
The program gets its name from the fictional character "Rosie the Riveter," who symbolized the emerging strength and power of women who went to work in the defense plants while men were fighting World War II. Rosie has inspired generations of women to take the path less traveled and to do it with courage and conviction.
The 2018 YWCA camp session will run on weekdays from 8:45 a.m. – 3 p.m. July 9 – July 27 at Holmes High School in Covington, KY.
What are the Outcomes of YWCA Rosie’s Girls?
Rosie’s Girls program goals:
Encourage girls to consider careers in non-traditional fields
Expand math and science skills
Challenge the expectations our society has for girls and women
Strengthen girls’ voices
Develop a broader sense of self and capabilities
Develop communication, teamwork and leadership skills
Who can be a YWCA Rosie's Girl?
Participants are girls entering sixth, seventh and eighth grades, ranging in age from 11-13 years.
What happens at YWCA Rosie's Girls?
Carpentry The girls begin by learning basic skills such as hammering and sawing. The skills are applied in both take-home projects and in projects designed to meet an identified community need. For example, participants make and keep their own toolboxes and build a project as a group to donate to a local community service organization.
Other Trades Rosie’s Girls® programs expose participants to a variety of other technical trades fields, which might include:
welding
plumbing
auto mechanics
electrical wiring
engineering
architecture
surveying
concrete finishing
computer technology
A Girls’ World
A time to reflect on the Rosie's Girls experience, challenge stereotypes and learn how to negotiate and deflect the myths about women in construction. Some examples of activities include:
Media collage: An activity designed to help girls look critically at the portrayal of women in the media.
Mentor presentations: Women who have chosen non-traditional occupations speak about their careers and the challenges and opportunities they have faced.
What Participants and Their Parents Have To Say
Participants:
Rosie’s Girls helped me…
“Have a greater respect for these trades.”
“Learn that I use math everyday.”
“Learn to do things myself.”
“Learn about jobs I want in the future”
“How to use a miter box.”
“I can do anything I set my mind to.”
“Learn about more trades and to be independent.”
“Learn to use tools.”
“Not to give up.”
“To follow directions better.”
“Become a better person today, because now I am confident in myself and they helped me believe I can do anything.”
Additionally, parents indicated that their daughters' participation in the camp changed their relationship by increasing communication and connection. In fact, 100% of participants and parents reported that they discussed what they learned at camp, and 83% of campers reported that they shared a lot with their family members. Here's what else parents have said about the impact of the camp on their daughters' lives:
“She learned things to make her more independent.”
“She is more interested in tools and doing things around the house.”
“Her dad was changing his brakes. She was super excited to help and show him what she knows.”
“This program has influenced her, and for once I hear her speak of what she wants to do in the future.”
Now and Tomorrow
The YWCA Greater Cincinnati and the Cincinnati Chapter of the National Association of Women in Construction partner to bring Rosie's Girls® to Greater Cincinnati. Camp sessions run for three weeks on weekdays in July from 8:45 a.m.-3 p.m. at Holmes High School in Covington, Ky.
Contact us and find out how you can help support this wonderful program and also learn about volunteer opportunities!
Jennifer Milani, Director of Youth Services and Transform YWCA Greater Cincinnati 898 Walnut Street Cincinnati, Ohio 45202 513-361-2135 jmilani@ywcacin.org
Learn more, get engaged, empower others, empower yourself.