Girl Up is an international organization as well as a club at Haverford High School that focuses on young women’s empowerment. In the Haverford chapter, members spread kindness and love throughout the community and provide a safe space for young women. Girl Up, sponsored by Kathleen Kelly, aims to “combat gender discrimination and ensure women are empowered to truly be their authentic selves and succeed in their goals/aspirations,” said the club’s president, Emerson Simmons. Simmons shared that as president, her goal in our community is to create a space where girls can share experiences and help fight for women’s equal rights. The club holds meetings that feature a variety of topics. Among the main topics are women’s situations across the globe and the rights of education everywhere. Simmons states that she wants to demonstrate to the school community that “just one voice can make a difference.”
The Haverford chapter hosts many fundraisers and activities. In October, Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the girls wrote notes for those struggling with breast cancer and sent them to an organization which will distribute the notes. This month for American Heritage Month, Girl Up is holding a clothing drive to “donate in the spirit of Thanksgiving,”said Simmons. She added that “Girl Up is an extremely active club at Haverford, and we pride ourselves on constantly holding new meetings and activities for the student body.”
This year, Girl Up has been able to provide free period products in every girls bathroom in the school which had been in the works for years. Period products are known to be expensive and at some times, hard to get. Providing them in school lessens the stress and pressure of having to bring or purchase your own. In the coming months, many new activities will be available, such as self-defense classes, discussions on various women’s rights issues, activities to raise awareness for sexual assault. It is more important now more than ever to stick together as women and fight for what is right.
Girl Up is an amazing organization and is constantly looking for new ways to empower women and get the community involved. Keep an eye out for fundraisers coming up!
Follow Girl Up on Instagram @girluphaverford.
