We have deep Texas roots with strong Texas women.
A Little History
Originally called The Ophelia Project, Girls Empowerment Network a 501(c)(3) was created in 1996 by twelve concerned mothers raising adolescent girls in Austin, Texas. Inspired by the book Reviving Ophelia by Dr. Mary Pipher, these mothers met to address an increasing trend among middle school aged girls – a systematic decline and sometimes permanent loss of self-esteem, the outcome of which can be devastating: epidemic levels of anorexia/bulimia, self-mutilation, depression, low academic achievement, teen pregnancy, and drug abuse.
Twenty-five years later, we help girls 3rd-12th grades discover they are powerful across Central Texas, Houston, and Dallas. We do this by teaching self-efficacy, which is a girl’s belief in her ability to succeed. Whether she is shooting for an A, overcoming a bully, becoming the first in her family to go to college, breaking up with an abusive partner, or just trying to take care of herself when she feels like no one else will – when a girl experiences our self-efficacy curriculum, she realizes she can do it and she becomes powerful.
Our Mission
We ignite the power in girls by teaching them the skills to thrive and believe in their ability to be unstoppable. This mission comes to life in our programs through a curriculum designed to increase each girl's self-efficacy (her belief in her ability to succeed.)
Get to Know Our People
Our Vision
We envision a world where all girls believe in their power.
Girls Empowerment Network Way
These values guide how we live every day to support our mission and vision.
This is what it means to be part of the Girls Empowerment Network team.
Be the Spark
We lead with infectious passion. We role model our Seven Cs (collaboration, communication, confidence, coping skills, creativity, critical thinking, and changemaking).
Shout Out
We lift each other up.
We listen to every voice.
Ring the Bell
We prove our impact.
We celebrate girlhood.