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-eight 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.)
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Our Vision
We envision a world where all girls believe in their power.
Girls Empowerment Network Guiding Values
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.
Growing Collective Power
We believe in the strength of power-sharing.
Our mission is only truly achievable through distributed leadership and a collaborative culture. Our network is strengthened through fostering self-efficacy and a growth mindset in all of us.
Girl & Youth-Centered Always
Your authentic self belongs here.
We affirm and celebrate the diverse perspectives and inherent power of girls*. We cultivate an intersectional and freeing third space - not school, not home - where every youth is empowered to show up authentically and feel encouraged to thrive.
Gender Liberation
We advocate for a world where every girl is free to live, learn, and lead.
We stand as advocates for gender justice, empowering a youth-led movement of changemakers committed to the ongoing journey for liberation and justice. We believe and trust all girls* and support their inner power to ignite change.
Genuine and Compassionate
We care about each other.
We are a heart-centered organization. Our work is grounded in love, community, and authenticity. We lead with infectious passion and role model our Seven Cs of Self-Efficacy (Collaboration, Communication, Creativity, Critical Thinking, Confidence, Coping Skills, and Changemaking)