Teaching Girls Advocacy – Sparking Change at the Texas Capitol
Teaching girls’ advocacy has never been more important, especially to girls of color. Helping girls find their voice and have the confidence to use it has important mental health benefits. If girls feel they can be successful (also called self-efficacy), they can be more resilient in the face of life's challenges, including ones posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.
This spring, several high school girls employed by the Spark Change Project learned more about issues in their communities. Then, they used this knowledge to testify to elected officials during Texas’ Legislative session.
Sparking Change by Teaching Girls Advocacy
Girls learning how to become activists and testifying at the Texas Capitol was one of the goals of the Spark Change Project, a partnership between the Girls Empowerment Network and the Excellence & Advancement Foundation.
With the support of The Upswing Fund, PIMCO Foundation, New York Life Foundation, Six Square, FVF Law, Favor, and a community of other advocates- these two organizations launched this initiative to center girls of color as leaders in advocacy, help them discover their activist voices, and galvanize their peers to advocate for positive social change.
High school facilitators of the Spark Change Project located in Austin, Houston, and San Antonio have been working on advocacy projects in person and virtually all year, including a Spark Change Town Hall Meeting, Spark Change Day Virtual Event, and Spark Change Camp. One girl submitted an op-ed, which was published in the Austin Chronicle about an issue she cares about.
Advocating for Issues Girls Care About
If you thought speaking in front of an older crowd of legislators was easy, think again. Three peer facilitators traveled to the Texas Capitol to speak in support of five different bills. Alison A. Fernández, Dhiya Dhandapani, and Aryana Mosaffa had not more than five days to prepare for their public testimony because bills that would come up in a hearing were not announced further in advance. It was even more impressive that these girls were able to respond so quickly and prepare on a short timeline!
Dhiya Dhandapani covered HB 3485, a bill relating to how data is tracked and how parents are informed about policies regarding school discipline. She also gave testimony for HB 1144 relating to teacher staff development for suicide prevention and mental health training.
Alison Fernández spoke in support of HB 4257. This bill focused on trauma informed care policy to address a school district’s plan to support students, teachers, and staff through mental health first aid and mental health provider referrals.
She also gave testimony for SB 179 and SB 3, against classroom censorship.
Aryana Mosaffa and Alison Fernández covered SB 179 requires school counselors to spend at least 80 percent of their time performing counseling duties, such as emotional support and academic guidance. This was signed by the governor and made effective September 1, 2021.
With the support of adult mentors, Spark Change Facilitators testified to local policy makers, developed a policy agenda, improved positive racial and gender identity, took action on community issues, led their peers in activism and advocacy and increased self-efficacy in leadership, advocacy, collaboration, and communication skills.
How Did Girls Feel About Testifying Publicly?
The Student Spark Change Facilitators were ecstatic after sharing their thoughts with legislators. Alison Fernández had this to say: “I was tired of feeling silenced and like nobody is listening to the hurts of my friends, my brother, my peers. However, I got up and felt this burning fire in my belly that kept on a roaring, hungry for change, for empathy, and to talk and finally have someone listen.”
In full support of HB 4257, Alison believes that educators need to be equipped with the knowledge and skills to support the mental health and well-being of students in crisis.
"Adding mental health aid will allow educators to identify their student’s needs and provide them with safety and comfort, coping mechanisms, and stabilize their worries by connecting with them."
Overcoming Fear and Gaining Strength
The Spark Change Project was two years ahead of having girls testify at the Texas Capitol, and we are incredibly in awe of the Peer Facilitators' accomplishments. Alison, Dhiya, and Aryana showed us how passion turns into action.
“People might not think that girls, especially those of color, could reach the goals they did, but the fact they were able to testify publicly so quickly showed that when we provide individual support, girls can grow their skills and confidence tremendously, reaching goals they never thought possible,” Courtney Robinson, Ph.D., founder of the Excellence & Advancement Foundation.
Reaching our major goal the first year of the Spark Change Project only proves the need to support girls of color in not just finding their power but using their power.
The Public Education Committee heard from youth in Texas who are directly affected by the bills up for decision. “From working with these young leaders,” says Girls Empowerment Network Senior Program Coordinator Adreayn Torrez, “I know that they are ready for change and ready to be those who influence change.”
What Now?
The Spark Change Project will be recruiting a new class of student Spark Change Facilitators through WHEN.
If you know of Texas girls of color in grades 9-12 who are interested in a paid position to learn more about advocacy, leadership and civic engagement, please encourage them to apply today.
The Spark Change Project's mission is to center girls of color as leaders in advocacy, who discover their activist voices, and galvanize their peers to engage in their own passions for positive social change.
The Spark Change Project (SCP) will empower, inspire, and train the next generation of female activists of color. SCP will center a small group of girls of color as leaders, who will gain a part time job, find their own activist voices, and galvanize a wider network of their peers to develop a policy agenda—through the delivery of a special Spark Change Day of advocacy.
Olivia West is the Marketing & Communications AmeriCorps VISTA for Girls Empowerment Network. A recent graduate of the University of Houston, she uses her creative talents to create better support systems for girls.