Middle school stinks. Let’s be honest. While some of us reveled in this pre-teen phase, most of us remember cliques, insecurities, hurt feelings, low self-esteem, confusion, ‘trying to be cool,’ and DRAMA.
Luckily for middle school girls today, there is a light at the end of the tunnel due to the determination of one remarkable girl. Rather than simply pushing the dark days of middle school into the depths of her memories, Haley Kilpatrick has used her memories of middle school to make a difference in the lives of tens of thousands of middle school girls worldwide.
Haley is the founder of the nation-wide nonprofit organization, Girl Talk, which creates a place for high school girls to mentor middle school girls through this dramatic and difficult time in their lives. Through regular meetings and activities, high school leaders help explore topics such as bullying, body image, gossip, friendship and stress. These meetings provide the middle school girls an opportunity to open up, vent, and recognize that they are not alone in their troubles. Girl Talk was first established in Albany, GA in 2001 when Haley was only 15 years old, having now grown influence having served over 35,000 participants and currently has more than 130 active chapters in 46 states and in six countries including South Africa, Canada, England, and Marshall Islands.
Haley says that her ultimate goal is to “…use Girl Talk as a vehicle to raise our girls to be kind to others now, so that we can help an entire generation be kind and stem the tide of negative behaviors that can stay with girls through life.” Haley, and those working with this organization, will not be satisfied until the 11.7 million middle school girls in the United States all have access to a Girl Talk Organization.
Girl Talk has further expanded its work to include week long summer camps led by high school Girl Talk Leaders. During the camp, members participate in ‘Project Inside Out’ allowing them to recognize the beauty within themselves – learning how to show and share this with peers. These summer camps will be taking place in Atlanta, Denver, St. Louis, Raleigh, Chattanooga, and Albany, Georgia in 2014.
Haley has also put her perspective and insights into a book entitled The Drama Years: Real Girls Talk about Surviving Middle School-Bullies, Brands, Body Image, and More. This book can serve as a guide for parents and other adults to better help girls through middle school. Haley says, “It’s filled with practical strategies from tween and teen mentors to help adults understand the issues girls are facing today.” Haley’s advice stems from anecdotes and insight from real girls around the country.
The Drama Years highlights ‘Three Takeaways to Downplay the Drama,’ including an anchor activity, a peer mentor/adopted older sister, and an element of community service. This gives kids an opportunity to gain a sense of purpose while getting the guidance they need. The only Girl Talk rule: There is a zero tolerance policy for anything less than unconditional love.
Amy Orlando and I are proud to announce that our friendship bracelet company, Chummies, will be partnering with Girl Talk this year in order to join forces in the fight for inclusion, acceptance, and building self esteem amongst our middle school population. We are hoping that the moms of Mommybites will join us in our mission to put an end to the bullying and insecurities that our youth face. What can you do? Tell your local school districts about Girl Talk: all they need to get started is an adult volunteer, a couple of high school girls willing to act as mentors, and middle school girls who are looking for some guidance through middle school. Check out https://www.arabickeyboardonline.com/ to learn more!
Join Chummies and Girl Talk in our mission for inclusion, acceptance, and a better tomorrow for middle school girls across the nation.
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