ATLANTA — Between the ages of 8 and 14, a girl’s confidence drops by 30 percent. That’s right in those awkward middle school years.
The organization Girl Talk in Atlanta works to restore that confidence and empower young girls by using voices young people will listen to: their peers.
For 35 minutes once a week before school, four high school girls lead the classroom at Holy Innocents’ Episcopal School.
They direct the discussion, ask insightful questions, and offer advice to a group of middle school girls about some of the toughest issues they face.
Teacher Hayley Rubin oversees from the corner.
“It’s not just grown-up problems, stress and anxiety and changing friend groups,” Rubin said. “It’s support coming from people who have been there recently enough to see themselves in the experience.”
Girl Talk started in Atlanta 21 years ago, inspired by a middle schooler who was having a hard time. The goal is to use peer-to-peer mentoring to help arm middle school girls with tools to deal with the daily pressures of life like bullying, social media, and stress.
The organization has since expanded across the country. Of the 100 clubs nationwide, 25 are in Georgia.
Lauren Hudson just started the 6th grade. She comes to Girl Talk every Friday.
“It’s helped me with stress and talking my feelings out,” Hudson said. “[It feels different talking to the high school girls instead of an adult] because they’ve been through this already. They’ve also done Girl Talk, so they know what we’re all going through.”
All four of the high school leaders were part of this group when they were in middle school. Now, they mentor the younger girls.
“I know exactly what they’re going through and how it feels,” 11th grader Alexandra Brown said. “I still struggle with many of the same things. I feel like these discussions also help me.”
The topic on this particular Friday was bullying. The girls took turns speaking, opening up about their experiences and offering reasons why someone might say hurtful things. There was no pause in the discussion.
“This is a safe space, at least I think that’s how they feel,” 11th grader Gabrielle Provosty said. “I think that’s why they feel like they can contribute to our discussions so easily.”
The organization says 92 percent of girls who participate report an increase in their confidence. The high school leaders vouch for that statistic.
“That confidence I’ve gotten from Girl Talk has helped me in school, like with public speaking and group projects,” Provosty said. “And just in general, I think I’ve become a more confident person because of it.”
Turns out all it takes is a little girl talk.
Click here to learn more about starting a chapter at your school.