Program Spotlight: The Mighty Girl Empowerment Series

Every strong woman was once a child. The Des Moines Public Library’s Mighty Girl Empowerment series aims to give girls ages 10-12 the skills and information they need to find their inner mightiness as they mature.

Erica Eis, a children’s librarian at the Forest Avenue Library, began the program in 2019. She says the goal of the program is to foster well-being and build more resilient youth. “We provide the building blocks to support the development of self-respect and personel empowerment,” she says. Skills discussed over the course of the series include developing healthy relationships include family and friends, puberty and physical development, sexuality, mental health, and more.

The program provides girls with resources to help them develop healthy coping strategies they can use throughout their life. “Girls that are educated about themselves and their bodies in an inclusive and accepting environment are more likely to face and overcome challenges through a self-determined and empowered mindset,” says Eis.

After that initial program in 2019, a second series was held in February 2020, and a virtual series was held this past month. Alissa Cornick, a youth librarian at the Central Library, facilitated the most recent series. The girls taking part each received a kit containing a book on puberty and health, worksheets for each week, period kits, markers and crayons, and more.

“We didn’t know what to expect in terms of interest when we moved it virtually, but the response was amazing,” says Cornick. “We filled all 15 seats, and we had youth on the waiting list. Our last session was December 7, and attendance at each session was high.” She says the girls have done a great job relating the concepts they learn to their own experiences and sharing their insights with each other.

Diversity and inclusivity are an important part of the program. Eis says as they planned the program, they included several LGBTQIA+ and BIPOC (Black, indigenous, and people of color) partners in developing the curriculum. Those same partners then facilitate the programs as well to provide diverse points-of-view. A disclaimer on promotional materials reads: The Mighty Girl Empowerment Series recognizes and welcomes individuals who self-identify as genderfluid, non-binary, and transgender who seek inclusion in our programming.

Community partners in the Mighty Girl Empowerment Series include:

• Community Youth Concepts
• Iowa Safe School
• Planned Parenthood North Central States
• Polk County Health Department
• Young Women's Resource Center

“It’s an awesome program,” says Cornick. “It is so important that girls learn this information in a safe space where it’s okay to be curious.” She says they’ve had lots of support and positive feedback about program, adding that one women at the Central Library pickup window got misty-eyed seeing the poster, saying that she wished this kind of program was available when they were young.

The program is expected to continue in 2021. Check our events website, dmpl.org/events, to see the latest program schedule.