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In this issue, there's only one thing on our minds: our new name!
Ophelia has changed her name to GENaustin, which stands for
Girls Empowerment Network, Austin. Our new name and logo better express
our mission (empowering girls) and the format of our organization
(a network of girls, parents, teachers, volunteers, counselors and
friends). Because we design our programs to be in tune with the
unique needs of the community in which we serve, we feel it is
important that the city's name should be a part of how we're known
as well. In that spirit, don't be surprised if you see GENdallas,
GENnyc, or even a GENlondon in our future. We are proud that our
flagship program is Austin - a city known worldwide for its talent,
energy, and creativity. We are excited about starting the new
academic year with a new name, new look and new Speaker Series
events at a school near you!
We had lots of help in choosing our new name. GENaustin board
member Katherine Jones and her company, Milkshake Media, donated
countless hours of their time and brainpower to creating our name
and logo, which were designed to embody the core values of
GENaustin's leadership as well as our mission. Board members
completed a hefty questionnaire to help discern the group's
collective goals and vision. Kat Jones said she thinks the branding
exercises were helpful to the GENaustin board of directors
because they helped the board members get on the same page about
important issues like GEN's core audience and what makes GEN unique
among Austin non-profit groups.
"In the case of our board, there were many new members and a lot of
variety," she said. "I think this allowed the board to come together
and agree on what we are all about. It also allowed us to realize
that part of what makes us different from other organizations is
that we are all about promoting and developing self-esteem,
regardless of an individual girl's interests. This gives us a broad
focus so that we can partner with other girl-oriented organizations.
This partnering and this broad focus position us distinctly, and I
don't think any of us really thought about our organization that
way before-it gave us clarity."
Milkshake Media then used the board members' answers to brainstorm
hundreds of potential names-everything from the names of Greek
goddesses and women leaders to cool flowers and butterflies. But
GENaustin - the name that the board members and girls alike
preferred - was inspired in part by the popularity of acronyms
among its teenage audience (think J Lo, or Gen Y) and in part by
the local focus of our programs (and Austin is simply a fantastic
city!).
Next it was time to create a logo. We wanted something that would
pass the "T-shirt test" - something that would create an instant
association with confident, assertive girls, and something that
would be fun to wear. Our GEN girl is full of passion and energy,
almost like a modern Rosie the Riveter (the "We Can Do It" woman
from World War II posters). Adolescent girls were involved directly
in the creation of the new logo, and girls like the new look.
"I love the [GENaustin] character-she's young and energetic
and positive," noted Laura Panella, age 18. Another GENaustin
supporter, Lynda Dawson, age 16, said, "This is a wonderful network,
and it is so nice to know that there are supportive programs for
young girls out there. I think this is an effective logo. The
[GENaustin] girl's arm seems to portray a feeling of power,
like she can reach the stars!"
GENaustin extends a very warm thanks to all the staff at
Milkshake Media who contributed to the branding effort. In
particular we want to thank Jann Baskett, Brad Phillips,
Brandt Parker, Ed Temple and Megan Coghlan, who did a fantastic
job of designing the calendar for our 2001-02 Speaker Series.
Also, a tremendous thank-you goes out to Ed Temple, who made the
illustration that became the logo.
And speaking of the Series: GENaustin will sponsor its sixth
annual Speaker Series in Austin-area schools beginning in September.
GENaustin's workshops and events are led by local experts and
focus on various adolescent girl issues. The Series is free and
open to the public and is designed for girls ages 9-15, their
parents, teachers and other interested community members.
Highlights of the 2001-02 Series include the following
presentations:
- "Be All You Can Be," a workshop with Travis County
Sheriff Margo Frasier that explores her personal story of
beating the odds and rising to success in a male-dominated
profession.
- GENaustin's popular Mother/Daughter Retreat
invites moms and daughters to join counselors in a full day
of problem solving, communication skill building, games and
shaping their futures together.
- "Britney, Barbie, and Body Image: Media vs. Reality"
explores how our culture sends girls mixed messages about
food, beauty, and sex appeal and provides tools to outsmart
advertisers and industries that make careers out of
convincing girls to feel dissatisfied with their bodies.
- "Dads & Daughters: Heart-to-Heart" is a special
breakfast workshop led by Juan Sanchez, Executive Director
of the Southwest Key Program. The workshop helps dads
learn what they can do to encourage their daughters to
confide what they need from their fathers to feel more
confident, competent and strong.
Watch for our calendar, which will be distributed at schools and
community locations in August. We look forward to GENerating
positive change in Austin with you. Stay tuned!
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