GEN's Voice

Issue 17

November 2002

GENaustin’s web site now features current programs on the home page. Go to www.GENaustin.org anytime to see what events are coming up. Here’s what’s going on in November:

"Dilemmas of Desire"
Deborah Tolman, Ed.D., will discuss her new book, which focuses on how teen girls experience and deal with sexual feelings and consequences for sexual health as adults. Sponsored by Austin Women's Psychotherapy Project. $15 adults, $5 students. Dr. Tolman is the director of the Gender & Sexuality Project at Wellesley College.
Friday, November 1, 7 – 9 p.m., St. Edward's Jones Auditorium. For girls and parents.

“Are You Listening to Me?”
By Judy Farmer, Executive Director, Texas Partnership for Education. Attend this popular session and discover more effective ways to communicate with your pre-teen or adolescent daughter. Walk in her shoes and help her feel heard and understood. Through group interaction and activities, parents will leave the workshop more prepared to communicate effectively with the important people in their lives.
Monday, November 4, 7 – 8:30 p.m., Hill Country Middle School, 1300 Walsh Tarlton (south of Bee Caves Rd. at Walsh Tarlton) For parents.

“Me Behind the Wheel: Finding Your Inner Rock Star on the Road to Success.”
Thinking of following your dreams? Whatever they may be, the road to success can be a wild ride. Find out what to bring with you, how to make a road map, even what to do if you get lost. Best of all, find out how to start packing your bags now! Austin songwriter/recording artist Trish Murphy has been a Texas favorite since the release of her first record in 1997. She tours the U.S. and Europe and is currently working on her fourth album.
Tuesday, November 5, 6:30 – 8 p.m., Chisholm Trail Middle School library, 500 Oakridge Dr. (one mile west of I-35 and Hwy. 620 at Deepwood) For girls.

“Mood Music: How Girls and Parents Should Listen.”
Girls are twice as likely to become seriously depressed in adolescence, and 30% contemplate suicide. Knowing the difference between normal sadness and serious depression, between healthy anger and unhealthy acting out, and the relationship of stress to moods is important for girls and parents. Many of the emotional changes girls experience are due to fluctuations in body chemistry that are normal in adolescence. A local therapist will discuss signs and symptoms and offer resources for dealing with these emotional issues.
Thursday, November 7, noon – 1 p.m., Paredes Middle School, 10100 S. Mary Moore Searight Dr. (south of Slaughter near Manchaca) For girls and parents.

“Are You Listening to Me?”
By Judy Farmer, Ex. Dir., Texas Partnership for Education. Attend this popular session and discover more effective ways to communicate with your pre-teen or adolescent daughter. Walk in her shoes and help her feel heard and understood. Through group interaction and activities, parents and girls will leave the workshop more prepared to communicate effectively with the important people in their lives.
Wednesday, November 13, 11a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Covington Middle School, 3700 Convict Hill (just south of Wm. Cannon & Brodie Lane) For girls and their parents. Attendance is limited.

“Keep Her Interested in Math.”
Mathematics is the key to keeping options open for paths to all careers. Unfortunately, many young teen girls begin to fall off the math track, even if they are talented! Parents and daughters are invited to a fun, hands-on evening full of games that encourage girls to think about math in new ways. Vera Preston-Jaeger, Ph.D., has been involved in educating and speaking to the issue of women in math and sciences on a national level.
Thursday, November 14, 6:30 – 8 p.m., Dripping Springs Middle School, PTA meeting, middle school cafeteria (Call school at 512-858-4902 for directions.) For girls and parents.

This month’s volunteer spotlight shines on Heather McKissick who co-led the training of high school facilitators and adult sponsors for clubGEN in October.

Heather is an organizational development and communication specialist with specific expertise in leadership development, change management, and workgroup facilitation. She is currently on a long-term project at the Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA), assisting their Corporate Services business unit develop comprehensive action plans for improved employee engagement and workplace communication. The former Manager of Learning and Performance for the LCRA, Heather managed the creation, development, and delivery of learning and performance enhancement programs for more than 1,700 employees across the state of Texas. She is also a former Global Communication Specialist for Motorola Semiconductor Product Sector, where she developed a virtual global feedback process that was implemented to gather and integrate feedback from cross-functional and cross-cultural teams worldwide.

Adding to her expertise in business communication and curriculum development, Heather is the former Assistant Dean of Humanities at St. Edward's University, where she also served as a faculty member and advisor to graduate and undergraduate students.

She is the recent curriculum co-chair for Leadership Austin, a highly-competitive leadership development program now in its 24th year. Heather is a current and former board member of many local area non-profit organizations, including the American Society for Training and Development. 

Heather had these words to say about her involvement in GENaustin: “GENaustin's contemporary approach to empowering young women and girls to think critically, and act responsibly, is of extraordinary value to the Austin community. The group takes a positive, solution-oriented approach and helps people make their own decisions rather than imposing a philosophy or lifestyle upon them. It is exceptionally valuable work, and I'm proud to have been a very small part of it.”

We really appreciate the help of volunteers like Heather. Without them, we couldn’t accomplish all that we do.

The National Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy recently released information on the impact of mothers on their children’s sexual behavior. An analysis of the longitudinal data of the national Add Health study finds that teens’ relationships with their mothers matter—a lot. Teens who report that these relationships are close or satisfying are at significantly lower risk for getting involved in sexual relationships, especially in early and middle adolescence. Perceived closeness was the key protective factor against early sex; simply doing activities together was not enough. The study also found that only half of the mothers were aware that their son or daughter had become sexually active during the course of the year studied. The bottom line: parents should keep talking, and keep listening, to maintain honest channels of communication.

To gain skills for communicating with your teen, you can attend our program entitled “Are You Listening to Me?” which is being offered on the following dates in November:

November 4, 7 – 8:30 p.m., Hill Country Middle School, 1300 Walsh Tarlton (south of Bee Caves Rd. at Walsh Tarlton) For parents.

November 13, 11:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m., Covington Middle School, 3700 Convict Hill (just south of Wm. Cannon & Brodie Lane) For girls and their parents. Attendance is limited.

On Saturday October 5th, GENaustin hosted the 2nd annual clubGEN training for approximately 80 high school girls and their sponsors. Kicking off the early morning event was local musician Trish Murphy. Trish dedicated two songs to the eager high school facilitators and offered her words of wisdom as inspiration. Citing some of the difficulties she has faced as a female artist in the very competitive music business, Trish encouraged the girls to believe in themselves as they make their way in this world and to never doubt their inner strength.

After the performance, the girls began the training. Not only did these girls learn how to start a clubGEN program at their school but they also gained valuable facilitator training skills and practical health education information, as well. The training concluded with an exciting Q&A; session where prizes like CD’s and designer pillows were given away to the first girl who gave the correct answer.

Over the next few months, we look forward to the creativity and hard work these amazing girls will accomplish as they mentor local middle school girls in their community.

GENaustin's programs are made possible through the generous support of 3M, Alice Kleberg Reynolds Meyer Foundation Applied Materials, Austin Ventures, Brown McCarroll, the Michael and Susan Dell Foundation, Hogg Foundation, IBM, Milkshake Media, Southwest Airlines and Xopix Productions.

When you make a purchase at the following places part of your purchase goes to help fund GENaustin.

• Randall's (Remarkable Card code 9033)
• Greatergood.com
• iGive.com
• Bookpeople.com

Also, mention GENaustin when you shop at Giada, a unique boutique and gift shop just west of downtown, and 2% of your sale will go directly to GENaustin. GENaustin is excited to be a part of Giada's Community Investment Program. Giada is located at 704 West Sixth Street, a block west of Katz' Deli, 457-8881.

This site was last updated on 04/04/2005.

Copyright © GENaustin, Inc. 2001. All rights reserved. GEN, GENaustin, and GENaustin logos used and displayed herein are registered and unregistered trademarks of GENaustin, Inc. All other trademarks, service marks and logos used herein are the property of their respective owners. Email us at office@genaustin.org.