GEN's Voice

Issue 21

March 2003

In This Issue:

Here’s what’s going on in March:

"Engineering and High Tech Careers: From Dreams to Reality."
Join young Austin women who've "made it" in the high-tech and engineering fields for a look at the relationship between self-confidence and math and science, and how experiences in middle school can make or break career opportunities for girls. Speakers will help de-mystify these fields and offer advice about what parents and educators can do to encourage girls in math and science.
Monday, March 3, 7 - 8:30 p.m., Hill Country Middle School. For girls and their parents.

"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 lunch 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.
Wednesday, March 5, lunchtime, Covington Middle School, 3700 Convict Hill Road. For girls and parents.

"How to Father a Successful Daughter."
Michael Hayes offers a 10-point plan for strengthening father-daughter bonds, supporting daughters in healthy choices, and guiding girls toward competence, confidence and success in career and relationships. Hayes is the former Executive Director of the Texas Fragile Families Initiative and the father of an adolescent girl.
Monday, March 24, 7 - 8:30 p.m., West Ridge Middle School. (Call school at 732-9243 for location.) For fathers only.

We'd like to introduce you to one of our Honorary Board Members, Dr. Pat Forgione, who is well known as the superintendent of Austin Independent School District.

Dr. Forgione's career in education has spanned more than 30 years, affording him the opportunity to serve children and communities in a variety of ways. Immediately prior to coming to Austin, Dr. Forgione served a three-year Presidential appointment as Commissioner of the National Center for Education Statistics in Washington, D.C. Other prominent leadership positions have included: State Superintendent of Public Instruction for Delaware, Executive Director of the National Education Goals Panel, and Director of the Division of Research, Evaluation and Assessment for the Connecticut Department of Education.

In addition, he has served as a university faculty member, research fellow, public school administrator, and a classroom teacher. Dr. Forgione has earned numerous honors and appointments and is recognized both nationally and internationally for his expertise in research, evaluation, accountability, and educational reform. He earned his doctorate of philosophy in administration and policy from Stanford University in 1977.

We are lucky to have such accomplished leadership on our Honorary Board.

These are difficult times for our schoolchildren. The violence that pervades our society spills over onto the classroom and playground every day and challenges children like never before. GENaustin has taken a bold step to illuminate the issue of school violence by bringing a nationally recognized leader, Rosalind Wiseman to address the issue of school violence on April 10, 2003. Rosalind Wiseman is president of the Empower Program in Washington, D.C. an organization working with youth and teachers to end the culture of violence among our children. Ms. Wiseman recently authored the book, Queen Bees and Wannabees: Helping Your Daughter Survive Cliques, Gossip, Boyfriends, and Other Realities of Adolescence and has been featured on nationally televised shows like “Oprah” and “Nightline,” as well as publications such as New York Times Magazine. Please contact the GENaustin office at 414-0472 to get on our invitation list for this special event.

Middle school girls have a lot to say to Dads when they know they are listening:

• "Don't look at the TV. Look at us when we talk to you."
• "Don't freak out if I even say the word, 'boy.'"
• "Play soccer with me in the back yard."
• "Spend time with me."
• "Don't yell or slam doors. It's scary."
• "Take me shopping!"

And Dads can't help but get a little teary-eyed as they tell their daughters:

• "We know you're growing up and it confuses us."
• "Be patient with us."
• "We know more than you. So listen to us sometimes."
• "Don't be so emotional when you talk to us."
• "Spend time with us. We miss you."

These requests and admonitions were shared by girls and their fathers as they sought to explore obstacles and opportunities for communicating with each other during the "Dads & Daughters: Heart to Heart" presentation at Mendez Middle School on February 13. Dr. Juan Sanchez, Executive Director of the Southwest Key Program, facilitated the special Valentine's Day breakfast event for the fourth year in a row. Some 17 fathers and 20 girls attended. GENaustin annually sponsors the presentation as a way to help fathers better understand the needs and challenges of their middle school daughters.

Tara is thirteen. She likes to go to the mall. . .and she wrestles boys. On her journey to the national championships, she battles critics who believe girls shouldn't wrestle boys; she struggles with her father' s drive for her to succeed; and she fights with her own body to control her weight.

GIRL WRESTLER is an hour-long documentary by Austin director and producer Diane Zander that follows Tara Neal, a Texas teenager who challenges cultural expectations of what sport she, as a girl, should compete in and with whom she should wrestle. It follows a crucial period in Tara's wrestling career - the last year that she is allowed to wrestle boys. When Tara enters high school, her opportunities to compete will virtually disappear under state guidelines because so few girls wrestle.

From allegations of referee bias against girl wrestlers to coaches who proclaim their vehement hatred of Title IX, the federal statute that grants women's athletics proportionality in public schools, GIRL WRESTLER personalizes the clash of gender and sports in American culture and, in particular, the current policy debates over Title IX. Tara navigates the same environment of hostility that produced the recent lawsuit by the National Wrestling Coaches Association against the Department of Education to repeal Title IX.

Over the course of the season, Tara confronts personal struggles that range from her family to controlling her weight. Ultimately, Tara's story highlights the universal nature of such conflicts, as well as illuminating such broader social issues as the social construction of masculinity and femininity, athleticism and eating disorders, gender discrimination in organized athletics, and the meaning and value of sport in American culture.

GIRL WRESTLER will have its world premiere in the upcoming South By Southwest Film Festival in Austin, Texas, before touring in documentary and video festivals nationwide. The schedule for the documentary at South By Southwest is as follows:

11 a.m. Sunday, March 9 at the Paramount Theatre, 713 Congress Avenue (between 7th and 8th). Screening will be followed by a Q&A; with director-producer Diane Zander. Single tickets available for $6 one hour prior to the screening at the Paramount box office, 713 Congress Avenue, 512-476-6064.

7 p.m. Wednesday, March 12 at the Paramount Theatre (address above) as part of the Texas Documentary Tour, co-sponsored by the Austin Film Society. Screening will be open captioned for deaf and hearing-impaired audiences. To be followed by a Q&A; with Diane Zander. Single tickets will be available for $6 one hour prior to the screening at the Paramount box office, information above.

4 p.m. Saturday, March 15 at the Austin Convention Center, 4th Street at Trinity. Screening will be open captioned for deaf and hearing-impaired audiences. To be followed by a Q&A; with Diane Zander. Single tickets available for $6 one hour prior to screening at the ticket window.

GIRL WRESTLER is the latest project of Diane Zander, a lecturer in media production at the University of Texas at Austin who previously worked on the Emmy award-winning documentary MOVING STORIES. Her film and video work has been shown at festivals across the country and she also has lectured at international conferences on feminist documentary practice.

For more information, please contact Mary Beltrán at (512) 912-9571 or [email protected], or Diane Zander at 512/471-4952 or [email protected].

Everywoman's Self Defense is offering a personal safety workshop on Sunday, March 16, 1 - 4pm. The program is for women, taught by women and covers all kinds of strategies and scenarios, including de-escalation, acquaintance assault, and verbal and physical techniques.

No previous physical experience is required, and all ages and abilities are welcome. The class is $50 per person, and partial need-based scholarships are available. Advance registration is required. To find out more and/or to register in advance please go to http://www.everywomans-selfdefense.org or call 416-9735.

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

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This site was last updated on 10/26/2004.

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