GlobalGirl Media Training Academy & News Bureaus

This has been one of our busiest and exciting summers ever at GlobalGirl Media! 

#GirlsGovern

As mentioned in our previous report, we launched #GirlsGovern at the start of the season.  This nationwide initiative aims to empower young women to become active in civic leadership, and insert their voices into the national election dialogue so they can OWN THE MIC!   

With the support of over 35 like-minded organizations and partners, #GirlsGovern features a multi-tiered initiative which includes voting on a #GirlsGovern Bill of Rights to identify issues important to girls; an online video contest where girls can advocate for a specific issue; in-person digital media trainings in Colorado, New Hampshire and Wisconsin; and the culminating event, a Town Hall forum where girls can discuss issues with journalists, lawmakers and experts.

Girls from across the country have submitted video contest entries, which are now being evaluated by our judges.  Winners will be announced on August 15^th and one talented young woman will win the grand prize – a trip for two to attend our Town Hall in Washington D.C. on September 14^th, 2016.  Numerous girls have also spoken up and voted on the top issues that matter to them, helping us create the first ever Girls’ Bill of Rights (which will be presented at the Town Hall).  

Politicon

Our Los Angeles-based GlobalGirls had an exciting weekend at the end of June when they attended Politicon, the “Unconventional Convention”. Our reporters not only met Barbara Boxer and Van Jones, but also did a fantastic job interviewing attendees and speakers (including Rosario Dawson, Lizz Winstead, and Grace Parra) about girls' rights and issues – view their coverage. Thank you again to Participant’s Take Part and Pivot for sharing their booth in Democracy Village with us!  

In-State Trainings

We have now completed two of our three #GirlsGovern in-state mini trainings, where GGM Executive Director, Amie Williams, traveled to Colorado and Wisconsin. The Colorado training was conducted with a fabulous group of girls from the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe.  After their training in citizen journalism, the girls then headed up to Denver where they interviewed several inspiring female Senators and Representatives working in the Colorado State Legislature. View the result of all their hard work here.

Girls in Madison, Wisconsin proved to be equally amazing and really excelled in the training.  The girls also had the opportunity to interview remarkable female elected officials on both the local and state level.  Please view their Wisconsin Project Video!

The New Hampshire training is still to come and we are excited to share what the girls from NH will produce.

Democratic National Convention

Two of our GlobalGirl Reporters had the opportunity of a lifetime to cover the Democratic National Convention. We are so proud of Aimee and Imani who stepped up to the challenge and Owned the Mic at the DNC!  Their trip would not have been possible without the support of The Representation Project - many thanks to this amazing organization. News of Aimee's trip also caught the attention of Univision, ABC 7 Chicago News (video) and CBS Chicago (video).  

Aimee and Imani shared their convention stories during a webinar held in partnership with IGNITE.  During this special web conversation, Aimee and Imani not only shared their experiences, but also interviewed IGNITE convention ambassadors who attended the RNC and DNC.

Launch of GGM UK in London

And finally, we are thrilled to announce that GGM UK in London has launched! We are currently in the midst of our first training with a group of fantastic girls from diverse and under-served communities throughout London.  The training is taking place at South Thames College, Wandsworth - check out their first video here!  We are so excited to see what the London Bureau produces next.

Thank you to all of our supporters – we couldn’t do this meaningful work without you!