In October 1999, Marvinetta Woodley-Penn and Debra L. Harris planted seeds for a program targeting girls of color which would equip them with essential skills many “old-fashioned” mothers instinctively taught. Opal Walker, one of the first advisors, thought that global awareness and world travel should be included and offered the name, “Global Girls.” Since then, we’ve added staff, additional programs and moved a few times, but the vision of equipping girls with the skills, attitudes and experiences they need to become healthy, educated and contributing members of society continues to guide our path.
As participants learn dance, acting and story crafting skills, they also learn communication, presentation and leadership skills: essential social/emotional skills that can transform lives, influence families and empower communities. Our mission is to give girls voices to tell their stories and change lives. We empower today’s girls to meet tomorrow’s challenges and opportunities.
Global Girls office and meeting facilities are housed in Grand Crossing Park where we have been an Arts Partner in Residence for four years. The leadership team consists of highly qualified artists in their own right who are personally committed to the “Global Girl” way integrity, investigation and intention.
Mission
Our mission is to equip African-American girls with skills that nurture their individual growth and inspire them to use their talents for positive change in their communities and throughout the world.
Vision
Globally, all girls have the ability to voice their stories, create opportunities, and actualize their dreams.
Global Girls Core Values
Integrity, Empathy, Initiative, Excellence
Global Girls Purpose
We engage girls, 8 to 18 in the performing arts and equip them with strong communication and life skills. Our driving focus is to create and stage stories that help us understand our realities. The result is socially conscious, participant driven theatre that gives voice to individual and peer issues and concerns. Global Girls’ ‘Globes’ develop a strong foundation of confidence in their own ideas, curiosity about the world around them, faith in their talents and abilities, and courage to become the change they want to see.
Staff
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Marvinetta Penn, Executive Director, mpenn @ globalgirlsinc.org
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Shannon Woods, Business Manager, swoods @ globalgirlsinc.org
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Michae’ Wilson, Teaching Artist, mwilson @ globalgirlsinc.org
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Shawneita Irvin, Teaching Artist jmartin @ globalgirlsinc.org.
Board Members
- Debra Hamlet Board Chair (Officer)
- Lavonne Hill, Member
- Julia Perkins, Secretary/Treasurer
- Natalie Bennett, Member
- Laura Saunders, Youth Representative
