This year’s “Sister-to-Sister” Summit for Middle School Girls takes place on Saturday, November 19, from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Kirk Alumni Center.
“Sister-to-Sister” brings together middle school girls from Bristol, Middlebury, and Vergennes with female Middlebury College students. In a one-day summit and in monthly follow-up events during the rest of the school year, the students develop activities that encourage girls to try new things outside of the classroom (art, music, dancing, yoga, journaling, etc.). “Sister-to-Sister” also focuses on discussions of such topics as body image, relationships, and identity.
A national program originally conceived by the American Association of University Women, “Sister-to-Sister” works to develop strategies that support girls. The program recognizes that in addition to teachers and textbooks, achievement is affected by what happens in the hallways, between classes, and even outside of school. “Sister-to-Sister” strives to make a positive difference by giving a voice to the needs and interests of middle school girls. The program provides a “safe space” to talk about the challenges that girls face in this day and age. It enables girls to develop friendships with other girls, even if they don’t go to the same school.
The program is supported by roughly 100 volunteers and financial sponsors such as Chellis House (Middlebury College’s Women’s Resource Center), Middlebury College’s Center for Education in Action, Neat Repeats, and the National Bank of Middlebury. “Sister-to-Sister allowed me to get involved in the Middlebury community by connecting me with fellow students, faculty, and staff members, volunteers and most importantly, middle school girls,” says Grace Giles, a Middlebury College graduate, who was involved with the program for three years. “Every generation represented in our sisterhood is experiencing the environment we live in through a different lens. When we communicate our perspectives, our lives become so much richer.”
All events are free. To register or organize transportation, please contact Karin Hanta at ext. 5937 or khanta@middlebury.edu.