Empowering Ourselves to Talk About
Our Sex & Sexuality

A conference for girls to explore their issues, their interests,
their talents and look for possibilities for their futures.

Friday, March 21, 2003
8:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m
Camden Opera House
Camden, Maine

Presented By Mainely Girls

Supported by the MBNA Foundation, the Messler Family Foundation, United Midcoast Charities, & Numerous Community Donors

Schedule of Events

SESSION I    9:45 - 11:15

Grades 6 - 8: Workshops

Dreaming About Becoming The Next World Renowned Chef?
Sign up for this session and cook with a pro! Chef Nelda McClellan, Market on Main, Rockland.

West African Drum & Dance!
Come dance to drums in this high energy expressive movement. Learn how girls in Africa dance to rythms that are the roots of Street funk, Hip Hop and the Blues! Dance instructor: Denyse Robinson.

"Flirting or Hurting?"
Simply the best video on the subject of harassment: what it is, how to prevent it, and how to handle it if it happens to you or someone you care about. Presented by North Haven’s Gail Schatzle, Guidance, Jamie Lane, Alicia Brown & Laura Barrett.

Zoey's E-Pals' Club!
Do you like computers? Do you want a chance to be a leader in your school? Girls from all over the state who are already participating in the E-Pals' Club will tell you about being Zoey's E-Pals' Club leaders and how to start your own Club at your school. Presenters: Erin Brockette and Vinitha Nair - Happy Dance Interactive.

Expressing Yourself through Art!
See what creativity lies within you, and let it out!

Mystery, Magic, the Moon and You!
An invitation to explore our connection to the moon, the tides, the seasons, and the rhythms of the earth. We will learn our Herstory. Come sing and dance and celebrate! Presenters: Rilla Bray -Outreach Education, Family Planning & Linda Zeigler, RNC - Women's Health Education, PBMC.

Sad and Blue?
Could it be depression? Talk it over with someone who can help you identify what's wrong, and provide you with ways to deal with it. Presenter: Catherine Becallo.

"Hear Us Speak!"
Six talented actresses speak out, dance and sing about life as a young person today. An original Playhouse Studio Production. Performers: Belfast Girls - Miriam, Gabi, Hannah, Eliza and Jennifer.

Shoot Your Own Video!
In this video scavenger hunt, you’ll learn the basics of video production through a hands-on process that will help you find your own voice. After an exciting hour of collecting interviews and B-roll footage throughout Camden, participants will return to screen their masterpieces and talk about what it means to be an imagemaker. Presenter: Filmmaker Beth Cohen.

Grades 9 - 12: Keynote

Empowering Ourselves To Talk About Our Sex and Sexuality: Recognizing Our Girl Power!
Uncover the truth about the media, its effects, and how to face our culture’s views of body image, relationships and gender roles. Presenter: Katie Brown, School Educator, Planned Parenthood of New England.

SESSION II 12:00 - 1:30

Grades 6 - 8: Keynote

Empowering Ourselves To Talk About Our Sex and Sexuality: Recognizing Our Girl Power!
Uncover the truth about the media, its effects, and how to face our culture’s views of body image, relationships and gender roles. Presenter: Katie Brown, School Educator, Planned Parenthood of New England.

Grades 9 - 12: Workshops

Dreaming About Becoming The Next World Renowned Chef?
Sign up for this session and cook with a pro! Chef Nelda McClellan, Market on Main, Rockland.

The Wisdom of Dance - Belly Dance for Beginners!
Come experience the beauty and power of interpretive Oriental Dance (belly dance) as we strive to connect body and spirit to simple dance movements. It is believed that the origins began as women dancing for women in the harem environment. Bellies of all sizes are encouraged to attend! Wear loose, comfortable clothing and bring a large scarf. Presenter: Dancer Lee Ann Beaulieu is a student of Patti Luchetti (Shalimar).

Happily Ever After: The Quest for Perfection
A program of songs, poetry and stories that deal with beauty, eating disorders, body image and self-esteem. The program will be followed with audience discussion. Presenter: Artist Jennifer Armstrong.

Finding Their Own Voices - Maine Women Tell Their Stories
Come listen to four women share their personal stories of how they found their voices and became who they are: Kate Cronin - Muriel Curtis - Nanny Kennedy - Penny Plourde. Leave with a free copy of the book that features them and 28 other exceptional Maine women. Introduced by author Jim Mitchell.

"Beyond Killing Us Softly: The Strength to Resist"
This excellent video-documentary examines the degrading media messages about girls and women. It looks at the media's impact on eating disorders and violence against women, and it offers practical solutions for fighting the negative media's impact. Don't just be aware of the problem - do something about it!

The Way We're Wired - What Sex Are You?
Gender, Sex, Sexual Orientation - what does it all mean? Explore the roots of sexuality from your own physical characteristics to whom you're attracted to. Presenters: Susan Lord, Nurse Practitioner & Martha Spruce, Community Outreach Educator, Family Planning.

Period Piece
A funny and wise film followed by a discussion about the importance of menarche in girls' lives. What we were told, what we weren't told, and what we want to tell our daughters. For adult women. Presenters: Rilla Bray, Outreach Education, Family Planning & Linda Zeigler, RNC, Women's Health Education, PBMC.

"Flirting or Hurting?"
Simply the best video on the subject of harassment: what it is, how to prevent it, and how to handle it if it happens to you or someone you care about. Presented by North Haven’s Gail Schatzle, Guidance, Jamie Lane, Alicia Brown & Laura Barrett.

Expressing Yourself through Art!
See what creativity lies within you, and let it out!

West African Drum & Dance!
Come dance to drums in this high energy expressive movement. Learn how girls in Africa dance to rythms that are the roots of Street funk, Hip Hop and the Blues! Dance instructor: Denyse Robinson.

Sad and Blue?
Could it be depression? Talk it over with someone who can help you identify what's wrong, and provide you with ways to deal with it. Presenter: Catherine Becallo.

Shoot Your Own Video!
In this video scavenger hunt, you’ll learn the basics of video production through a hands-on process that will help you find your own voice. After an exciting hour of collecting interviews and B-roll footage throughout Camden, participants will return to screen their masterpieces and talk about what it means to be an imagemaker. Presenter: Filmmaker Beth Cohen.

Smart Girls Party Hearty!
A Power Point presentation and discussion about date rape, date rape drugs and how to safely navigate the teen social whirl.

Session III 1:45 - 2:45

All Grades: Workshops

West African Drum & Dance!
Come dance to drums in this high energy expressive movement. Learn how girls in Africa dance to rythms that are the roots of Street funk, Hip Hop and the Blues! Dance instructor: Denyse Robinson.

Connecting to the Goddess Within
Every woman is a Goddess! Learn how to connect with your inner wisdom through basic mediation and visualization exercises. Presenter: Lee Ann Beaulieu of Earth Spirit Farm.

The Wise Woman Way: Birth Control and Safer Sex
What's new in contraception, how it works and how to reduce risk for sexually transmitted infection. Whether you are sexually active or not, this is information for every woman. For girls 9th to 12th grade. Presenters: Rilla Bray - Outreach Education, Family Planning & Lisa Agostini - Coastal Aids Network.

Zoey's E-Pals' Club!
Do you like computers? Do you want your chance at being a leader in your school. Girls who are already participating in the E-Pals' Club will share their experience as Club leaders. Learn how to start your own Club at your school. Presenters: Erin Brockette and Vinitha Nair - Happy Dance Interactive.

Sexual Orientation
Come ask some questions and discuss your opinions about sexual orientation. Learn about what young lesbian and bisexual women experience in their communities, schools, and homes. Presenters: Coastal Outright, a social support group for gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgendered, & questioning youth.

So You're Going To High School!
A Panel Discussion For 8th Grade Girls. Four high school girls will discuss everything you need to know - and want to know - about high school: from school work to sports, friendships to dating. Bring your questions, too! Presenters: Camden Regional High School 9th - 12th graders.

A Girl's Point of View!
What's the coolest new club in town? On the island of Vinalhaven, Middle School and High School girls think it's their book clubs! Book clubs? Yes, girls’ book clubs! Come and listen to the girls talk about why they joined, what they read, and what books are their favorites. Looking for a new book to read? They have suggestions for you. Looking for reviews of books? They have those, too! Come and join the conversation about good books. Presented by Susan Dempster and Vinalhaven Book Club members.

Women in Black
For the last year, a group of women dressed all in black have been standing silently for half an hour by the Camden Library at noon on Friday. Find out why they keep this silent vigil-protest, which is part of an international activist effort, and what they hope to accomplish. Organized by Laura Edwards Jenks.

"Cusp"
This video is a portrait of Alice, a spirited 12 year old, hitting the wall of early adolescence, on the edge between girlhood and young womanhood. Through her fierce struggle with her best friend and her deteriorating relationship with her mother, Alice bravely tries to retain her sense of self as she forges her new identity. Cusp captures the difficult journey out of girlhood and the even more painful entry into the teen years. (Because of language, girls grades 8 - 12.)

Things I have to tell you - poems and writing by teenage girls
"If you could say what was really on your mind, what would you say?" In this book, girls from all over the country have answered this question in their own words. Come share the poems and photographs, and find what other girls have on their minds. Each girl attending will receive a free copy of the book. Presenter: Sarah Szwajkos.