Saturday

Were you at the "Exactly As I Am" Event Saturday? 

Check out the news article and video.  

We had so much fun!

Check out the video on the CBS 19 website:
http://www.cbs19.tv/story/19674462/girl-power-summit-teaches-young-girls-confidence 

Here is the news article:

TYLER (KYTX) - Young girls across East Texas are learning to love themselves for who they are.

Today was the Tyler Junior League's first Girl Power Summit event this year. The "Exactly As I Am" event empowered 6th grade girls throughout the community.

Hundreds of young girls sat together, learning about a world where pink means power.

6th grader Sam Mitchell was one of about 300 East Texas girls her age, learning about the importance of confidence and self worth.

"I think it's epic," she says. "I want to come again!"

Mitchell's stepmother, Lee Harris, wanted to be a part of the summit too.

"It's important to me as a mother of 6 girls that they all are individuals and that they all just treasure who they are as each different child," Harris said.

Girl Power stressed tough issues that have taken over the lives of young teens today.

Junior League Girl Power event coordinator Leah Childs says, "At this age that they are, coming into middle school, we've learned statistically speaking 7 out of 10 of them don't feel good about who they are, they don't feel a lot of self worth. So this event was put on to give them some confidence and self esteem."

Childs has been a part of the Girl Power summit for three years and has never seen the girls get so close.

"This is the most synergy I've felt in the room," she said. "Hopefully that comradery will build here and then go back to their schools and down the hallways and in the classrooms. Hopefully we will mitigate some of the bullying and some of the issues they face when they're dealing with each other at school."

Mitchell says she feels comfortable in her own skin.

"For me it's T-shirt, jeans out the door!"

But she says it's not as easy for some of her peers.

"They're trying to get certain clothes on, look a certain way," Mitchell says.

She thinks the summit has helped her and her friends realize that they're perfect, just as they are. 

"I think they'll stop trying to be someone they're not."

If you didn't make it to this event, it's not too late to sign up for the two others coming up. The next one is January 29, called "I Am Strong." It's focused on health and fitness.

For more information on the Girl Power Summit and other related Junior League events, head to their website: http://www.juniorleagueoftyler.org/

See you soon!