August 13, 2021 | BY AAGD STAFF
In 2005, when Dr. Verna Cornelia Price saw a need for local high school girls to receive quality mentoring to connect with adult role models and see what they can one day become, she took action and launched the organization, Girls in Action™, now re-named Girls Taking Action (GTA).
The nonprofit organization addresses the rise in violent, destructive, and delinquent behavior that was being exhibited by the female students at Minneapolis’ North High School. Using $60,000 in start-up capital, the organization has proven its worth many times over, and since then, Girls in Action has positively impacted more than 5,000 girls in Minneapolis, St. Paul, Chaska, Fridley, Robbinsdale and Brooklyn Center, as well as in Detroit, Chicago and Atlanta. The reach is also international and provides services to girls in Guatemala and Kenya.
“Our girls were taught how to play golf empowered by the example of Black Women playing golf and that for almost 100% of our girls this was their first time ever on a golf course. They were exposed to a whole new world!” — Dr. Verna Cornelia Price
“We are proud of the fact that 95% of our girls graduate from high school on time and 75% of our graduate enroll in college,” said Dr. Price.
“Our mission for Girls Taking Action is to motivate, mentor, empower, engage and educate girls to succeed in school and life. This is done through weekly mentoring groups where girls are active in high school and middle school in academics and positive leadership,” says the organization’s website.
Under the Program Direction Ms. Dorothy, several educational programs are held throughout the year including a summer program that engaged 15 girls this year in addition to school-based and community-based programs for the follow purposes:
- Empower girls to find and positively use their personal power
- Provide mentoring opportunities for girls through meaningful connections to positive women
- Re-engage girls in academic achievement
- Create pathways for girls to pursue positive leadership
- Prepare girls to graduate on time from high school and pursue higher education
- Engage girls in advocacy and social change through service-learning
- Engage girls in positive cross-cultural interactions and communication
Wth COVID-19 impacting programs and events and attendance levels at for social organizations, Girls Taking Action was not exempt. “Girls have been quarantined for a year, says MARTHA ARRADONDO-CMP. “The struggles of isolation and constant screen time during the pandemic, caused many of our children to forget about the great outdoors.” However, the opportunity for girls to participate in the Summer program alleviated some of the isolation. The program helps girls develop lifelong friendships and bonds that become a part of their success and growth as they mature.
Certainly, Girls Taking Action is achieving it’s namesake. For more information follow Girls Taking Action on their social media platforms for Instagram, Twitter
