Amy R. Spurgeon
COSTA MESA -- It was a day for girls, about girls and by girls.
More than 100 Orange County youths went to Orange Coast College on
Saturday to learn about life-changing decisions at "Girls: 2000 Choices
and Dreams," the second annual conference for girls and their mentors.
Planned by the American Association of University Women Orange County
Interbranch Council, and a coalition of local nonprofit groups, the
conference provided opportunities for girls to learn from national
experts about health care, financial independence, alternative careers,
body image and preventing violence, said Lee Winocur Field, the
conference's chairwoman.
"Studies show that our daughters are largely unprepared to meet the
financial, technological and biological demands of the future," said
Field. "They must learn about jobs, health care and financial
independence before they become tomorrow's wives, mothers and employees."
Girls 9 to 18 met in the morning at the Robert B. Moore Theater
before breaking up into smaller groups in classrooms throughout the
campus to talk about careers and goal-setting, sex, substance abuse,
violence and hate crimes, and body image and self-esteem.
"This event gives the girls a chance to talk about their dreams and
challenges," said Winifred Strong, chairperson of the American
Association of University Women. "It gives them a safe place to talk."
During different sessions, peer facilitators encouraged girls to pursue
hobbies as possible career goals. They discussed how the media affects
their self-esteem and taught positive ways to react to aggressive people.
Costa Mesa High School seventh-grader Michelle White sat with her
12-year-old peers at a large, round table. But the diaper-clad bundle she
cradled in her lap made her stand out from the crowd.
The computerized doll was loaned to her through the "Baby Think it
Over" program run by Girls Inc. of Orange County. The nonprofit
organization has been helping girls and women since 1947 to develop
values and skills needed to become confident, productive, responsible
adults. The computerized doll is designed to help young women realize
through scheduled feedings and changings how demanding it can be to care
for an infant. Like real babies, it cries when it doesn't get what it
wants.
"It's embarrassing," said White, her small mouth wired with braces.
"People stop and stare at you."
The Baby Think It Over program discourages baby-sitting, so White had
