JACKSON HOLE, WYO – On a sunny, spring afternoon in Jackson, a group of 85 women gathered at Local Restaurant to toast to 21 years of Girls Actively Participating! (GAP!), and its mission to promote success for girls.
“GAP! has had a groundbreaking year, offering more programs than ever before,” remarked Carolyn Ripps, the nonprofit’s board president, as she kicked off the luncheon with a ‘legal’ toast of champagne or tea.
This winter, the GAP! board completed a strategic plan, with help from Todd Hanna of Belay On, to help guide its next chapter on solid footing. GAP! is now in Wilson, Jackson, and Colter Elementary Schools, with early leadership programming helping plant the seeds of success by teaching girls about integrity, agency, and self-awareness through fun activities.
Jess Yeomans, GAP!’s executive director, reminded the packed dining room that although much progress has been made for females, a recent study conducted by ROX (Ruling Our Experiences) showed a steep decline in self-confidence from 5th grade to 9th grade.
The study also found that although self-confidence may bump back up in high school, it never returns to its pre-5th grade levels. By the first day of high school, one in three girls doesn’t want to pursue a top leadership position for fear of being bossy, and 50% choose not to speak their mind because of fear of not being liked.
These statistics are disappointing but they offer GAP! valuable information about how to inspire girls to be leaders and how to look at the role of technology and social media in affecting confidence in girls.
“The reason I come to GAP! is because it helps me discover who am I and teaches me that I can be whatever I want to be, no matter what,” said Nicole Checker, one of 10 GAP! students who attended the luncheon and shared their passion for the program.
GAP! Would like to give a big shout out to its business sponsors: Farm Bureau Financial Services, The Bank of Jackson Hole, Katie Colbert Brady and Jackson Hole Real Estate Associates, Creative Building Solutions, Guild Mortgage, Local Restaurant, and Hillary Munro of Pow Wow West. These community-minded businesses underwrote 100% of the cost of the luncheon so that all ticket purchases and donations will go directly to GAP! programs.
Carrie Kirkpatrick, GAP!’s newest board member and Raising Girls program director, reminded the audience about Raising Girls’ three annual events hosted for caregivers and educators to inspire thought and dialogue to help girls thrive. She then invited the GAP! girls to lead their tables in a traditional GAP! meeting closing.
