May 25, 2004

YOUNG WOMEN COMMIT TO BEING SISTER FRIENDS

One young woman said the event motivated her to get her GED and pursue her dream of being a fashion designer.
Another young woman warned that you can’t keep your boyfriend by having sex with him.
A third said she would like to see more programs like the Sister Friends 2004 event held at Six Flags over the weekend in order to help her examine her self worth and build her life strategy.
State Senator Paulette Irons and the Louisiana Women's Network, along with Pierre Principle, Safe Neighborhood Action Plan, the Institue for Women and Ethnic Studies, the Versailles Arms Learning Center, Community Volunteers Association, and the Office of Public Health/Department of Health and Hospitals made the training program about how young women commit to scholarship, achievement, healthy lifestyles and pregnancy prevention available over the last year. The training concluded with a free, large-scale event at Six Flags.
The free Sister Friends 30-page journal and curriculum is available for download at www.womenshealthaccess.com.
"Recently, Louisiana was graded an 'F' for failing to provide women and young girls the access they need to gain sufficient healthcare. We can overcome our high teen pregnancy rates, our low high school graduation rates and our high poverty rates among young women if we, as women, mentor our young daughters and sisters in the steps for success," said Senator Irons.
The Sister Friend Journal is being distributed to young women to help them discuss and strategize about issues such as how to succeed at a job, have a good attitude, say no to unhealthy habits and choose a healthy lifestyle. Instead of "preaching" the lifestyle rules, a special curriculum has been developed by the Louisiana Women’s Network along with radio personality and author Monica Pierre.
"Since last year, the Louisiana Women's Network and Senator Irons have explored with several non-profits how to present complicated issues to young women in a manner they could understand. Monica Pierre helped us take our experiences and encapsulate them in a program that is educational and can be replicated statewide," said Director Cheron Brylski.
The issues are built around a one-woman show featuring Ms. Pierre in various characters featured in her book No Permanent Scars. Between characters, the audience is invited to discuss issues raised in the vignettes, as well as explore their feelings in the Sister Friends journal.
"As women leaders ourselves, all who have faced struggles in moving from childhood to adulthood, we offer this journal as our gift to our young sisters and daughters," said Senator Irons. "We encourage you all to grow into excellent young women and claim this city as your own, as one safe for yourselves and your families."
The Louisiana Women’s Network thanked the Office of Public Health/Department of Health and Hospitals for encouraging the program, and also recognized PhRMA for sponsoring the event’s t-shirts, as well as Six Flags for being a willing partner.