This International Day of the Girl, Here Are 4 Columbia and Community Programs Empowering Young Women

This year marks the 10th anniversary of the United Nations marking the International Day of the Girl on October 11. Globally, those ten years brought focus from governments, policymakers, and the general public on the challenges that girls around the world face in fulfilling their potential.

In our own backyard, a number of organizations and groups are working to help girls from Harlem and New York City succeed academically, and many have a particular focus on helping girls and young women become involved in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) activities, and nurturing interest in those fields. Learn about just a few of them below!

Figure Skating in Harlem

A longtime Columbia Community Service grantee, Figure Skating in Harlem combines the power of education with the grace and discipline of figure skating to help girls thrive and become strong leaders. 

Since 1997, they've helped girls excel academically and develop physical and athletic skills. Figure Skating in Harlem participants take part in after school programs that provide academic support and physical activity, as well as winter and summer camps. Some of the skaters also take part in synchronized ice skating teams. Through Figure Skating in Harlem programs, girls develop in more ways than just academically and physically. They get strong emotional and social skills, the confidence to achieve their goals, and increase their feelings of self-worth and personal accomplishment.

Girls Who Code

Columbia students run a chapter of the international organization Girls Who Code. Girls from local high schools take part in classes to help them develop their coding skills, as the group works toward closing the gender gap in the technology and engineering fields.

Connect with Girls Who Code at Columbia via their Instagram.

G.O.A.L.S for Girls

Columbia University School of General Studies is a partner in the G.O.A.L.S for Girls Summer Intensive at the Intrepid Museum. The G.O.A.L.S (Greater Opportunities Advancing Leadership and Science) for Girls program promotes awareness of science, technology, engineering, and math and nurtures leadership and social skills for middle and high school girls in New York City.

In addition to the free summer program, there are opportunities for G.O.A.L.S participants to join a paid internship-mentorship program. In an effort to include more teens, youth, and the wider community, free events are offered throughout the school year, with themes ranging from STEM, humanities, history, and college-career development.

Green Girls Empowered By ING

Green Girls Empowered By ING, created by the City Parks Foundation, inspires early adolescent girls to excel as environmental scientists and stewards of New York City’s precious natural resources. Through hands-on activities, field exploration, technology, and advocacy, the program encourages girls to realize their potential and to create change within the natural environment, 

The free after-school program for 6th-8th grade girls has four locations around New York City, including one at Democracy Prep Harlem Middle School in Harlem. They also offer a summer program for girls ages 10-13.

Know of more great local programs empowering girls? Tell us on Twitter or Instagram!