Wrapping Up, Gearing Up, and Getting Brave!
As we wrap up an incredible program year, we’re filled with gratitude—and excitement—for what’s ahead. Come celebrate with us at our end-of-year Spring Fling on May 30 in Augusta! Here’s what we’ve been up to (and what’s coming next!):
COALITION GROUP HIGHLIGHTS
We’re in the final stretch of our Coalition Groups, and we’re so proud of what our youth have accomplished this year.
One of our Muses, Maya allowed Lawrence Junior High students to ask anonymous questions. She got topics ranging from dating to self esteem. Overwhelmingly, we hear that Coalition Groups create needed space for middle schoolers to ask those hard questions.
During a recent focus group with Belgrade Central School students, we heard from 5th graders who worked with other Muses. Their favorite conversations? Stereotypes, bravery, and standing up for themselves. One student even told us: “The group made me feel braver.” That’s the kind of feedback that fuels our work!
FABBERS IN ACTION
Feminist Action Board (FAB) members, Ava and Mia, were panelists for MeCasa on a Webinar called “Let Them Lead the Way: Engaging Youth as Leaders in Sexual Violence Prevention”. The audience was sexual violence educators that work in schools and in the community. (There were a few other panelists too that weren’t FABbers.) Ava and Mia did an awesome job answering questions like:
How did you get involved in leadership opportunities at your school?
Imagine you were asked to write a guide for adults working with youth, what would be your top 3 tip?
What’s an incorrect assumption adults make about what it’s like to be a teen now? What’s it really like?
WHAT’S NEXT: RECRUITMENT & COLLABORATION
As we close out this year, we’re already planting seeds for what’s coming next. Throughout May, we’ll be:
Recruiting next year’s FAB members and Muses
Connecting with schools interested in hosting 2025 Coalition Groups
Exploring exciting new collaborations with Speak About It and Maine Boys to Men to expand our school-based programming in powerful ways
Know a young person who might be a fit for FAB or Muses? Or a school that wants to bring feminist, youth-led programming to their students? Send them our way!
INTERGENERATIONAL STORYTELLING PROJECT: COMING SOON
We’re starting to build out our intergenerational storytelling project, connecting FAB youth with older Mainers who’ve paved the way in feminist spaces.
We’ll officially launch this work in the fall, but we’re starting to look for older feminists now. If someone comes to mind—a neighbor, teacher, activist, or family member—please send them our way. We’d love to help them share their story with the next generation!
