INSPIRE THE NEXT GENERATION
Muses inspire Hardy Girls all across Maine, and so can you! The college students who volunteer as Muses come from a wide range of academic disciplines and share a commitment to gender equity. Guide a group and inspire the next generation of brilliant girl and nonbinary youth leaders.
What does it take to be a Muse?
The Muse volunteer program is for undergraduate students at our partner colleges who identify as a woman or a nonbinary person. The Muses are trained by Hardy Girls staff to guide and facilitate Coalition Groups.
Commitment to the program includes guiding a group for six weeks and reserving availability for additional check-ins or trainings each semester.
Muse trainings take place on campus or online, and the Coalition Groups meet in area schools.
Participating as a Muse is a rewarding experience for the student volunteers. As a result of their participation in our program, some students discover and/or change their career paths. Becoming a Muse helps to build community relationships and will present a valuable perspective on local issues impacting one’s community!
For more information, please reach out to Kathy, our Program Director, at kathy@hardygirls.org or 207-536-9191.
Coalition Groups - Coming to a School Near You!
Our Coalition Groups are facilitated by trained Muses who meet weekly with elementary and middle school girls and nonbinary youth to create a coalition of youth allies. The groups discuss media literacy, gender stereotypes and how to proactively change the culture around them through social action projects. Coalition Group participants are self-identifying girls and nonbinary youth from schools local to the Muses college or university.
Why are coalition groups important?
Self-identifying girls and nonbinary youth need a safe space where they can: relax, be uniquely themselves, and speak their thoughts and feelings; experience supportive connections with other youth and with adult Muses; discuss and share common views and goals; feel less alone; discuss and validate a range of feelings, desires, anxieties, and concerns; think critically about stereotypes, unfairness, and hurt; and experience the power of coalition by crossing clique or peer group lines.
Host a coalition group at your school!
If you are on school staff or are a teacher interested in bringing a coalition group to your school, please email Kathy or call us at 207-536-9191! We’d love to chat!
