GIRL TALK HISTORY
Girl Talk began in October 1993 as a volunteer project between the Northwestern University School of Law Children and Family Justice Center (CFJC), the Chicago Womenís Health Center and medical students from Northwestern Medical School. A survey conducted by the CFJC revealed that the girls, who then comprised about 5% of the detention center population of some 500+ youth, had virtually no programming focused on their specific needs as young women. A proposal was made to the officials at the JTDC to allow a group of women to meet with the girls to address questions and issues related to their health and well-being. The program was initially called the Womenís Health Initiative and met with all the detained girls (25-45 on any given week) three times a year for eight week modules. Over the years, Girl Talk programming has broadened to encompass the wide range of issues and experiences important to adolescent girls. Girl Talk now includes such topics as self-expression (including poetry writing, dance, journaling, art, quilting, video-making and improvisation), street law, self-defense, domestic violence, conflict resolution, stress management, entrepreneurship, educational and career planning, nutrition and exercise, parenting, leadership development, cultural diversity, womenís history, self-esteem and body image, HIV/AIDS/STDís, sexuality, and violence prevention. In 1995, the girls decided that a name change was required to reflect the emphasis on girls expressing themselves in a host of ways, on a multitude of issues. After much debate, ìGirl Talkî was selected by the new program name. Two of the original partners, the CFJC and Health Center, have been joined by additional volunteer partners-each contributing their particular expertise. The Chicago Womenís Health Center and Illinois Caucus for Adolescent Health coordinate sessions focusing on adolescent health issues, including reproductive health, AIDS/HIV awareness, STDís, domestic violence and other issues. The Southwest Youth Collaborative (one of the premiere youth development organizations in Chicago) and the CFJC develop Girl Talk sessions that build leadership, conflict resolution and advocacy skills. Women in the Directorís Chair (WIDC), a womenís film-making organization, offers and innovative method of using art and video as a tool for education and activism. Through ìrole playingî for the camera the young women have opportunities to explore identities they choose.