The GirlsMatter 5 Step Process

Girls can learn that their personal interests are their political interests as well. They can begin where they are -- by changing their school culture. Teen girls equipped with critical thinking skills are the politically informed women of tomorrow.

The GirlsMatter 5 Step Process was developed after one of the founding members of the GM Club emailed her mentor with the following request: “I think we need to address what an opinion is and how it is basically a personal preference, belief, judgement and feelings and also like you said how to form an opinion.” We wanted to prepare girls to have the emotional readiness and foundation to employ decision making tools to make educated opinions and decisions, make appropriate social connections to strengthen themselves in a positive direction and ,finally, problem solve in order to take action.

5 Step Process

1. OUESTION
2. INFORM
3. INTERVIEW
4. DISCUSS & DEBATE
5. TAKE ACTION

Facts And Trade-Offs

Facts are the second step in the 5 step process- what is known about any issue? Go find out. WomenMatter gathers the facts from research in history, economics, psychology, anthropology, and so on; they are facts you can trust that don’t persuade.

WomenMatter, in the updates and the radio shows (with printable transcripts), analyzes and takes apart the various policies and shows the philosophy that lies behind each one.

Then you are qualified to discuss and debate the pros and cons and take action, which can mean supporting candidates and telling your representatives your viewpoint.

This is what educating yourself is all about. No one else can do it.

This is what we want girls and women to do -- to get in the WomenMatter habit. Imagine growing up immune to hype, sound bytes, and manipulative fears.