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YOUNG WOMEN OF POWER CONFERENCE
WHILE SUICIDE RATES RISE AMONG CANADIAN GIRLS HOPE ALSO IS RISING
Date:  Wednesday, April 25, 2012
Location: Calgary, Alberta, Canada

A recent study in the Canadian Medical Association Journal states that over the last 28 years suicide rates among adolescent girls ages 10 to 14 has increased by 50%. In girls ages 15 to 19 the statistics are even higher  with a 67% increase. Boys within that same age group have seen the exact opposite affect with a 67% drop in suicides over the past years.  “Girls are so relational and that is often used as a weapon against them” says Alison Springer the founder of Young Women of Power. “Instead of teen girls competing and hating on each other we need to foster a culture where girls support, value and respect one another.”

Though the suicide rate has increased, hope is also rising. During Calgary’s Youth Week April 28^th the 3^rd annual Young Women of Power (YWOP)  Conference will be held at the Calgary Girls School in the SW. YWOP raises the confidence in girls by helping them celebrate female diversity. The theme this year is Life is Worth Fighting For with a focus on mental health and wellness. Speakers such as Alvin Law, who was born with no arms will address lessons such as embracing who you are instead of being someone you’re not. Ex police officer Debra DeWaal from safe and Sound will be imparting wisdom and empowering  girls with street smarts with what to do in a harmful situation. Calgary’s Women of Vision, Carie Stock will be presenting her story of turning tragedy into a vehicle to help others and  Judy Atkinson will be uniting the girls into one rhythm by leading them in a 150 piece drumming circle creating a healthy stress outlet. The Founder Alison D. Springer will be delivering a piercing message on the importance of Choosing Life and inspiring the girls to persevere and to never give up.

At the heart of the conference are the workshops designed to increase confidence by helping girls see their own beauty and exposing them to alternative measures in dealing with stress. Fashion stylist Leslie Davies and Skin care Expert Manal Souraya will teach girls how to highlight their beauty using make up and fashion rather than hiding behind it. Youth Speaker Jocelyn Freeman will be delivering an unforgettable session redefining beauty, exposing the negative messages and fakeness that bombards women today by inspiring girls to be real with who they are.  Girls will be encouraged to step out of the comfort zone with these stress relieving workshops. There is something for the physically aggressive girl, the reflective girl, and the girl who internalizes everything . These workshops include Boxing, Spoken Word and Zumba that the girls will be able to sign up for.

“There are alternative ways of coping with stress and we want to expose girls to that.”

Alison D. Springer - Founder of Young Women Of Power

This year the conference is providing a workshop for Mom’s, Mentor’s and Youth workers related to girls and their mental health led by speaker and author Patricia Morgan. It’s a full day, and a fun day as Calgary’s Improv Guild will be the entertaining the girls over lunch which is provided by Coco Brooks, and the talented Kirsten Collins recently crowned Miss Teen Calgary will be singing a song inspiring the girls to greatness. This is a must event for young women ages 12 to 18ish with a minimal cost of $35.

With Conferences like this, the medical journals will be able to report HOPE IS RISING FOR TEEN GIRLS.

For more information visit www.inspiringteengreatness.com.  To schedule an interview with Alison Springer contact her at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or 403-383-9436 Registration is $35 $40 at the door.

Venue: Calgary Girls School – 6304 Larkspur Way SW       Saturday April 28^th 2012 9:30am – 4:30pm

GTC is a speaker’s bureau that helps support the goals of community organizations, agencies, and institutions who work with youth and their families by providing youth communicators. GTC uses its influence to be a positive, reliable voice of reason for a generation; mobilizing & empowering youth to be positive contributor’s to society.