Gender biases are grossly entrenched in our community, which creates disadvantages for girls who are up against a history of suppression, silence, and inequality. A strong girl in our society needs to stand up for herself and persevere through a great number of challenges. She is one that can listen to critique and choose how to use it, is kind and helpful, does not subscribe to gender norms, believes that she can do anything she sets her mind to, does not fall to social pressure to be something she is not, voices “no” with dignity and respect, and works independently without need for validation from others. The elementary-aged girls chosen for this series are a small sample of the strength in our community. This series began after 6 years of teaching art at Stevenson Elementary.
