Summit To Empower High School Girls Held On OU Campus

The Waking of Women Summit helps high school ladies deal with the challenges that they face today, while preparing them for a bright future.

“Today is about strengthening young women to dream big dreams,” said Waking of Women organizer Steven Davis. 

Davis started Believe Inc. in 1999, helping boys, through what he calls "The Making of Men”, but three years ago he realized some of the problems the girls were dealing with.

“We looked at social media, when we looked at the stats of suicide attempts of young women,” said Davis. 

Dr. Belinda Biscoe is the senior associate vice president for outreach at the University of Oklahoma and a twenty-five-year employee with the University. She has dealt firsthand with the challenges young ladies face. 

“You don’t have to let the negative aspects of social media dictate who you are,” said Biscoe.  

Dr. Biscoe says a lot of young ladies struggle with finding their place and their identity. 

“Not only do they belong, but that they are valued and appreciated for who they are,” said Biscoe.  

Alisha Leroy is a senior at Harding charter prep attended the summit.  

“Even though I’m young, I definitely can still make an impact on people that are my age. It’s about stepping up and making yourself a leader, not waiting for a leader opportunity,” said Leroy.    

Over one hundred high school ladies attended the summit, which was intentionally set on a college campus. 

“When they leave today, I want them hopeful for tomorrow. When they leave today, I want them to have a new look on education and learning,” said Davis.    

Now this was the first summit for the young ladies, but there is sure to be more. The Making of Men and Waking of Women program is available through many Oklahoma School districts, for more information visit their website www.believeinc.biz.