October 23, 2024 - For one empowering day, girls from Columbus City Schools (CCS) took over the Center of Science and Industry (COSI) to celebrate International Day of the Girl and immerse themselves in the exciting world of STEM during the Girls Will! Summit on October 11. 

The second annual Girls Will! Summit, presented by Eryn PiNK,  ICE Mentors (Image Character Etiquette Inc.), Columbus City Council, and Amazon Web Services was hosted by Columbus City Councilwoman Lourdes Barroso de Padilla. The event brought together girls from Columbus Preparatory School for Girls (CCPSG), Ridgeview Middle School, and Eryn PiNK members, fostering a sense of community and empowerment.

Councilwoman Barroso de Padilla said middle school is around the time girls begin to build their confidence and define themselves. The event provided girls with exposure to opportunities and community support at a pivotal time.

“I deeply believe in the power of women and girls,” Barrose de Padilla said. “I think it is especially important to start giving girls the opportunity early to know that their community believes in them and give them exposure to different career fields.”

This year’s summit, themed “Builders Not Consumers,” aimed to inspire girls by exposing them to the process behind creating everyday products, from cosmetics to mobile apps, and even music. The event featured workshops led by representatives from Spelman College's cosmetic science program, Google’s Code Next program, and local musicians and entrepreneurs Renee Dion and Kaleem, who presented the music production workshop, “Bars, Beats & Bravery.”

“We thought let’s put them in front of the things they use on a daily basis and show them how to be builders of it,” Hathaway said. 

Technology is a part of everyday life for these students, Google Data Center technician Jojo Brighon introduced them to “Code & Conquer: The Basics of Building An App.” The session began with brainstorming, where the girls came up with creative app ideas, such as morning alarms that offer positive affirmations based on their mood, and apps for daily outfit suggestions. They then developed app descriptions and designed user interfaces on poster boards. While the 45-minute session didn’t allow time for actual coding, Brighon emphasized that it provided a solid foundation for future learning.

“This is to get them interested in the IT field,” Brighon said. “They came up with some really great ideas, some of which don’t even exist, that not only can someone invest in but they can make real money from.”

In 2023, the cosmetics industry generated a staggering $103.82 billion in revenue, according to Statista. Workshop presenter Dr. Marisela Mancia, interim chair of Chemistry and Biochemistry at Spelman College, emphasized the importance of women of color not only entering this booming field but mastering the science behind it. As she guided participants through the process of creating their own shimmery body lotion, she highlighted the critical role chemistry plays in understanding the unique needs of different skin and hair types, making informed product choices, and driving innovation in the industry.

“A lot of people are creating home-based cosmetics but when you need a company to produce it, the company will hire a chemist,” Dr. Mancia said. “Having the degree for our students is important because you can mix and create things but you need the science for the backing.”

Ridgeview Middle School Principal Natalie James said her students meeting and learning from panelists like Dr. Mancia was one of the best parts of the summit. Her Ridgeview Middle School girls attended the event for the first time this year. 

“It’s not everyday that you come to an all-female summit and work collaboratively with one another,” James said. “They also get exposed to these presenters which lets our scholars know that they can be anything they want to be.”

This marks CCPSG’s second appearance at the summit, a transformative experience for its students. CCPSG Principal Shannon Tucker highlighted the summit's crucial role in helping her students recognize their potential. She shared that the opportunity to engage with Spelman College chemists was especially impactful, as it not only introduced students to the field of cosmetic chemistry but also opened their eyes to the possibilities of attending a historically Black college or university. Now, they can envision themselves thriving in such an environment.

“This event is everything we are about at our middle school,” Tucker said. “It’s about girl’s empowerment. It’s about believing in yourself and it’s about fixing the crowns of others.”