Girl Up is a girl-centered leadership development initiative, focusing on equity for girls and women. Founded in 2010 by the United Nations Foundation, it has grown to become a global movement that now operates a network of regional affiliates impacting 150,000 girls and youth leaders in 150 countries and all 50 states of the US.
The Justice chapter was established in the 2016-17 school year and has expanded steadily to its current membership of more than one hundred students. The officers are President Aileen Mendieta , Vice President Milenka B. Terceros-Granado, Secretary Alessandra L. Simmons-Robles, Treasurer Alice A. Mayer, and Historian Daniela Pineda. The group meets every month to plan, work on, and introduce projects and fundraisers focused on sexual and reproductive health, rights, and justice for girls.
Milestones in the club's history include a 2019 meeting with Congressional representatives to participate in a press conference for the Menstrual Equity for All Act. Several students also served on a panel with State Senator Jennifer Boysko to exempt Virginia residents from the sales tax on tampons.
Daniela says, “As a first-generation Hispanic citizen in this country, and encouraged since childhood toward women’s rights by my family, I’ve been a passionate advocate of empowerment. Girl Up has enabled me to work for these goals, both here at Justice High School and in my community and beyond.”
Girl Up’s programs are consistent with Justice High School’s culture of gender equity, economic accessibility, and increased diversity. The group’s ongoing work includes its Menstrual Equity project to provide feminine products in school restrooms. The club also collects and distributes clothing for school formal events year-round, displaying racks of homecoming or prom attire that is accessible and free to all. Other recent projects have included collecting winter coats and accessories for Justice students in need and partnering with other school clubs to assemble feminine hygiene kits for a school in Eswatini (formerly Swaziland) in Africa.
The club continually raises funds for its school-based programs as well as for United Nations Girl Up efforts such as Bras for a Cause, which promotes breast cancer awareness, and the SchoolCycle program to provide bikes for girls in developing countries to ensure safe travel to and from school. The club holds restaurant fundraisers within the school area so that students, families, and staff members can help to support the club. The group promotes its fundraisers through in-school flyers and their social media presence.
“Through these and additional fundraisers, such as carnation sales during the month of February and school backpack drives,” says Daniela, “we strive to emphasize the importance of spreading love, help, and kindness.”
Club Sponsor, Megan Neforos says, “Girl Up’s impact radiates throughout the school building and into the greater community. We are proud to have created school-wide, regional, and state changes to benefit all youth. Our officers and members have done a phenomenal job promoting positivity, being inclusive, and increasing access to resources for our student body. Girl Up is full of leaders and fierce advocates who will continue to create systemic changes.”