Young girls learn about black history

Some local African-American girls last month got a head start on understanding Black History Month. The girls were attending an after-school program sponsored by Girls, Inc.

At one January meeting, girls studied the definitions of words such as "justice," "prejudice," "bias" and "cultural stereotypes." They also were introduced to famous past and present African-Americans.

Nine-year-old Tamika Valentine was one of the girls who was given a word. She was asked to define "justice."

Her definition: "I want things to be right and want people to share."

Victoria Nelson is the executive director of Girls. Inc. The group has provided educational and cultural programs in safe environments for local girls since 1981. The organization wants to inspire all girls "to be strong, smart and bold."

Girls, Inc. has three St. Louis locations. One is in north St. Louis, another in south city and one downtown. (For how to join in Girls, Inc. activities, see sidebar below.)

Nelson said her group's program for Black History Month in February will help girls "evaluate the civil and social conditions" in the country.

Her staff gets plenty of help for its programs from the Gateway Chapter of the LINKS, Inc. That's a social organization of African-American women. They serve as mentors and role models for the young girls.

One key point in the Girls, Inc. program is that important African-Americans adults started as ordinary kids in local neighborhoods just like theirs. Throughout the year, Nelson invites St. Louisans who've made a name for themselves to visit.

For instance, some of the African-Americans on the Black History study list had metro St. Louis roots. Internationally-famous dancer Catherine Dunham is one of those. She grew up in East St. Louis.

Also, a number of the famous Tuskegee Airman of World War II were African-Americans from St. Louis. They are featured in the big mural at Lambert International Airport here.

Ten-year-old Adrianna Bray was one Girls, Inc. member who also attended January ceremonies at Harris Stowe College. Those honored civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King. His birthday is in January.

Adrianna said she wants to learn more about Dr. King during Black History Month. The noted civil rights leader is on the list of African-Americans to be studied this month.

During the January discussions of important words, she had to define "leadership." Helping young girls learn how to be leaders is another Girls, Inc. goal. Adrianna already has decided she wants to be a medical doctor.

Ten-year-old Ann-Marie Coleman was one of the girls who helped in a doll-making project during earlier after-school sessions. "We made and packaged the dolls and sent them to Africa," she said.

A LINKS members, Audrey Jones, took some 50 home-made dolls on a recent trip to Africa. The dolls from St. Louis were distributed as gifts to young girls in Africa.

Dr. Queen Fowler is vice-president of the Gateway Chapter of LINKS. She also is the administrator for student support services for the St. Louis Public Schools.

She said LINKS members help Girls, Inc. after-school program in various ways. These include taking the girls in trips to the St. Louis Symphony and the Missouri Botanical Gardens.

LINKS members will be active in the Black History Month events at Girls, Inc. centers.

Velois Rausch is another LINKS volunteer. She is making a history booklet on the famous African-Americans the girls will study in February.

Each young girl will get her own copy of that booklet.

LINKS member Frances Whitfield was the leader of the January word-definition discussions. Those words will be explored further during the February sessions.

Besides studying important issues, the young girls also have fun after school.

Adrianna Bray said her favorite activities include dancing and singing.

Ann-Marie Coleman likes dancing and cheerleading. But, her favorite is art. She said her best picture was a drawing of a girl playing outside.

Tamika Valentine said she likes both dancing and art. She said she wants to be a middle-school teacher when she grows up.

 

How to join Girls, Inc.

As many as 15,000 local girls and young women take part in Girls, Inc., activities each year. The girls range in age from 4 to 18.

Girls, Inc. has three attendence centers. They are the Carter Center, 4746 Carter Ave.; Ohio Center, 2631 Ohio Ave. and Cathedral Center, 1210 Locust St.

The centers provide after-school programs Monday through Friday during the school year. Hours are 2 to 6 p.m. Summer programs are Monday through Friday, 7 a.m.-5:30 p.m.

For information call:

* Administrative offices at the Carter Center, 4746 Carter Ave., St. Louis, Mo. 63115. Phone: (314) 385-8088.

Membership dues are $25 per year.