This fall, Alexis Jones, a feminist activist and author, came to Tabor Academy to talk about her experience and her organization “I AM THAT GIRL”.
Many Tabor students left inspired to make a change – whether by continuing with their friends or teachers the conversation she started or by starting their own projects. One student, Trinity Monteiro, felt such an impact and was so inspired by Jones’ speech that she decided to establish her own I AM THAT GIRL chapter on campus.
“At first, it was a lot of emailing back and forth with Alexis and her team,” said Monteiro. “Then I had an application and a phone interview before my chapter was approved, and then I could start my online training.”
Having an official chapter of IATG at Tabor provides the space for students to talk about their own worries and insecurities as well as larger issues they face. Monteiro believes this kind of space is necessary, and already IATG has provided the platform for a lot of important thinking.
“In the last year, I have done a lot of self reflection and am not focused on changing myself, but improving who I am and finding out what makes me the best version of myself,” Monteiro said. “I’m hoping that the conversations we have in meetings will encourage others to make a similar discovery.”
The chapter meets at least twice a month to discuss topics that are on members’ minds.
“It’s about what they feel need to be talked about most,” said Monteiro, “whether that is something exciting or something that hurt them or affected them in some way.”
Some meetings will be exclusive to girls in the chapter, ensuring that the group is able to think and speak freely. Other meetings, however, will be opened up to a larger population, so others are able to learn more about the organization and the mission, and help empower girls as much as they can. Monteiro also hopes to possibly build a relationship with Our Sisters’ School in New Bedford, spreading her message as far as possible.
While the group is understandably focused on girls, Trinity is working to incorporate guys into IATG. Jones emphasizes that feminism isn’t just a girl’s issue; it affects boys as well, and helping to empower women simultaneously empowers them.
“A lot of guys have approached me wanting to join the group or help out in some way. It’s really great seeing this kind of reaction,” Monteiro said.
Across the board, the reaction from the school has been overwhelmingly positive. Both faculty and students have offered help with, expressed excitement about, or even joined Monteiro’s I AM THAT GIRL chapter at Tabor.
“One of the best things … for me is I have been able to connect with a lot of girls from our community that I was not as close to before and they have all expressed so much love, support, and excitement for all of it,” said Monteiro. “And that is what keeps me going.”
The biggest goal of IATG is to spark conversations and make girls feel safe in sharing their stories and problems. Already, Monteiro has created a safe space in which these things are possible.
The I AM THAT GIRL message of empowerment is already spreading throughout the Tabor campus, and the future of IATG promises to continue to spread this message to students and faculty, male and female, to create a more cohesive and supportive community.
By Madeleine Gregory