Posters help boost middle school girls’ self-confidence
Samantha Martin
Oregon
Don Reid, n rm <?nt University
gradual)*, is attempting to boost
the self-confidence of middle
school students in Lane Coun
ty
“YoungCirls" ABI s of I if*'" is
the first in a series of “Live to
learn" posters created by Reid,
who gradual***! with a degree in
English last spring
For each letter of th*' alphabet,
the (Mister lists words of encour
age men I for middle sc hool age
({iris to not in* intimidated in
subject* like mathematics and
the w lences, areas irodilionallv
dominated by males, according
to Reid
Ketd said be received the
inspiration to create the poster
from his best friend,
“I always thought she was the
smartest person in class. Reid
said of his best friend "I was
inspired by her and wanted to
create the poster to honor her
and all women "
Reid wrote the text for the
"Young Girls' ABC* of Life"
three years ago anil pul it lo
paper along with the graphics
last November
He said ho notti ed that even
at I ho university lev*!, "it seems
men get called on more than
women do.”
Keid also said he believes the
la< k of equal attention in the
classroom sterns from the differ
ent ways hoys and girls are
sot ialired and raised from birth
According to Reid, reforming
the school curriculum at the ele
rnentarv and middle school lev
el would help to amend prttb
lems of Inequality in the class
room
Students need to learn more
about the important figures In
American history like the "Rosie
the Riveter" women during
World War II and women
explorers.'' said Reid
Springfield Middle School
science teacher Carrie Patterson
will soon display the poster in
her classroom.
Although Patterson admits
that she doesn't give espial atten
tion to girls in her classroom,
she said, "Ii is something 1 am
working on "
Patterson said she didn't
know what kind of effect i he
poster would have on her female
students, but was certain that
the students would notice it
"Any little thing that r an be
done to plant a seed in the
minds of voung girls that it's
okay to pursue careers in sci
ence and math is very impor
tant." said Patterson.
"Young Girls' ABCs of Life" is
also on display at Kugetie
Planned Parenthood and the
Human Rights Commission
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