In an effort to empower and build confidence in middle school girls, the Z Club of Jefferson City is hosting its second annual Girl Empowerment Day in May.
The event, set for 10 a.m.-3 p.m. May 8 at Memorial Park Pavilion, will include lessons on self-defense, de-stressing and nature survival skills, among other topics.
Z Club adviser Ramona Huckstep said the event is geared toward girls in sixth through eighth grades because this is typically the age when society starts to strip confidence from them.
"My experience having two daughters, that's when they really start to hit issues, and that's when people start telling them there's things you can't do," she said.
Z Club is a high school program from Zonta International focused on providing opportunities for girls to develop leadership skills, explore career options and improve international understanding through service projects, according to the Zonta website.
Among other sessions, police officers will give a safety and awareness presentation, jiujitsu instructors will teach a self-defense class, Z Club members will teach a class on expressing yourself through music and poetry, and a psychologist will teach a class on de-stressing techniques.
It costs $15 to register for the event, though Z Club would not turn anyone away for non-payment. All proceeds go to the Central Missouri Stop Human Trafficking Coalition, as one of the Z Club's focuses is human trafficking awareness.
Last year, the Z Club raised about $1,000 for the Central Missouri Stop Human Trafficking Coalition, partly through Girl Empowerment Day. This year, the goal is to exceed that amount, Huckstep said. The coalition will have a table at the event with members passing out flyers and answering questions.
Attendees will also meet Z Club members and become familiar with the club, with the goal of increasing Z Club membership and allowing the middle school girls to make friends and have peers they can look up to before they enter high school, Huckstep said.
Lunch will be provided, and attendees should dress for the outdoors.
To register, visit eventbrite.com/e/2nd-annual-girl- empowerment-day-tickets-137997180281.
For more information, contact Ramona Huckstep at 573-619-8657 or [email protected].