The Virginia Girl’s Summit Program was founded by Patsy Mangas in order to empower girls and boost their self-confidence. Meetings are held twice a month at George Mason University for girls in grades 7-12 who live in Virginia, Maryland or Washington D.C.

Juniors Meaghan McIntyre and Caroline Beaulac and sophomore Jessica Lister were selected as three of 27 ambassadors for the program. The girls were required to apply for the ambassador positions by answering questions and writing a five-paragraph essay that defines “success.”

“The goal of the Summit is to inspire girls to be passionate about who they are, what they want and how they are going to get it,” Mangas said. “The program is here to say that you are enough just the way you are right now.”

Ambassadors create the content of the Summit and act as mentors for the other girls participating in the program. They also have a private blog to communicate with one another outside of meetings.

“My favorite part is the opportunity to meet so many girls from all around Virginia,” Beaulac said. “It is really awesome because we are all so different but we can all relate to the same problems. The Summit brings girls together in order to let them know that they are not alone with the struggles that they face.”

At the last meeting, the girl’s participated in ice breakers to get to know one another.

“Ambassadors received flyers and posters to hang up in each of our individual schools,” Lister said. “I enjoy finding ways to empower girls within our community.”

Along with ambassadors, there is a planning committee made up entirely of George Mason students and an Advisory Board of women from the Northern Virginia community.

“One of the coolest parts of the Summit is that it is organically created by girls for girls,” Mangas said. “We are listening to what girls are going through right now: pressure to get all A’s, getting into the right school, and all while wearing the perfect outfit with flawless makeup.”

The next Summit workshop is November 15 which will include special guests Matthew Schuler from “The Voice,” American New York Company ballet dancer Misty Copeland and speaker Todd Kashdan.

“I started the Summit because I wanted to counter the message that girls receive today from television and social media. Girls are told that they are not smart enough, skinny enough or pretty enough: think Kardashian Nation,” said Mangas.

For more information, visit the Summit’s website at VaGirlsSummit.gmu.edu.