Table of Contents

1. Key Highlights:
2. Introduction
3. The Foundations of Empowerment Curriculum
4. Pivoting to a Homeschooling Audience
5. Encountering Resistance: The Reaction to 'Wokeness'
6. Embracing Feminism in Educational Spaces
7. The Challenge of Representation: Gender Dynamics in Homeschool Culture
8. Finding Common Ground Amidst Divergent Views
9. Navigating Political Backdrops
10. Changing the Conversation on Feminism
11. Conclusion

Key Highlights:

• A unique approach to girl empowerment through historical narratives, focusing on notable women.
• A shift in target audience from schools to the homeschooling community during the pandemic, leading to unexpected challenges and opportunities.
• Despite encountering resistance from some conservative parents, many families express gratitude for the diversity and representation in educational materials.

Introduction

The journey of developing an effective girl empowerment curriculum offers compelling insights into both the educational landscape and societal attitudes towards feminism and women's history. As an entrepreneur in this space, my partnership with a fellow advocate has brought forth the importance of teaching young girls about their worth through the exemplary lives of historical women. However, the path hasn’t been without obstacles. Over the past three years, attending numerous homeschool conferences has unveiled a diverse array of responses—ranging from enthusiasm to skepticism—among parents regarding our curriculum's focus and messaging. This exploration delves into those experiences, offering a nuanced perspective on empowerment, feminism, and resistance in educational contexts.

The Foundations of Empowerment Curriculum

At the heart of our business is a passion for girl empowerment, articulated through a curriculum designed to teach young girls about their value and potential. The idea is simple: harness the inspiring stories of women from history who faced tremendous challenges, overcame adversities, and made significant contributions to society. We believe that understanding these narratives can instill confidence and a sense of belonging in young girls, paving the way for future generations to continue fighting for equality.

Historically, stories of powerful women have often been sidelined in mainstream education. By directly addressing this gap, we aim to ensure that girlhood is framed not just in the context of domestic responsibilities or traditional roles, but as a platform from which they can aspire to greatness. Our curriculum kits include lesson plans, engaging activities, and biographies that shine a light on figures like Harriet Tubman, Kate Warne, and Sarah Grimké.

Pivoting to a Homeschooling Audience

Our initial partnerships with schools were disrupted by the pandemic, like many businesses across various sectors. However, instead of succumbing to despair, we identified an opportunity within the rapidly growing homeschooling community. Through a variety of channels, we successfully adapted our initiatives, engaging with families eager to provide robust educational frameworks outside traditional settings.

Over the last three years, my partner and I have traveled across the country, attending more than 20 homeschool conferences. The atmosphere at these events is often electric, with a palpable excitement and investment in education. Families express their appreciation for quality educational resources that resonate with their values, demonstrating a demand for diverse materials.

Encountering Resistance: The Reaction to 'Wokeness'

Not every response has been positive. During our interactions at these conferences, we’ve encountered a range of perspectives, particularly from those who view our mission through a skeptical or critical lens. One particular encounter remains vivid in my memory—a mother approached our booth enthused about Harriet Tubman, but quickly pivoted to a concern about whether our materials are "woke."

Such an exchange speaks volumes about the political and cultural schisms that have emerged, particularly in conservative homeschooling spaces where the term “woke” often connotes liberal tendencies or perceived social justice agendas. My instinct was to argue that promoting equality and representation of women’s histories is simply truth-telling. However, I shifted to inquiry, asking her what "woke" meant to her, guiding the conversation away from labels and back to the essence of our work.

This was not an isolated experience. Many attendees had preconceived notions about feminism, equity, and empowerment that seemed shaped by political rhetoric rather than the lived realities and truths of historical narratives. Their questions often stemmed from a misunderstanding or misrepresentation of the core ideals underpinning feminism—equality, not superiority.

Embracing Feminism in Educational Spaces

Despite the resistance, there are also moments of profound connection and understanding. In one memorable interaction, a mother bought three curriculum kits after confirming that we teach equality without suggesting one gender is superior to another. Such examples punctuate our interactions, revealing the complexities of navigating conversations around feminism and education in spaces conditioned by purely traditional, often patriarchal frameworks.

Another encounter illustrated the desconstruction of myths surrounding feminism: a mother passionately discussing the empowerment message we promote was pleasantly surprised to discover that our materials were based on historical facts rather than ideological agendas. This reveals how, even amidst initial skepticism, genuine engagement can lead to enlightening dialogues.

The Challenge of Representation: Gender Dynamics in Homeschool Culture

The landscape of homeschool conferences is not uniform; it reflects the broader cultural milieu. On one hand, our presence at these events has sparked interest and enthusiasm among those seeking progressive educational resources. On the other, it can also feel like entering a battleground where rigid gender roles continue to prevail.

Interactions with fathers often reflect traditional dynamics. Many approach with an air of authority or entitlement over their children's education, seeking validation in a way that inadvertently subverts their partner's participation. At one conference, a husband performed an elaborate reenactment of World War II to explain Rosie the Riveter, overshadowing his wife’s more nuanced understanding of the subject. Through these interactions, it becomes clear that entrenched gender roles still hold sway over assumptions about educational narratives.

Finding Common Ground Amidst Divergent Views

In many instances, parental interest in our products often rests on their intention to expose their children to diverse narratives. Many express gratitude for the inclusivity found in our materials. One woman, teary-eyed, purchased one of everything we had, reflecting a deep appreciation for the representation of women in our curriculum.

The contrast between our materials and the neighboring booth—offering a more traditional, Bible-focused curriculum—underscores the duality present within the homeschooling community. Our objectives aren’t merely about selling products but changing the discourse surrounding girlhood and women’s contributions historically. Still, the presence of booths aligned with conservative viewpoints poses an ongoing challenge in the quest for inclusivity.

Navigating Political Backdrops

The political lens in which education is viewed has become increasingly pronounced, particularly as the homeschooling movement flourishes. Whether through educational programs or conferences that feature interviews steeped in conspiracy theories, the crossover of political agendas into educational spaces adds layers of complexity to our outreach efforts.

During a visit to one conference, I was confronted with signs promoting political figures rather than educational resources. This represented a critical juncture, as our narrative about women’s empowerment clashes with prevailing political ideologies that often seek to suppress alternative viewpoints. Our materials strive to create a dialogue surrounding feminism that transcends politics and centers on the universal value of equality.

Changing the Conversation on Feminism

After months of navigating through discomfort and opposition, a pivotal decision emerged: rather than avoiding the conversation about feminism, why not embrace it? My partner and I contemplated how to frame discussions on empowerment in ways that resonate with conservative families while remaining truthful to our mission.

By intentionally integrating workshops and discussions about feminism into our conference presence, we aim to diffuse the stigma associated with the term. The goal is to illustrate how feminism, in its most authentic form, advocates for the equal treatment and recognition of all individuals, a conversation both timely and necessary in today’s climate.

Conclusion

Embarking on this venture of empowering young girls through educational narratives rooted in the experiences of historical figures has been both rewarding and challenging. The responses we receive at homeschooling conferences illustrate the complexities surrounding our mission, encompassing a diverse array of beliefs, from enthusiastic support to intense skepticism.

Navigating the evolving dynamics requires patience and understanding as we strive to create a space where all girls feel valued and empowered. The storytelling journey continues, underscoring the imperative of representation and dialogue in educating future generations.

FAQ

What is the core mission of your girl empowerment business? The core mission is to empower girls by utilizing the stories of notable women in history to teach them about their worth and potential, creating an educational curriculum that inspires confidence and equality.

How did the COVID-19 pandemic impact your business model? Initially, we partnered with schools, but the pandemic shifted our focus toward the homeschooling community, enabling us to reach families eager for diverse educational materials.

What kind of resistance have you encountered at homeschool conferences? We have encountered skepticism from some conservative parents regarding our focus on feminism and diversity in the curriculum. However, many families express gratitude for the representation and support our materials provide.

How do you address the term 'woke' in relation to your curriculum? We strive to engage in constructive conversations about what 'woke' means, emphasizing that our curriculum is rooted in historical facts and the promotion of equality rather than ideological agendas.

What are some key historical figures featured in your curriculum? Our curriculum highlights a range of significant women, including Harriet Tubman, Kate Warne, and Sarah Grimké, each of whom serves as an example of resilience and empowerment.