Westfield High School Junior Delivers Speech At United Nations International Day Of The Girl

By Lorre Korecky

Westfield High School junior Isabella Gelfand delivered a speech at the United Nations International Day of the Girl Speak Out on October 11.

In total, 37 students from the Westfield High School and Roosevelt and Edison Intermediate Schools’ chapters of Girls Learn International (GLI) attended the event, which featured multi-media performances of girl’s personal stories of tenacity, courage and strength from around the world. Isabella’s remarks are at these spots 1:30:30, 2:13:15 and 2:37 in the video: http://webtv.un.org/watch/international-day-of-the-girl-child-2014-2nd-annual-girls-speak-out/3834236417001#full-text.

“It was a very inspirational day,” stated Karen Lust, Roosevelt Social Studies teacher and an advisor of Westfield’s GLI. Even the bus ride was educational. Mrs. Lust, who accompanied the students, planned a lesson which included an overview of the Day of the Girl and the theme for this year which was Empowering Adolescent Girls: Ending the Cycle of Violence. Westfield High School GLI Chapter members conducted the lesson for the younger students. Students answered the question, What does it mean to be a girl? Then, after looking at statistics about girls around the world, they discussed what it means to be a girl globally. They then defined the word “empowerment,” and students shared situations in which they feel empowered. Inspirational poetry about girls’ issues also was read on the bus. A registered nurse from Overlook Hospital, Lillian Vender, addressed the students and distributed pamphlets and materials on teen issues such as eating disorders and self-esteem.

The Speak Out itself was held in the United Nations ECOSOC Chamber (Economic and Social Council Chamber). The Working Group on Girls (of which GLI is a partner organization) alongside Canada, Peru and Turkey, presented the Girls Speak Out for the International Day of the Girl 2014.

Edison Intermediate School GLI advisors Cecelia Valdes and Tamara Yellin, parent chaperones Kim Hamilton & Lisa Gorab, and school nurse Kim Rivera also accompanied the Westfield students.

Photo caption:

Westfield High School junior, Isabella Gelfand, who is a member of Girls Learn International, delivered a speech at the United Nations International Day of the Girl Speak Out on October 11. The event featured girl’s personal stories of tenacity, courage and strength from around the world.