Gender Equality Dominican Republic Project #6980

Unleash the Leader in a Girl

by The Mariposa DR Foundation

Project Report | May 24, 2016
Empowered role models, empowered girls!

By Sarah Fisher | Administrative Director

Mariposas play role models from the US, DR & Haiti

Dear Friends,

Since September the Mariposa girls ages 15-18 have been participating in a comparative study of Dominican, Haitian, and US women role models called the Girl Workshop Series. This interactive study has included research, field trips, and workshops with some of the women they studied, including Dominican-American author Julia Alvarez and Native Americans Radmilla Cody and Mary Kim Titla.

In April the study culminated in a final event created by the Mariposa girls titled “Celebrating Our Similarities.” This event was attended by all the Mariposa girls, US Embassy representatives, members of the local community, and two of the women from the study. The event included circus and musical performances by the Mariposa girls that wowed the guests.

The main performance was a theatrical piece in which the Mariposa girls each represented one woman from the comparative study and participated in an imaginary women’s conference that unified these leaders and activists from different times and places. The featured women included Haitian activists Myriam Merlet and Sonia Pierre; Dominican activists and educators Aniana Vargas, Julia Alvarez, Mamá Tingó, Salome Ureña, Paulina Pérez, Margo Suriel and Minerva Mirabal; American activists and author Maya Angelou, Lucy Burns, Alice Paul, and Harriet Tubman; and Native Americans Anacaona, Mary Kim Titla, and Radmilla Cody.

The presentation was a combination of spoken word, poetry, music and dance. It brought together rich elements from three different countries and over 500 years of history. Creating the presentation solidified the girls’ understanding and enthusiasm of the many connections that weave the lives of these women together, as well as how the lives of these women are not so different from their own.

A powerful way to unleash the leader in a girl is to teach her the stories of the amazing women that came before her, because empowered role models lead to empowered girls! Thank you for your essential support of our girls’ education and empowerment programs.

With gratitude,

The girls, families, staff and volunteers at The Mariposa DR Foundation

Odalissa as environmental activist Aniana Vargas

Mariposa girl Jafreisy starring in the circus show

Mariposa musical group performing original songs

Mariposas Jafreisy and Victoria as US suffragists

Julia Alvarez and Margo S. w/Executive Director

Links:

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Mar 1, 2016
The Mariposa girls are rock stars!

By Sarah Fisher | Administrative Director

The Mariposa girls on the beach in Punta Cana!

Dear Friends,

This February the Mariposa Girls had the experience of a lifetime – they were invited to perform in front of 1,800 people at an all-inclusive resort in Punta Cana to spread the word about the world’s most powerful force for change, girls!

Most girls in poverty will never have the chance to visit a 5-star hotel, but tourism is the number one industry in the Dominican Republic and therefore the largest job market. This trip was only the beginning of our hospitality program, in which the Mariposa girls will gain the necessary skills to work in the industry. The girls got a full tour of the hotel and took advantage of the pools, magic shows and other activities they never knew existed. These girls are the stars of the Mariposa Girls Leadership Program and one day will be leaders in the field of hospitality.

After months of hard work rehearsing song and dance routines, 30 Mariposa girls went on an all expenses paid field trip to an all-inclusive resort in Punta Cana. When they strutted out onto the huge stage in front of the large audience they didn’t falter, they wowed the crowd with their performance and brought staff and guests alike to tears. To see one of the songs they performed, check out this video.

The girls shone as the rock stars they are: singing and dancing and leading the crowd participation. They later had the chance to mingle with the guests in a smaller setting, practicing their English and overcoming cultural barriers to talk about Mariposa’s work. You couldn’t tell that the girls had never been in this environment before as they laughed and enjoyed the resorts amenities. Many of them had never been on an elevator before or seen so much food available to eat.

The Mariposa Girls were grateful for the opportunity to shine and discover new possibilities for their future. It just goes to show what can happen if you unleash the leader in a girl! Thank you for making this possible.

With gratitude,

The girls, families, staff and volunteers at The Mariposa Center for Girls

The Mariposa girls wowing the crowd!

Rock stars!

Enjoying the pools!

Links:

Mariposa Website

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Dec 3, 2015
Empowering Girls Through Exchanging Cultures

By Jessica Lawson | Cofounder

Cultural Exchange

Dear Friends,

Cultural exchange and education is a core component of our program at Mariposa. We believe that by exposing our girls to other cultures, we can help them grow to be global citizens with a greater understanding of the world around them. This November, during Native American Heritage Month, we were fortunate enough to host two amazing representatives from the Navajo and Apache Nations right here in the Dominican Republic! Radmilla Cody, of the Tla'a'schi'i' (Red Bottom People) clan, is a Grammy award nominee and domestic abuse survivor and advocate and Mary Kim Titla, San Carlos Apache, is a Native American youth advocate, 20 year veteran TV newscaster and former school administrator.

Radmilla and Mary Kim spent a week at The Mariposa Center sharing their cultures with the girls. It was an extremely enriching experience for both parties as the parallels between the struggles of indigenous people on reservations and the struggles of growing up in poverty in Cabarete created powerful connections. The Mariposa girls of all ages participated in identity and coming of age workshops, crafting circles and music and dance classes. Together, they shared recipes, music, dances, language, traditional clothing and cultural practices.

It was an amazing week full of sharing and understanding of indigenous cultures in the US with the Mariposa girls. They were left with a greater understanding of the situation of indigenous people in the US and the power of Radmilla and Mary Kim's personal struggles. Our visitors' final day at the center was very emotional as we say farewell to both of them and to an incredibly rich, cultural experience. An unforgettable week for everyone involved.

Experiences like this empower girls by showing them that they matter, and that they too have the power to build solidarity and support for all girls and women across the globe. These life changing experiences are only possible because of your generosity and we thank you for your support.

With gratitude,

The girls, families, volunteers and staff at The Mariposa DR Foundation

Radmilla and Mary Kim

Group Photo

Links:

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