There was a Sister-to-Sister Summit in Philadelphia on November 15, 1997. The girls at the summit talked about school violence, teen sex, and body image. Here are just a few of the things they said:

About Teen Sex/Pregnancy


Messages to girls:
  • Control yourself: nobody else controls you. Nobody can prepare you for tomorrow but you.
  • Set goals and keep them (long and short).
  • Don't ever be afraid to ask questions.
  • Go to a clinic for a checkup (11th and Locust Streets.)
  • Don't ever think there's no one to turn to.
  • Safe sex is no sex, but if you're having sex, use birth control or condoms.
Messages to adults:
  • We need more people who care and understand with a non-judgment attitude.
  • Parents and teachers--talk to kids.
What we can DO!
  • Females being more educated about their bodies, options, and feelings; want information
  • Awareness session for parents to overcome objections to teens learning about sex
  • Sister-to-Sister in schools

About Violence


Messages to girls:
  • Be the bigger person--just walk away. Be mature and ignore.
  • Ask questions before jumping to conclusions--get the facts.
  • Girls should respect themselves. We should stick together as sisters and not let guys come in between us.
Messages to adults:
  • How do we get principals and teachers to become more involved--listen and act
  • Jealousy is a major problem among females.
What we can DO!
  • Increase security--expand borders.
  • Start peer mediation programs in schools.

About Body Image


Messages to girls:
  • There is more than one type of beauty.
  • The greatest tool of beauty is self-love.
  • Think for yourself. Don't try hard to please others.
Messages to adults:
  • Project more normal looking people in the media.
  • Schools need to start teaching nutrition, self-esteem.
What we can DO!

Write letters/complain to:
  • Magazines (Cosmo, YM, Seventeen)
  • TV Shows (Baywatch)
  • Victoria's Secret
  • Calvin Klein
Sister-to-Sister Forums in schools twice a year for:
  • 6-9th grade
  • 10-12th grade
Sister-to-Sister newsletter


If you want to find out more about Sister-to-Sister Summits, please send a message to sister@mail.aauw.org.



Sister-to-Sister Summits are a project of AAUW. For more information, see the AAUW website at www.aauw.org.