United Way Agencies and Pine Manor College Collaborate On Leadership Programs
for Adolescent Girls in Boston

November 16, 1998

Chestnut Hill, Mass. -- Adolescent girls from United Way agencies throughout the Greater Boston area will participate in a collaborative leadership program with Pine Manor College November 20-22. The conference on the college campus will bring together high school juniors and seniors from diverse socioeconomic and cultural backgrounds to discuss issues facing teenage girls today.

A major goal of the "Pine Manor College Weekend Leadership Conference" is to help build a network of support and friendships for adolescent young women throughout Boston communities. Work throughout the weekend will focus on leadership and self-esteem, health issues, relationships with family and friends, importance of college, developing action plans and solving problems. The weekend program coincides with a United Way workshop entitled, "Today's Girls...Tomorrow's Leaders," an initiative that is aimed at increasing the resources available to address the unique developmental needs of girls.

"Numerous research studies have chronicled the challenges facing young girls as they transition from childhood through adolescence and into womanhood," said Marian L. Heard, president and chief executive officer of the United Way of Massachusetts Bay. "Pine Manor College's efforts compliment United Way's strategies, particularly those that help young girls develop the skills, self-esteem and courage necessary to succeed."

Pine Manor College/United Way Leadership Conference

The conference participants were nominated by each agency with which they are currently involved. Agency mentors also attending the conference will help provide support and guidance to the girls within their own communities. The participating United Way agencies include: Newton Community Service Center, Federated Dorchester Neighborhood House, the Salesian Boys and Girls Club of East Boston, Gregg Neighborhood House of Lynn, Patriot Trail Girl Scout Council, South Boston Neighborhood House, and Boston Parents' and Children's Services.

"We saw a synergy between PMC's leadership programs and the work United Way agencies accomplish on behalf of adolescent young women," said Pine Manor College's President Gloria Nemerowicz. "We can vastly improve our efforts in the community if we combine our resources."

For further information, please call Laura Bernstein at 617-369-9200 or Kim Pyles at 617-731-7089.

The United Way of Massachusetts Bay supports over 200 agencies, serving 1.8 million people in 80 communities in eastern Massachusetts.

Founded in 1911, Pine Manor College is a four-year liberal arts institution preparing women for lives of inclusive leadership and social responsibility in their workplaces, families and communities.