Dartmouth's Women's Resource Center will host about 30 daughters of faculty members today in honor of the national Take Our Daughters To Work Day.
Assistant Director of the Women in Science Project Kathy Weaver, who is bringing her 11-year-old daughter to work today, said this day is a "wonderful opportunity."
"I think boys automatically start envisioning themselves and their future in the workplace," she said. "I think the important thing is for young girls to be exposed to opportunities so they don't feel limited in the workplace."
Since 1993, when the Ms. Foundation initiated the nationally-celebrated day, nine to 15-year-old girls have accompanied adult mentors into their workplaces on the fourth Thursday of April. This will be only the second time that Dartmouth has sponsored events in honor of this day. In addition, a few sons of Dartmouth faculty members will be attending the event this year.
Weaver hopes that the day will boost young girls' professional self-esteem, which can often be threatened during the tumultuous years of adolescence, she said. Her 11-year-old hopes to be an astronomer when she grows up.
Director of the WRC Giavanna Munafo highlighted the importance for parents and educators to understand that discrepancies still exist between the treatment, education and socialization between boys and girls.
"I think it's a really exciting day," she said.
According to a study published in 1992 by the American Association of University Women entitled "How Schools Shortchange Girls," events that recognize young girls are very important, because they are often ignored in spheres such as education, athletics and social interaction.
The study found that girls receive "significantly less attention from teachers in the classroom than do boys."
For Take Our Daughters To Work Day, Dartmouth will host a morning activity, a luncheon and an afternoon activity for the visiting children.
During a morning activity entitled "Work and Play: The Jobs Behind the Performances," Technical Director Scott Silver will speak about the behind-the-scenes elements of the College's production of "Medea." In addition, Carla Richters -- the head of the costume shop -- will conduct a tour of the costume shop.
A luncheon will take place in Alumni Hall, where parents will join their daughters. A list of books and web sites geared towards girls in professional careers will be provided at the lunch.
Munafo said that about the same number of children and parents will attend the lunch as two years ago, the last time events were held in honor of Take Your Daughters To Work Day.
During the afternoon event, "Unveiling the Arts: The Jobs Behind the Exhibits," children will be led on tours through the Hood Museum by students, highlighting various museum jobs integral to mounting exhibits.
Take Our Daughters to Work Day exposes girls to people in the working world -- either parents, relatives, or friends -- who can act as role models to girls as they go through the difficult period of adolescence, according to the Ms. Foundation web site.
