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Peninsula teens help shape event to empower Marin girls

Writer's picture: Emily LavinEmily Lavin
Tiburon’s Kirsten Pitcher (left) and Strawberry’s Kate Batdorf are among the student volunteers helping to plan this year’s Marin Teen Girls Conference, a free event aimed at empowering girls in grades 8-12 to develop confidence and explore their passions. (via Kate Batdorf)
Tiburon’s Kirsten Pitcher (left) and Strawberry’s Kate Batdorf are among the student volunteers helping to plan this year’s Marin Teen Girls Conference, a free event aimed at empowering girls in grades 8-12 to develop confidence and explore their passions. (via Kate Batdorf)

Tiburon Peninsula teens Kate Batdorf and Kirsten Pitcher know girls their age face unique challenges, particularly when it comes to forging relationships with their peers.

 

“I feel like the culture of today’s world, especially with teen girls, there’s a competitive culture,” says Kirsten, 16 and a junior at San Domenico School.

 

That can make it difficult for teen girls to make new friends and step outside their comfort zones, says Kate, also 16 and a junior at Marin Catholic High School.

 

“At school, I feel like everyone’s stuck in their cliques,” she says. “The people they met freshman year are the people they stuck with.”



Kate and Kirsten, who are friends from their days attending St. Hilary Catholic School, are working to shift that culture from one of competition to one of connection as teen ambassadors for this year’s Marin Teen Girls Conference, set for 9 a.m.-3 p.m. March 2 at the Embassy Suites in San Rafael. The free event, which will feature speakers, interactive workshops, fitness activities and opportunities to network with peers, is aimed at empowering girls in grades 8-12 to develop confidence and explore their passions.

 

“The conference is just a place to choose what you want to do, learn about things that you want to do, feel empowered and meet other teen girls who are like you,” Kirsten says.


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