Testimonials

Here’s what RiseUp! Girls have to say:

During the time I spent in the program, one of my favorite things was getting to meet new people and connecting through our shared experiences. We also learned about our physical and mental health. It was so nice getting to learn from different speakers
— Olivia, Sophomore 2022

What have you liked best about the Spring program?

It has changed my life. I have made new friend, met lots of people...

Getting to meet and talk to people from different schools was really fun.

It was really fun and I learned more about femininity and the women body.

I loved all the in-person field trips and the connections we made with all our instructors!

How everyone was communicating and sharing the same experiences. I love how everyone related and respectful to each other.
— Spring 2024 program participants
This program taught me to overall cherish life, live it to the fullest, and to try to solve the problems our current generation of women face. I learned a more in-depth definition of feminism in this class. Feminism is not only to support each other as women but to strive for change, a drive to demand equal rights, and always supporting one another. This program never told anyone their opinions were wrong and instead we valued everyone’s input. That is sisterhood!
— Jimia, Sophomore 2023
Self worth is something that everyone should have. Especially with the way social media and society is now with high standards. No one should be comparing themselves to those standards or trying to meet them. Instead people should love themselves for the way they are. Self love is very important, everyone is entitled to feeling good about themselves.
— Navaiah T, - Hyde Park High School
Every lesson we learned will help us in the long run. From elevator pitches to learning about mood swings. We will take this information, use it, and benefit from it. Thank you Ms. Elizabeth and Ms. Kaitlyn for helping us learn more about the world around us!
— Ayssa, Freshman 2023
Being a part of the RiseUp! Girl Empowerment Program through After School Matters was a highlight of my summer. With an array of different speakers I was grateful to learn about different topics like community, mental health, and positive relationships.
Each session was unique and engaging allowing me to make new friends and learn more about what it means to be a woman
— Victoria, Junior 2022

What have you liked best about the Fall program?

  • The education

  • The support and the encouragement

  • I love how consistent and diverse it is.

  • I really enjoyed hearing Dr.Lopez speaking to us. I felt that her advice was truly helpful.

  • I like the program being virtual

  • I liked sharing/ hearing experiences from myself and other females. Also, I liked that we didn’t just talk about whatever, we covered impactful areas.

  • I liked the informational presentations that the program presented to students. They were descriptive, but concise and had images that helped better understand the topics.

  • This program has helped me learn more about the struggle of women and the role they play in our society.

What did you learn?

  • Female reproductive system

  • I learned about women empowerment, I learned about the history of women, and I learned about the female anatomy

  • I learned about menstruation, College, and birth control and also about mental health.

  • I learned about my own body ( menstruation, birth, etc), I learned about how to handle certain social situations

  • i learned a lot about how our body works

  • I learned a lot about myself and just the female gender in general.

  • I learned about my health and body including my periods, mental health, reproductive system, and more.

  • It's a struggle being a woman in our society, but above all, Women have to stand up for each other.


Here’s what our past instructors have to say

“I had the incredible opportunity to be a part of the Girl Empowerment program, and it truly felt like it was a game-changer for both the girls and myself. The program was powerful in that it connected teen participants directly to a wide group of women professionals in different expertise fields, and these messages seemed to resonate with the teens, in the spirit of "if you can see it, you can be it".

RiseUp!Girl Power curriculum fills a crucial information void that exists in schools and communities. This initiative is making a tangible impact by opening doors and broadening horizons for young women, instilling in them a deeper knowledge of themselves, their environment, and a sense of possibility and potential.”

Jessica Hernandez

Executive Producer

American Dental Association

“I've absolutely enjoyed my years instructing the RiseUp! Girl Power (ASM) Program. As a professional woman of color, it's particularly inspiring to work with these girls knowing they're ultimately seeing an attainable version of themselves. Teens expect an authentic teaching experience, and that is what they get here. It's a mutually rewarding feeling when you witness their "Ah-ha!" moment. Thank you Dr. Elizabeth Yepez for creating this safe-space, girl empowerment program year after year, and for inviting me to be a part of it!”

Sol Solis

Health & Wellness Entrepreneur

“The RiseUp! program empowers young women by making clear the impact their voices can have in shaping a better world.

Witnessing their growth and awareness of the power they have to create change has been both rewarding and inspiring. When youth actively participate in civic matters, genuine and lasting change takes root--this is what is happening at RiseUp! Girl Power.

The program teaches girls that their voices matter and that they can be catalysts for meaningful change at a local and grassroots level.”

Maya Solis

South Region Director

Chicago Park District

“Being an instructor for RiseUp! Girl Power has been a fulfilling and enlightening experience for me and the girls! Educating youth about the importance of sisterhood, body knowledge, self-love, and so much more has helped develop the girls into strong and empowered individuals. Not only do they feel more confident and comfortable, but they have gained professional experience as well to help guide their future. Teaching the girls was extremely fun! It gave us the chance to build friendships and bonds with each other through this experience!”

Anam Adil

Rush University Medical School

M.D candidate 2025

“I have been an instructor for the RiseUp! Girl Empowerment program for two years and have loved every minute of it! It has been a privilege to help young teens learn more about their bodies, gain confidence in discussing uncomfortable topics, and develop leadership skills they can use in all aspects of their lives. I have enhanced my public speaking and group facilitation skills. This experience has affirmed my interest in OB-GYN as a career field and helped me gain tools for health education for various groups and demographics.”

Kaitlyn Jackson

Rush University, Medical School

MD Candidate, 2025