VASJ's GEM (Girls Empowerment Meetings) grows in membership and thrives with mission

Two years ago when VASJ English teachers Tonica Johnson and Michelle Perusek '07 started the GEM (Girls Empowerment Meetings) club, there were about 15 girls involved. Since that time, the club has continued to grow. Now in its third year, GEM held its first meeting of the 2016-17 school year and a total of 65 girls attended. 

“My heart was just so full,” Perusek says. “We hope that they will be inspired to live full, vibrant lives as young women and to become agents of positive change in society.” 

Empowering women as leaders is one of the core values at Villa Angela-St. Joseph High School and a characteristic of receiving an Ursuline education (one of the school’s sponsoring religious orders). 

The purpose of GEM is for young women to come together to provide support for each other, and surround themselves with other young females.

“I had this vision since before I even started teaching and it is so awesome that Michelle shared the same when she started working at VASJ with me,” Johnson says. “My goal for the girls in the program is to bring awareness of what it is like to be a woman, let them know how important it is to have healthy relationships with other women and for everyone to feel a sense of empowerment.” 

During their once-a-month meetings, GEM covers important topics pertaining to young women. Last years meetings included topics such as self image and self esteem, how to avoid drama with other girls, healthy relationships, sexual assault awareness, self defense, career night featuring women in the workforce and women in the media, and a GEM team building field trip to the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo. Additional topics for this year will include effective communication, etiquette, a fitness class and a college prep night. 

“We emphasize self love as the foundation for almost everything,” Perusek says. “How they interact with other girls, how they handle their own relationships, and their self-esteem when it comes to work and self-efficacy overall.”

True to VASJ’s family spirit, the GEM group is about creating an open, welcoming environment where girls know they can talk about anything and feel supported and empowered. 

“We hope they can also bond with each other through shared experiences as young women and try to affirm and build each other up,” says Perusek.