Nominations open for the Girls Rock! Awards

WATERVILLE — Hardy Girls Healthy Women is celebrating Maine girls, their bold acts, and their powerful voices during its third annual Girls Rock! Awards.

This year, five nominees will be honored for making a difference in their community. The awards will be presented to girls from ages 12-19 who are using their voices and hearts to take action, inspire others, and make our state a better place for girls to live and grow.

The categories for the 2011 awards include:

• Title IX Champion, given to a girl that demonstrates odd-defying behavior for girls’ equal access to athletic facilities, coaching, education, or equipment whether on or off the playing field.

• Health Advocacy, awarded to a girl who has supported and/or campaigned for wellness policies or programs that promote healthy lifestyles and choices for girls.

• Against the Odds recognizes a girl who refuses to be limited by what has traditionally been known as a physical or developmental disability, and has been busy redefining “able” and making positive change for girls in Maine along the way.

• Community Organizing will be received by a girl who sees the importance of a united community and is making it happen by bringing together her school, peers, and/or community. She’s not afraid to start changing the soil, especially for other girls.

• Entrepreneurship, given to a girl who’s turning her passion into a paycheck by building up her own business and her bank account.

“It’s time that the world pay more attention to all the awesome social change girls are effecting around the world, instead of the hyped up stories about sexting, catfights, and baby bumps. We’re recognizing amazing girls from all around the state and their accomplishments because the positive of what girls are doing these days far outweighs the negative, and you don’t hear enough about it,” said Megan Williams, executive director of Hardy Girls.

Hardy Girls is asking for the community’s support in bringing girls’ stories and achievements to them via their nomination process. “Nominating a girl for this award will not only recognize their hard work but also inspire other girls to take action and be a powerful asset to their school, community, or state,” said Mackenzie Riley, 17, president of HGHW’s Girls Advisory Board.

All selected Girls Rock! Award recipients must be available to accept their award at the Girls Rock! Award celebration on Friday, April 8, at the Holocaust & Human Rights Center in Augusta. Nominations are due by February 18, and forms can be found at hghw.org. Winners will receive a $250 savings bond.

To find out more about the event or to nominate a girl, visit www.hghw.org or call 861-8131.