At JMSG, Girls in Government, Leadership, and Service (GGLS) is a group of 6th, 7th, and 8th grade girls who voluntarily meet before school one day a week. Not only do the girls prepare for this event, but, in addition, over the past few years, they have studied the gender disparity of wages in the U.S. and what they can do about it; the minimum wage and how almost two-thirds of all minimum wage workers are women, along with the resulting effects on their families and communities. They have also visited local government officials, including the Oakland Board of Supervisors and District Attorney Nancy O’Malley. Last year after a successful inaugural Women of Courage Panel, the girls joined the Alameda County Food Bank volunteers and advocates against hunger to lobby government officials in Sacramento after learning how advocacy can effectuate legislative change.

The girls interview the guest panelists on their thoughts on what courage means to them, how they have witnessed moments of courage in their lives, and advice they have for girls in how to make brave decisions.

Our honored guests this year are:
Jennifer Dulski, COO of Change.org
Renel Brooks Moon, SF Giants Announcer and Radio Host
Dana King, Journalist, Artist, and Past Candidate for Oakland City Council
Chanel Aleta Johnson, Apple Recruiter, Former White House Intern, and JMSG Alumna