PORTLAND — Who Changes the World? Girls! is the title of national women’s rights activist, Shelby Knox’s, workshop being offered Saturday, April 6, in Portland as part of Girls Rock Weekend. Knox has been invited to Maine by Hardy Girls Healthy Women as part of their annual celebration of girls’ activism and leadership.

According to a press release, Knox is best known as the subject of the Sundance award-winning film, “The Education of Shelby Knox,” a 2005 documentary chronicling her teenage activism for comprehensive sex education and gay rights in her southern Baptist community. She has appeared on “Today”, “The Daily Show”, “Hardball” and sat down with both Dr. Phil and Al Franken to discuss sex education and youth activism.

“I’m thrilled to be part of this year’s Girls Rock Weekend. Empowering and supporting young women activists are critical to making the world a more just, equitable place for all people,” wrote Shelby Knox in a press release for the events.

Girls Rock! Weekend is an annual celebration put on by Waterville-based nonprofit Hardy Girls Healthy Women and consists of a conference for girls, an awards celebration, a workshop for young women with Knox, and a public talk by Knox. Events are spread out between Waterville, Portland and Augusta on April 5 and 6.

On Friday, April 5, Hardy Girls will host its 15th annual Girls Unlimited conference for fourth- through eighth-grade girls at Colby College. The cost is $20 before April 1, $25 after; scholarships are available. The same day, in the evening, the annual Girls Rock Awards ceremony will take place at the Senator Inn and Spa in Augusta. Five girls will be honored for their efforts to make their communities safer, more supportive places for girls. Knox will be honored with the sixth award, the Co-creator Award given to a woman who is furthering Hardy Girls’ vision of equality, independence and safety for all girls and women.

On Saturday, April 6, Knox will host a workshop set for 1-3 p.m. The cost is $10; scholarships are available. Later that afternoon, Knox will give a public talk called Building the Global Girl Revolution, also at USM, on girls’ online activism. The talk is free, but reservations are required. For more information, visit www.hghw.org.


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