Girl CHARGE aims to create community awareness of

 

and to foster change

 

in the social norms and culture of girls in our community.

 

 

Founder and Executive Director- Melissa Norman

During Melissa's first year of teaching, a mother came to her for advice- girls had been teasing her daughter, excluding her and calling her names.  As the girl's teacher, Melissa felt a number of emotions- irritation at herself for not being aware of the actions of the girls, disappointment in the girls, and frustration for not being able to help the mother more. Through her time spent as a teacher and counselor, Melissa grew increasingly exasperated of hearing adults excuse this behavior as “girls just being girls” but also understood that many  parents and teachers did want to help their girls, but were unsure of how to do so.

And so began Girl CHARGE (Creating Habits of Acceptance, Respect & Gratitude for Everyone), Inc. Girl CHARGE, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization,  fills a void for girls, parents and other adults that work with girls.  The organization offers programming for girls and educational opportunities for adults so that the current social norms will change for the better.

Melissa holds a Bachelor of Arts in Education and a Master of Education in Counseling.  She is an elementary school teacher with experience in leading groups for girls at the elementary and middle school levels.

 

 

Girl CHARGE’s Board of Directors

 

 

 

 

Melissa Norman - Girl CHARGE founder and Executive Director,

 

Greensboro Day School, 2nd Grade Teacher

 

 

Dr. Nicole Rice - Winston-Salem Pediatrics, Pediatrician

 

 

 

Ben Norman - Brooks, Pierce, McLendon, Humphrey & Leonard, LLP, Attorney

 

 

 

Dr. Donna Henderson - Wake Forest University, Professor of Counseling

 

 

 

Anne Hummel - Community Volunteer

 

 

Christina McCord - Grace United Methodist Church, Youth Director

 

 

 

Annie B. Trent - Irving Park Elementary, 4th Grade Teacher

 

 

 

Kristin Weldon - Youth Focus, Act Together Crisis Care Director