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and said: “Ok, I cannot deal with an emotional That same boy asked my friend to copy her
girl today. Is it that time of the month? Trust homework for bio the other day. And she looked
me, I’ve taken IB Chemistry, I know what I’m him straight in eyes, fluttered her lashes, and
talking about.” And then patted my head in the said: “I’m sorry, I think it’s my time of the month.
most condescending way ever and turned away. I’m feeling pretty emotional, so I probably got
I did not feel good that day and I definitely
didn’t feel empowered anymore. When the all these answers wrong. You don’t want to copy
teacher went over the quiz the next day, he from me.” And she let him fail the assignment.
explained why covalent bonds were stronger in And that was like the most incredible moment
biochemical reactions. He said the same exact of my life. Because it taught me that in this case
thing as I did. And the boy in front me said: “ugh, we just fight fire with more fire.
I knew that all along. I was just so tired I put the Girls, don’t stay quiet. Assert more, defend
wrong thing down.” more. If he makes you feel stupid, make him feel
That day, that boy made me feel so stupid. even more stupid. If he mistakes your ambition
And he wasn’t the first boy to do this and I’m and your drive as you being a b-word, own it. Be
sure he won’t be the last. a b-word. And boys, stand up for girls. Be allies.
A girl’s world is a lot of a mantid’s world. We’re
conditioned to be quiet, still, under the constant Slowly we can create change. And maybe one day,
scrutiny of society. If we move the wrong way, a girl’s world will no longer be a mantis’s world.
dress the wrong way, speak the wrong, look at Future Stars Gavel Club, is a youth communication
something the wrong way, everyone pounces on and leadership club administered by Toastmasters
us. And we’re eaten alive, treated like inferiors by International, helping the young people of today
people who are supposed to be allies. If people become the great leaders of tomorrow! The club is
keep continuing this, there will be girls who will
never move, never take a stance, for fear of being open to all middle school and high school aged kids. It
judged and eaten alive. gives them the opportunity to become better listeners,
I’m a naturally quiet girl, and coupled with thinkers, speakers and leaders.
the fact that I’m small and brown, people don’t The club meets weekly during the school year every
take me seriously—there’s a toxic stereotype Saturday from 10:30am-12:00pm at 4115 SW 160th
that Asian girls are meek and spineless. When I
assert myself or defend my opinion in company Avenue, Beaverton, Oregon 97007 in the first room
that’s mostly male, I’m attacked for things that in the portal. To learn more about Future Stars or
are completely irrelevant. And it’s not just boys to visit the club, pleas contact Coach Humaira at
who perpetuate this. Girls do it to other girls, too. futurestarspdx@gmail.com. Visitors are encouraged
Why is a girl’s world a mantid’s world? How to visit the club and see for themselves why Future
can we change it? Stars should be part of their educational journey.

Daylighters Toastmasters Goes to Prison!

by Ginger Killion, ACS, ALB - Area 91 Assistant

Daylighters Toastmasters held a meeting on March 28, 2017 at the Coffee Creek Correctional
Facility so that Area 91 Director Angela Kim could make an official club visit. Angela is past
president of Audacious Orators, which is located at Coffee Creek, where she is a resident.
Ken Coomes, Rick Clements, Cathy Harris, Naomi Inman, Marvin Mitchell, Lorri Andersen
and Ginger Killion—all Daylighters members—attended the meetng, along with Immediate Past
District 7 Director Michelle Alba-Lim.
Daylighters President Ken Coomes and Audacious Orators President Carolyn Exum opened the
meeting together. Rick Clements, Daylighters Vice President of Education, served as Toastmaster
of the evening and carried the theme “Seasons of Toastmasters” throughout the meeting. Cathy
Harris of Daylighters gave a speech and was evaluated by a member of Audacious Orators. Angela
Kim of Audacious Orators gave a speech evaluated by a member of Daylighters.
Other roles were shared by both groups.

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