Training Institute

Hardy Girls Training Institute offers strengths-based training* for both adults and youth in Maine schools and community organizations to help create hardiness zones—spaces that equip girls & gender-expansive youth with the knowledge and critical thinking skills to gain more control over their lives and become change catalysts in their communities.

We offer both one-time and multi-session workshops for youth (primarily girls and nonbinary youth) and youth-serving adults. Adult workshops can be done in person or virtually. We will work with you to find the best workshop structure for your school or community!

Fees are based on the length of the training/workshop, the number of participants, and any travel required. For more information, email us at training@hghw.org.

*Our strengths-based training program is informed by the expertise and research of Hardy Grls’ co-founder, Lyn Mikel Brown, EdD.

(1) and (2) https://mottpoll.org/reports/how-pandemic-has-impacted-teen-mental-health
(3) https://www.wsj.com/articles/facebook-knows-instagram-is-toxic-for-teen-girls-company-documents-show-11631620739

Here's where we've been most recently!

Lewiston High School
Holbrook School
Dexter Regional HS
Gould Acadamy
Winthrop Grade School
Jobs For Maine’s Graduates
Gardiner Regional Middle School
Lyman Moore Middle School
King Middle School

Daniel F. Mahoney Middle School
Memorial Middle School
Scarborough Middle School
Gorham Middle School
North Yarmouth Acadamy
Falmouth Middle School
Hebron Acadamy
Greely Middle School

Training Clients Include:

Parent University through Portland Public Schools
SMCC Residential Staff
York Middle School faculty and staff
South Portland School District, Maine
Gender Matters of Sullivan County, New Hampshire
Camp Nicolet, Wisconsin
Girls Soar Conference, Nova Scotia
Maine Idea Camp for Girls, Maine
Tabor Academy, Massachusetts
YNPN/USM MSW students, Maine
Greely PTA, Maine
and more!

What our participants tell us about our trainings & Workshops

"I learned that the media shows one type of girl that we should all be like, but we can be whoever we want."

"I learned that everyone has insecurities and that no one should judge someone."

"I learned it doesn't matter what size, color, what you wear, and how big your boobs and butt are, it matters on your personality."

"I learned it's okay not to be perfect and not meet everyone's expectations."

"I learned about stereotyping in the media and what society perceives as a 'perfect woman."

Student Participants

Hardy Girls Workshops

“Thank you so much. I so appreciate your work and knowledge. We need more open conversations like this as a school community.”

High School Teacher

Adult Training Participant

"As a camp director and more importantly as the mother of a teenage girl, I really appreciated the tone set in this training. I have found that the messages out there for girls in the media are so toxic right now and I find it refreshing to hear a message about changing the message rather than changing the girls who are just trying to figure out how to have a voice and power in a difficult society."

Shannon, training client

Chimney Corners Camp for Girls