What We Do
Empowering girls to succeed academically, lead confidently, live boldly, and thrive physically.
Feminism is at the core of GALS Inc. as the belief in equal rights, physical well-being, and emotional safety for all. We believe that schools are the primary setting for the development and growth of young people today, and therefore schools are the place where change-makers are created. GALS Inc. serves students in our schools no less than seven hours a day, five days a week, and approximately 35 weeks a year. This equals, on average, 1,100 hours. We believe it will take that much investment in our young people in order to push forward the work of gender equity.
GALS Inc. is an organization that creates gender-based schools around the country that teach Whole-Bodied Education, defined by learning and living with our minds, our hearts, and our bodies.
GALS Inc. intentionally creates schools that serve students of all backgrounds and consults with organizations that are interested inWhole-Bodied Education and leadership.
Who we are and who we want to be is represented in our worldview:
GALS Inc. defines feminism as advocating for basic security of girls and women and the promotion of equal access to financial and political power. Feminism is a non-gendered term and can be endorsed and acted upon by all.
GALS Inc. utilizes the synergy between movement and positive gender focus as the baseline for the school environment and pedagogy. We call this “Whole-Bodied Education.”
At their core, GALS Inc. schools are about personalization, which is defined as all students being known well by the adults in the building. As a result, the schools can effectively differentiate and provide challenges and support based on the strengths and talents of each individual.
GALS Inc. schools strive to be intentionally inclusive of all backgrounds: socioeconomic, religious, ethnic, gender identity, sexual orientation, and special learning needs. GALS believes that this diversity is the foundation for a strong learning environment in which students develop skills to engage in civil discourse and become civically active in our local, national, and international communities.
GALS Inc. graduates are able to make choices and take actions that are aligned with their own personal values and aspirations. GALS graduates have deep self-knowledge along with strong skills in critical thinking and collaboration, which prepares them to make authentic choices and pursue their goals for the future.
“Liz and Nina were going up against some of the most intractable and inflexible thinking that exists in our society—demanding that we profoundly rethink what girls need to truly engage in their education. They took that vision and created the infrastructure to make dynamic, mind-body, substantive, educationally sound schools. Not only did they have the vision, they had the ability to make that vision a reality.”
“Imagine going to a school where everyone does circuits or yoga or runs every day, and not just the students, the teachers and administrators too. A school where there are movement breaks for the brain and body and kick-ass music as bells in between classes. Where girls learn and own responsible action through inquiry rather than rules demanded of them. GALS Inc. really is quite magical.”
- TUTI SCOTT, PRESIDENT, CHANGEMAKER STRATEGIES
Only 12% of the top 100 grossing films of 2019 were directed by women.
Girls who attend girls’ schools overcome gender stereotypes.
GALS is the idyllic manifestation of Title IX.
Diversity boosts creativity, reasoning, and social skills.
94% of businesswomen in C-suite positions played sports growing up.
With every increase of 10% in girls going to school, a country’s GDP rises by 3%.
Women entrepreneurs are outperforming male counterparts with less capital.
Gender discrimination costs the global economy up to $26 trillion annually.
Thought Papers
Why Movement?
At GALS, we know the impact of physical activity on academics. Beyond the joy, energy, and confidence our students gain from movement, research demonstrates that daily exercise improves memory, attention, and cognition. Sports participation also boosts self-esteem and civic engagement. Movement prepares our students to live long, fulfilled lives. Read more…
Why Competition?
Our vision of competition combines movement, girls, and diversity. We are going against trends in club sports to ensure every student experiences the benefits of competition. Competition is a feminist value: it teaches collaboration, grit, and confidence in young women. At GALS Inc., competition makes our students agents of change. Read more…
Why Girls?
Though women have made significant strides, we are far from a world free of gender stereotypes. Women still struggle to achieve financial independence, political power, and basic safety. GALS is about creating space for young women to become themselves and better navigate a world filled with gender inequity. Read more…
Why Diversity?
Ideas originating from a diverse group are stronger than those from an echo chamber. While many people reside comfortably in homogenous communities, we want more for our students. By fostering diversity at GALS, we improve our students’ communication skills, creativity, and reasoning and prepare them for an evolving world. Read more…
Links for Further Reading
GALS Inc. in the News
Girls
Movement
Spark: The Revolutionary New Science of Exercise and the Brain by John Ratey M.D. with Eric Hagerman
“If you want to be a CEO later, play sports now” by Abigail Hess via CNBC
Diversity
Relational Learning