THE STATUS
OF GIRLS IN
NORTH CAROLINA

The President’s Message

Our Meredith College faculty and students are proud to release the 2017 Report on the Status of Girls in North Carolina. Following the results of the 2013 report and its dissemination to educators, legislators, and community organizations, we realized that the data and focus of this report merit ongoing monitoring.

In the course of the four years between reports, some aspects of the lives of girls have improved—most notably fewer pregnancies, slightly less television viewing, and more active civic engagement. Other factors, including the use of social media, physical inactivity, and increased poverty rates, reflect ongoing concerns for the health and well-being of girls in our state.

In addition to the quality of life overall for girls in North Carolina, we must pay particular attention to those who are falling between the cracks—most likely those of minority races, ethnicities, and sexual orientation. The disparate levels of poverty, juvenile offending, and educational attainment among minority and majority girls continues to plague our state.

At the core of Meredith College’s educational values is a persistent commitment to the well-being and upward mobility of all girls in our state. We know that as any individual girl makes progress, her impact on others may also inspire change. At the very least, her advancement affects the quality of life for her current and future family, as well as her career opportunities and her community. In short, as girls make progress, our state makes progress.

As an investment in us all, girls of all races, ethnicities, and sexual orientation must be encouraged, supported, challenged, and praised for making good decisions, for asking for and responding to offers of help, for seeking out positive role models, and for aligning themselves with allies.

Dr. Jo Allen, ‘80
President of Meredith College