The program on Sunday, March 1, from 4 to 8 p.m., invites youth to enjoy a "night out" with girlfriends, complete with a party-like atmosphere full of support and inspiration.
"There'll be a lot of fun, and I think they may not understand how transformative it might be until they're in it," said Chelsey Goodan, an author and international speaker on women and girls' empowerment. "That girl supporting girl energy of everyone agreeing with you, you feel not alone, and then that's where the magic happens."
Girls will enjoy a keynote presentation and book signing with Goodan, along with learning new skills and gaining knowledge about themselves.
"The narrative out there around teenage girls is quite negative. People like me, like the Empower Campaign, are stepping in to meet the girls where they're at," Goodan said. "Because in my experience working with girls, we are underestimating them."
The Empower Campaign uplifts women and youth by creating communities of connectivity, something Goodan said girls often don't get access to.
"They'd never really been in a room where everyone was truly committed to encouraging and celebrating them," Goodan said. "If we can have women not tearing each other down and competing in a future, that's a bright future for all of women, and so that's certainly what we're trying to build and cultivate."
Bouquet making, permanent jewelry and photo booth opportunities are just a few of the other fun activities in store for attendees.
"I believe Gen Z is the cycle-breaking generation of so many patterns that have become outdated," Goodan said. "We're looking at girls who have big dreams for themselves, who don't see limits in the way that past generations of girls have seen."
According to Goodan, Girls Night will challenge stereotypes that women and girls face throughout their lives and will demonstrate that they have nothing to prove.
"You are powerful, you have an inspiring voice, you can be a change agent," Goodan said. "It's about interrupting the narrative that currently exists around teenage girls and instead infusing it with hope."
More Local Events: ABC7 In Your Community | Submit Your Event to ABC7