Torch - Spring/Summer 2019

Grade 12 Drama students and Drama teacher (Risa Morris) participate in the Time4Change campaign in support of Toronto’s homeless youth.

“ “ Empowerment begins with every girl being listened to, accepted for who she is and having a voice to express herself. TABLE OF CONTENTS | SPRING/SUMMER 2019 • TORCH 15

There are more ways that we empower girls to become women of consequence than we have space to elucidate here: leadership opportunities, teacher advisory groups, guidance and learning support, Old Girls sharing their education and career stories, a culture of inquiry, to mention a few. We also take the time to model—through language and practice—that to be empowered is not to be entitled. In fact, these are entirely incompatible positions. What is the difference between the two? Empowerment is democratic, with shared authority, while entitlement is hierarchical, where the few fight to exercise authority over the many. Empowerment says, “I have value,” whereas entitlement says, “I have more value than you.” An empowered person is not afraid to say what she thinks; an entitled person believes only what she thinks matters. Empowerment accepts many perspectives, while entitlement views voices of opposition as a threat. As a school, we focus on empowerment, and teach our girls to inhabit their authority, confidence and community. Then we ask, “What will you do?”