Tomorrow’s Girls Become

Tomorrow’s Bright Future

Spoken word poet, and author of “Healing Her Hurts” a collection of short stories and poems dedicated to women, Pat McLean-RaShine is doing more than poetry nowadays; she is giving back to the community, her way. Mrs. RaShine has created a program for young women to nourish them with the power of being a girl. Tomorrow’s Girl is a program that Ms. RaShine envisioned while doing workshops with her poetry group, In the Company of Poets four years ago.

 

As they were doing workshops at a women’s shelter some of the little girls wanted to be involved so they asked if she could come back and do something for them later on and she did. It was suppose to be a one-day workshop but it turned into a summer program with the Peoples Emergency Program. It was mainly for the girls at the shelter but then she realized that it was something that had to be done. The program is now housed at Temple University under the umbrella of the PASCEP program.

 

The young women of Tomorrow’s Girls have learned a lot about cultures and self-appreciation through the arts and how the arts shape and mold a young girl into a woman that is conscious, strong, beautiful and determined.

 

We had the opportunity to meet with Pat and the young women of Tomorrow’s Girls and learn what they have in store for the future and how Tomorrow’s Girls has affected their lives.

Who is Tomorrow’s Girls for?

For girls ages eight to thirteen but I would like to expand it to eighteen. I would then break it into two parts because teen women experience different things and are dealing with different issues in life.

 

Is Tomorrow’s Girls still a work in progress?

Yes. I want it to be chapters all over the city. I want it to be a summer program and/or an after school program. The girls and I meet every Saturday for now because I also work a full-time job.

 

How important is Tomorrow’s Girls for you?

It is very important. I would give up my poetry career for it and I have had much success with In the Company of Poets. I want to see this vision become clearer.

 

Wow, and we know that you have been doing poetry for a long time.

Yes, but this is much more worthy if it makes a difference in these young women’s lives.

 

Are you surprised by what has come from Tomorrow’s Girls?

Having a little vision and watching it grow has been amazing. The outpouring of people who have been willing to help the girls and me has been awesome.

 

We know that you are in the process of seeking funding, what other means of support are you reaching out for?

We are applying for grants and we look for support from those that are independent. I need the support of women with training that can come speak with the young women.  We can use all the help that people can give because these girls deserve and need it.

 

What do you think about your talented young ladies?

I love them like my own. They are talented, they are good and they are inspiring and always looking to be inspired.

 

What issues if any should be addressed in the lives of young women?

Health issues, sexuality, and peer pressure. This is what the program is based around. Letting them know that they should love themselves and who they are.

 

What do you think of young women today?

I think that they are in trouble in almost every culture. From a person that rides public transportation, I hear and experience some things that people would not begin to imagine. When I am on the train during the school hours, if boys do something, ninety-nine percent of the time, they will excuse themselves. Girls look at me like, ‘I am your equal’ and that is when I knew that something had to be done.

 

What is some of the feedback that you have received about Tomorrow’s Girls?

Mostly from the parents after they have filled out the evaluation, they have said that they are pleased with the program and that they will do what they can to help it continue.

 

What advice do you give the young women?

You only need one good friend in life. You don’t need fifty-five girlfriends. Everyone wants to be a part of the in crowd, but you don’t have to do that. Everyone is not good for you. Find someone that has something in common with you.

 

What other projects are you working on?

My partner Debra Powell and I are in the process of putting together a women’s and young women’s three-day conference. All tying into the Tomorrow’s Girl program.

 

With all that you have going on with Tomorrow’s Girls, ITCOP, art, working and being a wife and mother, and grandmother, how do you juggle your day-to-day task?

I don’t know. I get it in whenever I can. I have been working for the city for a long time, 24 years and I have a lot of perks that out ways the pay. It allows me to do the things that I want to do; one thing is Tomorrow’s Girls.

 

How do you define success?

Making your dreams come true and for me that is Tomorrow’s Girls.

 

What have been the ups and downs, if any with Tomorrow’s Girls? 

Sometimes having to do it all myself. I have been discouraged before because I had to juggle so many things, but once I have gotten over that, there has been nothing but ups.

 

What’s next for Tomorrow’s Girls?

I would like to take it to the next level. I would like to start a three-day retreat. I would like to raise more money for the girls. I would like to start a scholarship program for young women who are going to college. The scholarship would fund them for living in college, not paying for college. There are so many things that are needed like food, etc…

 

Not to mention laptops, bedding, clothing, etc.

Pat: Yes, that is what it is about.

 

What are your last few words?

If you see a young girl in need, don’t just talk about it but be about it.

 

Tomorrow’s Girls is looking for donations of supplies (arts and crafts, reading material, etc.) from individuals and businesses. To learn more about Tomorrow’s Girls and their need for your support, please visit: www.tomorrowsgirls.org

 

Infinite MagaZine Copyright 2006