Creating world woman leaders: Missions, mechanisms, and experiences of empowerment at the Seattle Girls’ School
Abstract
The Seattle Girls’ School is unique in its mission statement specifically directing the school to empower its students. In exploring the success of this single-sex middle school, the author places the school within the wider context of single-sex education, gender bias, and female adolescent development. Data analysis from interviews conducted with students and staff reveals a remarkably transformative environment, in terms of both formal and informal school structures. There is a clear and direct transference of empowerment from the school’s mission statement to the students. The author calls for an in-depth longitudinal study of these students.