Ina Bhoopalma from Lincoln East High School saw the need for change regarding gender equality throughout our community and our world. After discovering the United Nations program, “Girl Up,” she decided to create her own program, “Like a Girl,” after realizing that there were no “Girl UP” programs within Nebraska or even the Midwest.  “Our mission is to enable all genders throughout Lincoln Public Schools and beyond to recognize their full potential.  We fulfill our mission by committing ourselves to this cause and striving to run programs that empower youth and advocate for equality all over our world.”

Bhoopalma, along with many other members that are apart of this program, are currently working to register “Like a Girl” as a non-profit organization, as well as extending their reach throughout the United States and ultimately the world.

This whole journey started when Bhoopalma decided to reach out to a trusted teacher at East High, Mr. Flowerday, and from there he directed her to the District Superintendent of Secondary Education, Dr. Hunter-Pirtle, to jumpstart this idea. Now, “Like a Girl” and “Girl Up LPS” are launching throughout the first semester of this year. Bhoopalma realized and felt the personally affect of these issues regarding gender equality and diversity, when she experienced bullying because she is a girl that was involved in “traditionally boy” activities. “They started to put me down, this group of 20-25 people that constantly all they would do was tell me that I couldn’t do certain things because I was a girl,” explains Bhoopalma. “I kind of realized how lucky I was to have a good supportive group of friends and family, and all of the resources I needed to thrive, which unfortunately a lot of other kids don’t have to get them through situations like this.” Bhoopalma decided she didn’t want to “wallow in self pity,” so she wanted to introduce something to LPS that would educate women of all ages how to learn how to deal with situations like her own, build confidence, as well as educate other genders that girls aren’t inferior or any less than anyone else.

Now, the Founder and President of Like a Girl and Girl Up LPS has organized a program that reaches out to girls as young as elementary age. High school leaders run the Elementary sessions throughout the year. “The curriculum for this program is created to ensure that the girls coming out of this program will understand that they are truly capable individuals who possess the power to make change in our world.” The curriculum is made by the “Like a Girl” team, and there are currently 11 programs in 6 different LPS elementary schools across Lincoln that are running.

At a middle school level, which are also lead by high school students, the goal is to build confidence within the members and to work on enhancing their education, as well as feeling the empowerment that they should. This curriculum has also been crafted by the Like a Girl team, as well as help from Girl Up United Nations. High schoolers that participate in the program focus on working on conducting activities and events that advocate, promote and fundraise awareness of the issues that girls around the world are facing.

Many events have already taken place that have been lead by “Like a Girl.” For example, last spring, a Global 5k run was held at Maxey Elementary School. This was where the participants in the program raised money for girls in Guatemala, to help them get out of child marriage and into educational systems.. A sum of about $550 was raised just from the ten girls that attended.

There are a plethora of ways interested people can become active in this program and help raise awareness. “Girl empowerment is for anyone and every age group,” Bhoopalma says. The community can get involved in the elementary and middle school level. Parents can get involved by being on the Parent Committee and register as a parent/teacher supporter. Community members can attend the multitude of support groups and safe spaces and attend public events, much like the event held at Maxey. Bhoopalma says, “This is a club, this is a movement, this is a cause.”