We’re ramping up energy in support of SPARK: Sexualization Protest: Action, Resistance, Knowledge, a growing movement to push back on the sexualization of girls and push forward girls’ right to an embodied, healthy sexuality.

The October 22nd SPARK Summit will launch an intergenerational movement to support and stand with girls. In response to the American Psychological Association’s Task Force Report on Sexualization of Girls, the most downloaded documented in the history of APA’s website, the SPARK Summit will engage teen girls to be part of the solution rather than to protect them from the problem, giving them the tools they need to become activists, organizers, researchers, policy influencers, and media makers.

Activists and organizers around the country are contributing to SPARK already by drawing attention to the issue of early sexualization.  In our series called  “30 Allies in 30 Days,” Hardy Girls Healthy Women is highlighting thirty fabulous individuals who are actively doing their part to ignite SPARK. Our first ally is Dr. Lyn Mikel Brown:

I’m co-founder of  Hardy Girls Healthy Women, professor of Education at Colby College, author, and activist. I’m also the Powered By Girl (PBG) campaign organizer, which means I work with amazingly creative and smart teen girls who are contributing their voices and activism to SPARK.  I’m adding my spark to this movement because I’m tired of the pornifed images that pass as female sexuality in media and I want to do what I can to make room for girls to say who they are and what they want.

Dr. Lyn Mikel Brown

Part of “30 Allies in 30 Days” Learn more about the SPARK Summit and check back tomorrow for our next ally!

originally posted at Hardy Girls Healthy Women‘s blog.