“It’s easy for girls to judge you by what you wear and what you look like, but because of Girl Talk I have learned to see through those misconceptions.” - Collins, 7th Grade, Girl Talk Girl
“Girl Talk has proven itself to be a highly effective program with both our Middle and Upper School girls. It provides the older girls with a positive and organized way to be leaders while providing the younger girls with tools to help them grow into healthy independent woman. There is no doubt in my mind that our students will look back and remember the advice they were given and experiences they had with their Girl Talk leaders and peers. It is an powerful, fun, and exciting addition to our school day!” - Kara Friedman MS, EdS, NCC, LPS, Girl Talk Advisor & Advisory Board Member
"Girl Talk is much more than a place for middle school girls to feel safe and form relationships - the high school Leaders benefit indefinitely from the program's one-on-one mentoring structure as well. When you become a Girl Talk leader, you begin to understand that being a leader is more than just standing up in front a group and telling them what to do. It's embracing the incredible lessons of Girl Talk for yourself; literally walking the walk and talking the talk. Girl Talk helped me discover that being a true leader is continuing to lead while no one is watching. I will never be able to convey my gratitude to the founders and many volunteers of Girl Talk, but trying my hardest to give back to the community, whether at my high school or in my new college town, will have to suffice for now. Truly, Girl Talk has changed my life." - Courtney Kissack, Girl Talk Leader
“Girl Talk has taught me so much, I can’t wait to be a Girl Talk Leader next year!" - Brittany Davis, 8th Grade, Girl Talk Girl
“I am a Girl Talk Leader and have been for the past two years. Middle school was so hard for me and when I heard about Girl Talk, I instantly knew I could give back and help middle school girls not go through what I did. What I didn’t know was that being a Girl Talk Leader would open up so many doors for me as a “community leader”. I love being greeted by hugs by middle school girls I see around town, but most importantly I am proud of the difference this program has allowed me to make in my community. I am truly a better person because of it and look forward to this school year and becoming even better. Thank you Girl Talk!" - Meredith Head, Girl Talk Leader & Teen Advisory Board Member
“Girl Talk has changed my life in so many ways. It has been a great outlet for me and I have every intention of working with Girl Talk in the years to come. I told myself when I started my Chapter, if I could help one girl avoid the mistakes I made when I was younger, everything I went through would be worth it. My dreams have come true this year and I am so thankful for the continued encouragement and opportunities Girl Talk has provided me with." - Kerry Grogin, Girl Talk Leader & 2008 Girl Talk National Leader of the Year
“Girl Talk has taught me that I am someone special.” - Jackie, Girl Talk Girl, 7th Grade
“Our sixth grade class was the worst the school had ever seen! Through Girl Talk we changed that.” - Mia, Girl Talk Girl, 8th Grade
“Girl Talk teaches you to respect everyone and T.H.I.N.K before you talk. I have also learned that you need to treat people with kindness and respect." - Caleigh, Girl Talk Leader, 10th Grade
“In my 45 years of educational leadership, I have not witnessed a more productive activity for middle school girls. I only wish that all of the girls at the age level across the country could have the privilege of a similar experience.” - W.T. Henry, Headmaster, Deerfield-Windsor School
“I think for girls to know that they are not alone in this and to help each other through it is such a wonderful thing.” - Maureen, Parent of a Girl Talk Leader
“Girl Talk is a support system for young girls. The program helps girls find strength and courage within themselves, which is so important to their self esteem during the teenage years. Even as Miss Teen USA, the times I have volunteered and worked with various Chapters, I have walked out feeling empowered! Keep up the good work.” - Stevi Perry, Miss Teen USA 2008
“Honestly I was so impressed with Haley as the founder of Girl Talk that I wanted to learn more about the organization and certainly see how I might help. There are several reasons I believe in Girl Talk and the mission of helping young girls. First of all, I was once a young girl in middle school and I remember how difficult those years were. Personally and professionally I recognize the challenges of the pre-teen and early teen years and Girl Talk makes a difference by allowing girls to explore key issues and build skills around a healthy respect for self and others, intrapersonal relationships, effective communication, as well as some of the specific concerns the girls might have. One of the more impressive aspects of Girl Talk is the safe environment for the exploration and skill building. And even more importantly in an environment in which these young girls thrive – a group setting with high school girls mentoring the younger girls–this model is the most developmentally appropriate and effective model for interacting with this particular age group.” - Kelli Ritter, Ph.D. & Girl Talk Advisory Board Member
“Your work in establishing a mentoring program for middle school girls is an inspiration to other young women who want to make a difference in their school and community.” - Betty Siegel, Founder, Siegel Institute for Leadership, Kennesaw State University
“Girl Talk makes a difference in a young girl’s life everyday- I wish I would have had ‘Guy Talk’ when I was growing up.” - Chad Michael Murray, Actor
“CosmoGIRL!” honored Haley Kilpatrick with the CosmoGIRL! of the Year Scholarship last year for her creative and thoughtful idea to start a mentoring program for middle school girls. Haley is doing on a grass-roots level what CosmoGIRL! does on a national level; she helps teen girls feel more comfortable in their own skin.” - Chandra Czape, Deputy Editor CosmoGIRL! Magazine
“I am amazed at the success of Girl Talk. Dads are unaware of what their daughters go through, and a lot of dads who hear the issues don’t take them seriously. The impact girls have on other girls really puts things into perspective.” - Robert Johnston, Girl Talk Dad
“Do you remember your middle school years? I certainly do. My experience was full of uncertainty about who I was and what I stood for. I strove to be a Leader, but when no one else agreed with me, my efforts fell to the wayside, and I followed the crowd. The crowd that I followed was the popular one. I can’t tell you how many times I tried to nudge into the tight knit circle formed at break to be a part of the daily gossip. Gossiping went against everything I wanted to be, but I felt to be included it was necessary.
Once I entered high school, I finally found out who I was. I am Mary Catherine, a strong, independent leader who doesn’t need the popular girl’s approval to succeed. I started mentoring through Girl Talk and found that I was not the only one who experienced this in middle school. From mentoring young girls through their middle school years, my life has been enriched. I have found and a sense of accomplishment in seeing the cruel cycle of middle school change. Girls are finally standing up for themselves and carving out their own path, one tat others will follow in the future. Not only do the girls benefit from Girl Talk but the Leaders do as well.
From being a Leader, I have developed essential skills that have spilled over into other aspects of my life. Selflessness and generosity become a way of life for Leaders and that positive spirit shapes the girls’ attitudes. Being a Leader requires dedication to the high expectations placed before you. Whether you realize it or not, the girls you mentor are religiously watching and following your footsteps because you represent a woman they wish to become. Leading Girl Talk requires dedication that is immensely rewarding because you help transform lives.” - Mary Catherine Kinney, Girl Talk Leader (4 years) & 2006 National Leader of the Year