Media and Expression: An Approach for Helping Girls Process Trauma

Teen Voices Editor and Publisher Jessica Moore wrote an article for Youth Media Reporter about using media to help teen girls process traumatic events in their lives.

When the earthquake struck Haiti in January, many of our teen editors received devastating news about family members that had not survived the disaster. Teen Voices reached out and provided a space for our Haitian teens to recount their memories and emotions in the aftermath of the earthquake. Later, some of those teens told their stories on radio shows in the Boston area.

In her article, Jessica discusses the ways that providing opportunities for teens to share privately and publicly can help them to process difficult emotions surrounding traumatic situations.

Remembering Three Powerful Leaders Lost in Haiti

By Teen Voices editorial intern Michelle Golden

Even before the devastating earthquake hit Haiti on January 12, the country was struggling to forge a hopeful future. On January 20, three leaders in the women’s movement in Haiti were proclaimed dead as a result of the quake. Myriam Merlet, Magalie Marcelin, and Anne Marie Coriolan were three innovative leading women who empowered other women by peacefully negotiating against violence and establishing rape as a crime in Haiti — a crime that was prevalent before it was made punishable.

According to CNN’s Jessica Ravitz, Merlet, 53, was the chief of staff of Haiti’s Ministry for Gender and the Rights of Women, established in 1995. Also the founder of Enfofamn, an organization that works towards raising awareness about women through media, Merlet often made an effort to get streets named after Haitian women.

Marcelin was another well-known activist, as well as an actress and lawyer. Known for establishing the women’s rights organization Kay Fanm, which focuses specifically on domestic violence, Marcelin helped women in need by offering shelter and services to domestic violence victims.

Coriolan founded the advocacy and services organization Solidarite Fanm Ayisye, or Solidarity with Haitian Women. She was acknowledged as the top advisor of the women’s rights ministry.

These inspiring leaders fought with pride to establish equality for Haitian women. We have them, and Haiti, in our hearts.

Haiti is in our thoughts and hearts at Teen Voices

The January 12 earthquake off the coast of Port-au-Prince has impacted an estimated 3 million Haitians, with the death toll expected to be in the tens of thousands. Emergency relief workers are having difficulty delivering aid and supplies as a result of demolished roads, buildings and other infrastructure. At Teen Voices, we hope to see the global community continue to band together and provide relief in the wake of this immense tragedy.

Teen Voices has many girls in our journalism mentoring program who have relatives and other loved ones in Haiti. On behalf of Teen Voices’ board members and staff, we send our thoughts and condolences to the girls in our program who have lost loved ones in this tragedy. We would like to remind them that, as always, our office is open if they feel we can help in any way—a listening ear, a shoulder to cry on, or just a space to connect with their friends and mentors. We are thinking of you, and of teen girls around the world who have been similarly impacted by this tragedy.

Teen Voices would like to encourage anyone who is able to donate to the disaster relief efforts in Haiti. Even a small amount makes a difference, and if everyone gives a little bit, it adds up quickly.

Here are some organizations to donate to.

American Red Cross
redcross.org
800-HELP-NOW
Donations can be made online. Text HAITI to 90999 to donate $10.

CARE
https://my.care.org/
800-422-7385

Catholic Relief Services
crs.org
877-HELP-CRS

Doctors Without Borders
Text DOB to 90999 to donate $10.

World Vision
worldvision.org
888-56-CHILD