'Girl Code': Mentoring Program creates space for women to bond over struggles, experiences

By Jeremy Bellande, Nicholson Student Media

Members of the Big Sister Little Sister Mentoring Program and three other organizations dressed up in pajamas and talked about the struggles of girls in their first-ever Girl Code event Wednesday.

The first ever Girl Code event took place Wednesday where panelists from Big Sister Little Sister and three other organizations came together dressed in pajamas to talk about problems girls commonly face.

Jeremy Bellande

"Our organization is a mentorship program aimed at helping us as women navigate through the ups and downs of college life with someone to guide you and a network of sisters to support you," President Muahbohn Dahn said.

As some topics filled the room with laughter and all-around connecting community, others grasped everyone with a sense of seriousness and serious reflection.

BSLS hosted the event along with the National Society of Black Women in Medicine, Crown to Crown Mentoring Club and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc.

Dahn said the Girl Code event has never been done before. The event had a panel of women from four women-led organizations on UCF's campus, where they freely discussed some of the common problems women face.

The issues mentioned at the event included hardships in romantic relationships, friendships, human rights and mental health.

One topic spoken at the panel was what the girls referred to as the "taboo topic," which was navigating sex as a girl in college.

Dahn, a junior at UCF along with other members, came up with the event idea after talking about the problems they faced individually and societally. She said that the topic of hook-up culture was significant to her.

"I feel like it's something a lot of girls don't talk about because we are really ashamed," Dahn said. "I feel like it's important for girls to talk about."

Ti’lar Hearst, a junior health sciences major at UCF, is the vice president of BSLS and was actively engaged in the questions, asking some to the panelists and members of the audience. She was also adding to some of the responses.

"Every now and then, we need a reminder that some friendships are worth having," Hearst said. "I feel like this event was necessary."

Ariel Datilus, a UCF junior who's majoring in elementary education and BSLS's secretary, also took part in asking some of the questions. She was one of the main people opening the floor for audience members to speak.

"When talking about dating, there were talks about having options, being single, or just staying with one person. I think the discussion here just kind of reminded me that it's not the only way," Datilus said, referring to staying single or exploring her options. "We have one life to live."

BSLS plans on having this event again in spring. The organization encouraged girls to come because it wants them to have an open space to discuss their problems. Guys were also encouraged to go so there can be a different perspective within the discussion.