Speaking & Events

How can we help girls navigate a world that tells them they’re equal yet frequently demeans them?

We must address gender bias and sexism with girls before they internalize it. 

But how can adults do this without scaring them or robbing them of the notion they live in a fair world? And what can parents do when they realize they’ve unconsciously been reinforcing stereotypes?

Like my book, Sexism & Sensibility: Raising Empowered, Resilient Girls in the Modern World, my talks offer research-backed, pragmatic, and empathetic advice delivered through storytelling. I give parents the tools to recognize how gender bias may be showing up in their own homes and to have conversations with their daughters about the sexism they will inevitably encounter. Girls will realize the problem lies in the culture — not in them.

Engagements with Jo-Ann spark growth!

My presentations leave parents feeling reassured and empowered. By helping girls develop the critical thinking skills to detect gender bias and sexism, their choices — everything from pastimes to clothing to whom they trust — will rest on a profound understanding of their culture. By fostering important ​“voices” in girls that increase their self-worth, they’ll be better equipped to stand up for themselves when demeaned or treated unfairly. The cornerstone of this approach is pleasure. If girls feel good in and about their bodies, and believe that their own pleasure matters, they’ll be able to identify when something feels bad, wrong, or inappropriate — and trust that their concerns are valid.

“Your presentation for Parent Venture was incredible — perfectly paced, compelling, and thought-provoking. I literally felt myself moving through my past, recalling incidents of sexism as a daughter, parent, and now grandparent. It makes me proud to see your book on my son and DIL’s bookshelf.”
Charlene Margot
The Parent Venture
Co-Founder + CEO