By Kristin McAllister Staff Writer
Monday, February 25, 2008
DAYTON — Teaching little girls how to act like proper young ladies while also boosting their self-esteem is a lost art and something Dayton native and former model Dawn Martin is trying to bring back.
Martin is chief operating officer of Just Dazzlind Productions, a Dayton-based company that strives to better youth by working with parents and educators in helping young boys and girls break through self-esteem barriers, feel empowered, motivated and embrace diversity.
"Education and diversity are very important," Martin said. "This goes across all groups, all colors. It's about taking that beyond these four walls."
Little "princesses" joined their "queen" and "king" mothers and fathers on Sunday, Feb. 24, during the Princess Club event downtown at Memorial Hall.
"The key ingredient we want them to learn is to love thyself and to love others," Martin said. "We want them to see examples of people who have succeeded and who respect themselves and others, and that those people are right in their own communities."
Consultant "queens" from throughout the region gave the "princesses" etiquette lessons in how to properly walk, dine and conduct themselves in public.
In becoming a member of the Princess Club, Martin said girls learn about GEMS, Girls Encouraged and Motivated for Success.
Madison Finley, 5, of Fairborn, and Amiah Johnson, 6, of Dayton, were named Little Princesses of the day and said they most enjoyed making new friends.
"And I liked learning how to walk the right way," Amiah added.
Her mother, Carmel, commended Martin for creating the club.
"There's not a lot of positive things happening in Dayton right now," she said. "It's nice to have something to bring little girls to that's positive and helps them with their self-esteem."
Madison beamed after winning two prize drawings and said she couldn't wait to tell her teacher all about the day and about the friends she made.
Her father, Philip, said the event seemed to help his daughter be less shy with other little girls.
"She really enjoyed herself today," he said. "This really helped her with her self-esteem."
Martin said she's also forming a nontraditional Father's Day event for fathers and sons, as well as for single-parent families, during which participants will tour an equestrian facility in Cincinnati.