COLUMBUS, Ohio — What started as a research project is now a functioning program in hundreds of schools around the country. 

What You Need To Know

  • ROX started as a research program in 2006 with 57 girls

  • The program is to build confidence in adolescent girls and give them the tools they need to be successful 

  • The program is 500 schools in 22 different states 

  • The founder designed the program for girls in 5th through 12th grade 

School counselors and psychologists, like Sara Timms, are helping girls find their inner confidence. Timms worked in the school system for over 26 years, witnessing things like drama, social media, and body image affecting young girls.

“It starts with just how they feel about themselves and overcoming some of those obstacles that are out there naturally for young girls and women,” said Timms. 

When she heard about ROX, she knew instantly the effect it could have. Lisa Hinkleman created ROX, which stands for Ruling Our Experience, after realizing she wasn’t alone in her struggles with confidence and self-worth.

“I realized that as I got older, that experience wasn’t unique for me (and) that a lot of girls are going through really hard challenges,” said Hinkleman.

ROX started as a research program in 2006 after finding that 50% of girls felt they weren’t smart enough for their dream job. Hinkleman piloted the program with 57 girls in three different Columbus City Schools.

“We began to understand and learn how we could teach girls the skills that they needed to interface with their peers to stand up for themselves, to develop confidence in a world that's constantly telling them they’re not enough,” said Hinkleman.

The program is now in 500 schools in 22 different states. The program targets girls in 5th through 12th grade. ROX research found confidence among girls drops 27% between 5th and 9th grade. 

One of the 5th grade girls the ROX program serves is Isabella Crabtree. Crabtree is one of twelve girls in Devonshire Elementary’s ROX program led by Timms. Crabtree identified with Hinkleman as she struggled with confidence and body image at the start of 5th grade. She said ROX became her safe place.

“They were just like me,” said Crabtree. “They could just be someone I could talk to and really be who I am around them.” 

In the program, she’s learned about empathy, kindness and self-worth. As she heads into middle school, she said she’ll keep her ROX lessons handy.

“I will take the braveness that it gave me, the empathy and the self-confidence,” said Crabtree. 

Any girl in grades 5 through 12 can be in the ROX program. If you are interested in bringing the ROX program to your school, you can visit their website here. 

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