WASHINGTON DC, Feb 7, 2002/ FW/ --- A recent survey commissioned by Secret Anti-perspirant shows that more than half of girls have been threatened with violence, 64 percent have been teased about their appearance, 71 percent are currently on a diet and 26 percent have cut or burned themselves.

Now, more than ever, young girls need to learn the necessary tools to battle issues, like poor body image and depression, that lead to this behavior.

In response to this need, Secret Anti-perspirant continues its commitment to the Secret to Self-Esteem program, which is designed to teach girls and their mothers or mentors the importance of building healthy self-esteem through the development of physical, emotional and mental strength.

Annual Symposium Kicks Off Program

The 2002 program will kick off with an educational and action-packed symposium at George Washington University on February 6, 2002. More than 250 girls from middle schools in Washington, D.C. and surrounding areas, and their mentors, will attend the event, which features strong, successful female role models such as R&B singer Christina Milian; Los Angeles Sparks star center Lisa Leslie; U.S. Women's Nation Soccer team member and Olympic gold medalist Tiffeny Milbrett; WNBA All-Star Chamique Holdsclaw; Olympian, Paralympian and eight-time Boston Marathon winner Jean Driscoll; and female world record-holder for most Tae Kwon Do world titles Lynnette Love.

Leading the symposium is Dr. Ann Kearney-Cooke, director of the Cincinnati Psychotherapy Institute, Distinguished Scholar for the Partnership for Women's Health at Columbia University, and noted expert in self-esteem issues for adolescents and women.

" Many young girls experience hurtful behavior and confusing feelings that can rattle an already fragile self-esteem, including bullying from other teens, rejection by peers, depression and poor body image," says Dr. Kearney-Cooke. "When teens learn the appropriate tools to handle these situations and emotions, they're able to build the confidence they need to grow into healthy, happy adults."

Program Teaches Emotional, Physical and Mental Strength

The Secret to Self-Esteem program was developed by Secret and Dr. Kearney-Cooke in 1998 to help girls become strong women. This year's newly redesigned curriculum teaches practical and timely tips and techniques for developing three key strength areas: Emotional, Physical and Mental.

• Emotional Strength: Dealing with stress and regulating moods in a positive way to decrease reliance on unhealthy tension reduction activities such as overeating, drug/alcohol abuse and physical self-harm (e.g., cutting or burning oneself).



• Physical Strength: Building a positive body image by embracing exercise and fitness as a means to gain strength, not to lose weight or alter appearance to fit into society's current beauty ideal.



• Mental Strength: Creating a personal vision to provide meaning and direction through setting goals; fostering critical thinking skills to develop opinions, make informed decisions and be a creative problem-solver.

"Secret recognizes that adolescence can be a difficult time," says AnneMarie Mingo, brand manager for Secret Anti-perspirant. "That's why we're dedicated, through our ongoing commitment to feminine strength, to helping girls develop their emotional, mental and physical strength."

The symposium will consist of breakout sessions for girls and their mentors that address timely issues facing teens as uncovered by a survey conducted by seventeen.com for the Secret to Self-Esteem program. These issues include bullying, body image and relationships, to name a few. An exciting new addition this year is the introduction of Tae Kwon Do to the symposium agenda. Not only does Tae Kwon Do build physical power, it's a healthy activity that teaches the importance of centering oneself mentally and emotionally.

Teen Esteem Tour Goes Grassroots

Following the Symposium, Secret will launch a five-city Teen Esteem Tour featuring the program's ambassadors, Dr. Kearney-Cooke and Christina Milian, to bring the self-esteem message to thousands of girls in middle schools across the country. In Philadelphia, Minneapolis, Dallas, Los Angeles and San Francisco, girls will have the opportunity to learn the techniques for building self-esteem taught at the symposium, including 10 tips for developing strength designed to help teens, parents and mentors.

Immediately following each middle school event, Secret will bring its message of feminine strength for girls to a mall in each city with fun activities that embody the three pillars of the Secret to Self-Esteem program's curriculum: emotional, physical and mental strength. Activities will include a rock climbing wall; Mind/Body/Soul Zone featuring yoga, relaxation and Tae Kwon Do; "I See Myself As" -- photo ID badges where participants can dress up in costumes, wigs and hats and take a picture; and a self-expression wall to articulate thoughts, feelings and humor.

Secret® Anti-perspirant is the #1 selling brand of anti-perspirant and deodorant for women. Secret stands for feminine strength and continues to embrace helping girls become strong women. For more information on Secret to Self-Esteem, visit www.secret.com.