Speakers hope to empower Merced girls

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- A self-proclaimed confidence expert offered a motivating lesson to a group of local girls.

Students part of the Lift While You Lead empowerment program in Merced sat in on a special presentation Friday morning.

The program takes girls from 6th through 12th grade, giving them tools to learn how to become more confident and empowered in their everyday lives.

"If we can get girls to get past appearance based competition and bullying and to get into the fact that they are worthy and worthwhile leaders who can lift family and friends to different places," speaker Jess Weiner said.

Weiner is the CEO of a Los Angeles-based consulting firm working with major corporations to change their messaging towards women and girls.

She's also been named one of Forbes magazine's "14 Power Women to Follow" on Twitter.