"The difference between a lady and a flower girl is not how she behaves, but how she is treated." Eliza Doolittle in "My Fair Lady."

Many young women had their own Pygmalion experience Nov. 3rd at the Third Annual Young Women's Symposium at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Oxnard and Port Hueneme.

The goal of the annual Symposium is to help girls develop healthy attitudes and lifestyles. During this critical stage of their development, girls feel emerging self-doubts and a growing need for positive reinforcement from their peers. The theme of this year's symposium was "Respecting yourself and your body by learning how to present yourself everyday and in social situations."

Held at the Martin V. Smith Center on Fifth Street in Oxnard, the Symposium started at 2:00 with Mariela Jaime, the Club's 2007 Youth of Year, talking about "Life after the B&G Club and College." Then Sarah Stoval from the Coalition to End Family Violence facilitated discussions with the girls and the staff on knowing yourself and identifying your values. Kathleen Booth, Boys & Girls Club Board Member and Director of Organizational Effectiveness at Warner Bros., lead the girls in fun exercises teaching them how to introduce themselves and shake hands with poise and confidence.

The girls were then treated to a hair and make up session provided by Ulta and Macy's artists. They also received goodie bags filled with beauty products sponsored by Farouk, Orly, Joico and Ulta. After dinner the Teens conducted a Fashion Show with music provided by Q104. By 6:45pm the Young Ladies were primp and proper for an evening at the theater-provided by Oceanview Pavilion and Barbara Burnett, Public Relations, who generously provided free tickets to see "My Fair Lady" and use of their transportation van. After the play, the young ladies met the cast and posed for pictures with them. During the drive back to the Club, one of the young ladies announced that this was "the best day" of her life. The girls and staff ended the event with a full-blown pajama party, where they remembered what Eliza said : "I know I can be a lady to you because you always treat me as a lady, and always will."