Mrs Z Meakins
Head of Psychology St. Anselm's College, Liverpool UK

After Jessica transitioned in 2010, she took a psychology class at Hancock College, a campus near to where she lived in Santa Maria, CA. She took this class hoping to learn more about the transgender and gender non-conforming communities, and had thoughts of one day maybe becoming a therapist to help others in a position similar to hers.

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While taking this class, she came out to her professor, Tom Vandermolen, who in turn asked her to share her transgender journey with her classmates. Her first presentation lasted approx 20 minutes, and it has led her to become one of the most travelled and sought after transgender awareness speakers in the world. Since 2010, Jessica has presented to hundreds of thousands of students in 28 countries around the world. She feels these students will be the next leaders in the world, and this is the best way to educate all of them while they are still in school, learning, and with open minds.

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Over the last number of years, Jessica has started speaking with, and has developed presentations for students as young as 10 years old. One of the only countries that really allows students under 18 to hear and learn about transgender issues, is the UK. Not only does the British government accept it, but they encourage their students to learn more about these issues. 

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In 2017, Stonewall UK asked Jessica to be a Role Model Speaker for their organisation, and she has given a large number of presentations collaborating with them. Her name has been shared, and she now gives many presentations for aged under 18 students every year.  Her thoughts are "If we can educate these future leaders at a younger age, what a better world it will be for everyone."

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Past speaking engagements with youth under 18

 

The Holmesdale School.......Snodland, England

Alderwasley Hall School....Derbyshire, England 

Callington Community College....Callington, England​ 

Hurworth School....Darlington, England

Eskdale School....Whitby, North Yorkshire, England​ 

George Dixon Academy....Birmingham, UK

St John Fisher Catholic High School....N Yorkshire, England

Hazel Oak School...West Midlands, England

Notting Hill and Ealing High School...London, UK

Hueneme High School...Oxnard, California

Ashlawn School...Rugby, England

Bitterne Park School...Southampton, England

Blue Coat Church of England Academy...Birmingham, England

Dane Court Grammar School...Kent, England

Norwich High School for Girls....Norfolk, England 

St. Anselm's College...Liverpool, England

Putney High School...Putney, London England

King Edward V1 College...Stourbridge, England​

Prior's Field School.....Surrey, England

The Maplesden Noakes School....Kent, England

Queen Elizabeth Grammar School...Penrith, England

Pridelines youth LGBT Centre....Miami, Florida

Arroyo Grande High School....Arroyo Grande, California

Atascadero High School....Atascadero California  

GALA Q-Youth.....San Luis Obispo, California

John Glenn Middle School GSA...Indio, California (Online)

Brighton Girls....Brighton, England  (Online)

Upton Hall School FCJ...Birkenhead, England (Online)

Northwood College for Girls.... Middlesex, England  (Online)

Wimbledon High School....London, England  (Online)

Newcastle High School for Girls...Newcastle, England  (Online)

Off The Record, Bath (Youth LGBTQ Group)....Bath, England  (Online)

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