Founder Rhonda Gee.

Rhonda Gee is a master teacher at KIPP Durham, a charter school that teaches kindergartners through eighth grade. Gee’s daughter, Daniela, attends KIPP, and is now in sixth grade. 

“I began to notice my own daughter’s social struggles in school,” Gee told The Tribune. “I observed how she was always alone, never with the girls, never laughing and playing a lot, but usually just walking and doing things on her own because she was struggling to fit in.”

Daniela is neurodivergent, where the brain is wired for autism, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, learning disabilities and other conditions, according to a 2020 article in the British Medical Bulletin. 

However, significant disparities in studies of neurodivergence among girls and women exist. According to the Centers for Disease Control, autism is 3.4 times more prevalent among boys than girls, and boys are almost twice as likely as girls to receive an ADHD diagnosis. 

“Boys present a lot differently,” Gee said. “Sometimes it results in negative behavior, you'll see the fidgeting and all of the things; but girls, it's a little bit more subtle.”

The CDC’s 2026 report on ADHD says the disorder presents as inattention more frequently in girls than hyperactivity. “You can recognize it because they're there, they're present, and they're not really disturbing anyone, but they're not focused," Gee said.

Then, Daniela began talking about suicide in the fourth grade. “When she started talking about suicide and having suicidal ideation about killing herself, it's when I said there's something's got to be done,” Gee said. She founded Girls A.L.I.V.E. NC. A Durham interest meeting is July 18, 1 to 3 p.m., at the Southwest Regional Library.

Girls A.L.I.V.E. (Awareness, Love, Inclusion, Voice and Empowerment) aims to boost self-esteem and social skills among neurodivergent girls ages 10 to 18. The program allows girls of different age cohorts (10-12, 13-15, and 16-18) to socialize over similar interests like music and art, go on outings and do community service. 

“We talk about self-regulation. We talk about reintegrating back to schools, because we’re getting ready to go back to school,” which can be incredibly overstimulating, Gee said. “They can come in and just kind of talk and vibe and get to know each other to build connections and relationships with each other.”

At the interest meeting, parents can learn more about understanding the condition, an overview of the program offerings and calendars, family testimonials and impact data. With partners’ UNC Health, North Carolina Central University, Emerge Pediatric Therapy, and Fostering Advocacy, Communication, Empowerment and Support, or FACES, Gee hopes to launch an after school program. Beyond that, she said “there should be a Girls A.L.I.V.E. in every city.” 

“If your daughters are struggling, I just invite them to come and just check us out and see if we're a good fit,” Gee said. “See if their daughters are connecting with other girls there and feel a connection, because that's what we are here for. Community.”

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