Girlhood Charlotte

The Who and Why Behind Girlhood Charlotte

Diep Nguyen, MD, FAAP

Dr. Diep (pronounced like Yip) is the proud mother to Jackson and Hannah. She discovered her passion for taking care of children and adolescents while in college volunteering as a mentor for children in foster care. This led to her desire to become a pediatrician, where she now practices in the SouthPark area of Charlotte. Dr. Diep leans on her passion as a mom and pediatrician as co-founder of Girlhood Charlotte. By teaching puberty classes to small groups of tweens in an intimate in-home setting, GH-C aims to spark and facilitate delicate conversations of puberty for tween girls and their moms. Through these conversations, GH-C hopes to empower girls to love and accept their changing bodies while normalizing the ability to ask questions and talk about these topics with their moms and other trusted females.

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Mary Queen, BSN, CPT

Diep Nguyen, MD, FAAP

Mary Queen aka Mama Queen is a mom to 3 beautiful girls. She worked as a Labor and Delivery Nurse and experienced the amazing strength that a woman‘s body can endure when bringing life into this world. She has a passion to create a connection and safe space for the mother/daughter relationship. Having her 3 daughters, Mary learned early on how important it is to have good communication and a solid bond in order to talk about the uncomfortable things with her girls. She wants to share that knowledge through Girlhood, where small, intimate classes are in the comfort of one’s home and moms and daughters can learn about their changing bodies together. Mary is re-entering the nursing field as a Postpartum nurse and could not be more excited! She has worked as a group fitness instructor for the last decade and looks forward to combining her nursing and fitness background to empower these young girls and moms—both in mind and body—as they embark on this journey through puberty!

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Meet Our Teen Educators

Hannah

My name is Hannah Jarrell, daughter of Dr. Diep and after being a part of Girlhood it has shaped the way I see my life as a girl in more ways than one. Maturing and growing during these years is such an empowering thing and it unites us girls as one big community. We learn to love ourselves and our changing bodies, while also understanding the why and how. Being alongside my best friend and mom during this confusing time has been one of the greatest experiences. I have felt that depending on my loved ones has truly helped our bonds grow stronger. I have learned infinitely more about myself as a person and I am so blessed to be able to share that gift with other young women.

Becca

Hi! My name is Becca Queen, and I am the youngest of Mama Queen's three daughters and currently, in 8th grade. I am honored to help and be a part of Girlhood. Watching this business grow has truly been amazing. I love watching younger girls learn about puberty and helping them accept that what they are going through is completely normal. My favorite part as a teen educator is when someone asks a big question and seeing the relief on their face knowing they understand the why, especially if they are a little nervous to ask. I enjoy being part of a space where everyone can talk openly and feel supported. It’s so cool seeing how girls gain confidence throughout the class as they learn. Helping with these classes has taught me a lot too. I have learned that what happens during puberty is natural and that your mom understands a lot more than you think. Having my mom as a role model and someone I can rely on has been so great. Also, being with my best friend, Hannah, as teen educators is amazing. Helping girls grow stronger together by feeling supported and confident in puberty is something I am really proud of as part of Girlhood!

Lilly Queen

Hi, I am Lilly Queen, Mama Queen’s oldest daughter. I am currently eighteen years old and a senior in high school. I love science and anatomy and maybe one day I might possibly follow in my mom or Dr. Dieps footsteps. I love being a part of Girlhood Charlotte because I get to see my mom foster relationships in young girls and their moms like the one we share. Through Girlhood I have realized how lucky I am to have such an amazing mom who I can talk to about everything concerning puberty, hormones, and just life. I know that not everyone has this, but if I can help create this for another young girl, that is the most rewarding thing. Through these classes I hope I am someone your girls can relate to as I have more recently rand am still going through what they are experiencing right now. My favorite part of being involved in the classes is watching the girls ask silly questions with genuine interest and seeing their moms look back at them with such love and pride as they create a bond that will last long beyond the two hours spent with us! I am honored to represent Girlhood Charlotte and share my real life experiences as a teen with these girls to help equip them to be confident through puberty and beyond.

Frequently Asked Questions

Please reach us at girlhoodcharlotte@gmail.com if you cannot find an answer to your question.

What is Girlhood Charlotte all about?

Girlhood Charlotte was founded in 2024 by two local Charlotte women who have been friends since 2016. Mary Queen, a practicing nurse and a certified personal trainer, and Diep Nguyen, a practicing pediatrician at Atrium Health Levine Children’s Perspective Pediatrics, are moms of daughters. Conversations about how to help their now 11-year-old daughters navigate the ups and downs of puberty in the framework of how much misinformation they receive from social media sparked the idea of Girlhood Charlotte.

What is the main Goal and Objective of a Girlhood Charlotte class?

The goal of Girlhood Charlotte is to initiate the conversations about not just puberty, but about the other things in life your daughters may one day wonder about or experience. This class will explain the basics of female reproductive anatomy, the changes that happen during puberty and encourage our girls to get comfortable talking about uncomfortable topics. Through education in an intimate setting with their mom and friends, Girlhood Charlotte can empower girls to accept their bodies, build a community of shared experiences and gain greater confidence in who they are. Girlhood Charlotte hopes to help your daughters become STRONG GIRLS INTO STRONGER WOMEN.

One of the objectives at Girlhood Charlotte is to provide a comfortable space for moms and daughters to chat about the “nitty gritty” of puberty. What is more comfortable than your own home or a friend’s home? We will come to your house and provide a hands on, interactive conversation with your friends and each daughter. We ask that moms are in attendance with their daughters. Our class runs approximately 2-2.5 hours from set up to wrap up and will include tween appropriate content along with fun props, affirmation cards, and a practical take home gift for the girls! (their first period kit)

How can I book a class with Girlhood Charlotte?

Scroll to the bottom of our website and click the button to schedule a class or email girlhoodcharlotte@gmail.com and tell us you want to book/host a class! Once we confirm the date, you can begin inviting your guests (we are happy to help find other moms and daughters if you need us too). Start planning what you want your Girlhood experience to be with your guests! We are here to help, give suggestions, or share examples of previous hosts' experiences….just ask!

What/Who is the host?

The host is the liaison for your group of moms and daughters. You can invite up to a maximum of 10 moms and their daughters. Again, we can also help you find moms and daughters for your group too! You can make it as small or as large as you deem appropriate for your setting and needs. The host is responsible for setting up her space, can opt (or not) to create a theme for the gathering (i.e. wine and cheese, Sunday brunch, girls afternoon tea to name a few ideas) and provide refreshments if desired. We are happy to email you a list of theme ideas for your class. The host will be the exclusive point of contact regarding information, questions and payment.

What is the total cost to host a class?

$1000 total for each session, regardless of number of mom/daughter combinations (maximum of 20 people). It is up to the host on how to divide cost and receive payment from her guests, (if you have 10 mom/daughter couplets, each would pay $100 total). There is a $200 deposit to hold date for your class, and then the remaining balance is due 30 days prior to your class. *If you exceed the maximum number of guests, it is $150 for each additional mom/daughter pair. If an additional sibling joins an already registered mom/daughter pair and the group is already at its maximum number of guests, it will be $75 additional for the sibling. *Referral Discount: If a friend refers you, and you book a class, you will get $50 off your group total! Payment options: Venmo or PayPal

What is required to prep for the class?

Once your guest list is set, date and payment have all been confirmed, we will send an outline to the host and her guests, so they will know what to expect from the class. The outline will highlight goals for the class and key points of what we will/will not be discussing. We strongly encourage all moms to begin an open conversation with their daughters/share some of the things on the outline prior to the class so they can begin to feel comfortable and ready when they show up for the Girlhood class!

How long will the class last?

About 2-2.5 hours. Mary and Diep will arrive about 15-20 min prior to the start of class to set up, and answer any last minute questions the host may have and stay for about 15 min following the end of class to help clean up. We take breaks throughout the class.

What topics are discussed in the Girlhood class?

Anatomy of the female reproductive system, nutrition, sleep, hormones, hygiene, body image, periods, proper disposal of feminine products, we manipulate pads and tampons and discuss proper placement, and more!

What is in the period kits the girls get at the end of class?

Several different types of pads, a tampon, mints, hand sanitizer, sanitary wipe, sanitary bag, a fun bracelet to wear now that they are part of the Girlhood, and a discreet bag that holds everything that they can keep in their backpacks.

Is there a refund/cancellation Policy?

No, BUT, you can change the date/time of class ONCE for a $100 rescheduling fee. A second cancellation will forfeit all money.

Are there age restrictions on who can attend the class ?

Girls as young as 8, and girls as old as 13 may attend the class, but we have found the sweet spot is between 9-12 years old.

What is your privacy policy ?

We will have waivers for everyone to sign and if you opt out to be on any social media/website posts, we respect your privacy. We also discuss with the group prior to the start of class the importance of confidentiality based on what may be shared during class.

What if we get home from the Girlhood class and my daughter starts asking more questions about the class experience?

Try to continue the conversation from class, share your experiences of puberty with your daughter, let her know you are there to support her, and there are NO embarrassing questions. You and your daughter are now part of the GIRLHOOD forever, so if you need any guidance from us, never hesitate to message us on social media or email us any questions that come up as you and your daughter go through this journey together! We will also send you home with some resources and links to help continue the learning process.

What if I live outside the Charlotte area and still want to host a class?

We want to spread GH Charlotte beyond the city limits! For time and gas, we ask for a small travel fee in addition to class payment. $100 for 15-20 miles, $150 for 20-30 miles outside of Charlotte. if you are more than 30 miles away, please contact us at www.girlhoodcharlotte.com

What if I live in another city or state and still want to have a GH Charlotte party?

Please email us to discuss franchise opportunities at www.girlhoodcharlotte.com

You could be Girlhood Raleigh or Girlhood Asheville! We want to spread the puberty empowerment to girls across the country to embrace their journey of growth!

Mother/Daughter quotes about Girlhood Charlotte

Christie, Mom of a Girlhood Charlotte participant 💜

“As a mom of 2 daughters, I have been looking for a class like this for over a year. Girlhood Charlotte was everything I was looking for and more. They provide instruction for the girls on what to expect with the upcoming changes their bodies will face while also ensuring they feel comfortable to talk about it in this intimate environment. Moms are engaged to tell their stories so that our daughters not only know that we have experienced all of this, but feel comfortable coming to us throughout the process. There was laughter, a ton of knowledge, and interaction. While I wish this class would have been around many years ago for me, I am eternally grateful it is available now for my girls. Mary and Diep, you are doing amazing things for this generation of young women!”

5th Grade Girl 💜

“With Girlhood Charlotte, I learned a lot of the changes that my body will go through as I go through puberty and grow into a young woman. GHC also made it so we all knew that these changes are normal and each of our experiences will not be at the same time through puberty because we are all different. This experience is one I will never forget.”

Girlhood Is Honored To Be Featured In:

Charlotte Magazine

Check out the Charlotte Magazine March 2025 article featuring Girlhood Charlotte and Growing Our Girls. We are so honored and thankful to the amazing Nikki Campo for writing such a thorough account of what our goal is for young girls and their Moms! Photo credit: Rusty Williams

@charlottemag Article

Charlotte Parent

Thank you Charlotte Parent! If you are a parent of girls, you can read about 2 local organizations that share a vision-to create new ways for moms and daughters to connect.

@charlotteparent Article

ShoutOut North Carolina

Our mission is to help change the way people spend money. We want people to spend more of their money with mom-and-pops, small businesses, independent artists and creatives. We think one of the most powerful ways to do that is by putting small business owners and creatives at the center of discussions designed to spark conversation within the community.

Shoutoutnorthcarolina.com