What happens when girls believe in themselves?
When from an early age girls are encouraged to take on leadership roles?
What happens when young women are inspired to reach higher and become more than they ever imagined they could be?
What happens?
They. Change. The. World!
After spending a couple of decades in education I understand how important it is to motivate and encourage all kids. I also understand that young girls, in particular, need activities that empower them. No matter how much we want to believe that the playing field is equal, it’s still not. Let’s get that myth out of the way right now. The playing field still isn’t equal. It’s getting better but we’re still not there. Yet . . .
The good news is that there are some amazing organizations out there focused on empowering girls — motivating, building self-confidence, mentoring, educating, and inspiring girls and young women to excel. Here’s just a sampling of some incredible groups doing wonderful things.
Gyrl Wonder founded by Tola Lawal to give young women opportunities and guidance she wished she had as a teenager. Based in New York this organization connects with girls all over the country through their Facebook Live events and social media. The programs are centered around self image, self care, empowerment and development. The girls meet on a regular basis to take classes, field trips, personal development workshops, and hear inspiring women speak.
Another organization to take a closer look at — Hardy Girls Healthy Women (HGHW), a nonprofit focused on the health and well being of girls and women. I LOVE their mission statement! Hardy Girls takes girls seriously and puts the power in their hands to challenge a society that ignores their brilliance. We dare adult allies to join us in standing with girls. What’s not to love about that?
Girls Inc. inspires girls to be “strong, smart, and bold.” This nonprofit has been around since the mid-1800’s. Imagine that. They focus on girls ages 6-18 and have more than 1,400 sites in 400 cities in the US and Canada. Girls Inc. aim is the development of the whole girl, supporting, mentoring, and guiding girls in an affirming, pro-girl environment. Girls learn to value their whole selves, discover and develop their inherent strengths, and receive the support they need to navigate the challenges they face.”
What kinds of activities do you think are important to empower girls and young women?
Do you know about other groups that encourage and support girls? Please join the conversation and tell us about them.
Together we can spread hope and beauty and transform our world.
10,000 Butterflies is dedicated to planting hope and growing change. Every one of us has the power to create positive change — in our own lives and in the lives of others. Together we can solve problems and build stronger communities. 10,000 Butterflies is a place to connect with others making good things happen, to find resources, to be inspired and to celebrate what connects us instead of what divides us.
Please join us.
Bonnie Pond is the founder of the 10,000 Butterflies Project and author of The Power of Three: How to be Happy and Get What You Want in Life (Without Doing Anything Illegal, Immoral, or Unethical) and Unlock Your Creativity: 30 Days to a More Creative YOU!
