I firmly believe that female energy has the power to change the world so I was thrilled when my good friend, Elin Stebbins Waldal, told me that today is officially Day of the Girl. Yes, I agree that should be the case every single day but until that happens, let’s take today and celebrate girls!
Day of the Girl has an amazing website that offers a dozen reasons why this day is so important, including shocking facts like:
* One in seven girls in developing countries is married off before the age of 15.
* More than half of all rapes of females happen before age 18.
* One in five high school girls has been physically or sexually abused by a dating partner.
You don’t have to start your own official campaign to make a difference. Little actions can have a huge impact.
We love these 22 Things You Can Do Anytime to Help Create the Day of the Girl, and one of our favorites is the idea of turning the ladies room into the girls’ powerhouse. Sometimes all it takes is a post-it note saying, “You’re beautiful” on the mirror – like Caitlin Boyle does through Operation Beautiful – to give a girl self-confidence.
If you want to see what can happen when you give a girl self-confidence, watch this amazing TED Talk by Eve Ensler, below, who describes how “Girl Power Can Change the World.”
Let’s celebrate girl power today — and every day!
Read about and watch the amazing video for The Girl Effect here.
Congratulations, Style Substance and Soul on your anniversary. You go, girls!
Wow…. what a treat and treasure – thanks for sharing all of this!
Eve Ensler’s Ted talk is incredible. And.. congrats on your anniversary too!
Excellent! And congratulations, for all you do, from all of us! As a once-Girl Scout leader, and mom of a Very Powerful Woman, there is much to teach. I taught my Girl Scouts, from 6 through 12, “Your best weapon is your mouth. If you feel someone is doing something bad to you, or you are scared, SCREAM! And get away. … Now we are all going to try screaming. Ready, and, 1, 2, 3, … scream like you are scared!” (They did!) And I said, “Oh. Well, not quite right, ladies. Scream ‘Fire!!!'” That worked!
I’m now sending this on to my “almost daughter,” she who reared her siblings and just finished college (and THAT’S another story!).
Congratulations on 3 wonderful years of SSS! I’ve enjoyed reading your posts and of course watching you on Oprah!
I was a Girl Scout from 2nd through 10th grade (in the 60’s & 70’s). Our troop was very involved with community service projects and as a result of the impact those experiences had on me, I continue to give back to this day. I also acquired skills I may not have learned elsewhere, like how to build a canoe, cook, camp, first aid and so much more. I love how they now teach the girls self defense and other important life skills. If you have a young daughter, be sure she joins the Girls Scouts!
Best wishes for continued success SSS!