I’ve got empowerment for women and girls on my mind.
Here’s why.
I’ve had so many moments when I think, “I wish I had known about empowerment when I was growing up!”
I didn’t grow up in a home or culture that encouraged me to be an empowered girl or an empowered woman.
In fact, I grew up in the opposite. I was taught that because I was a girl, I wasn’t as valuable, smart or necessary as boys and men were. I was taught that my only real value was in serving and doing for others. Classic patriarchy.
I didn’t know how to speak up if I was being bullied or treated unfairly.
I didn’t know how to have a healthy relationship with my body.
I didn’t know beauty came in all shapes, sizes and colors.
I didn’t know how to express myself authentically and be proud of my uniqueness.
Today I say, “No More.”
I want my granddaughters and all girls to know:
They have intrinsic value.
They are beautiful exactly as they are.
They have a body that they need to value and take care of, in loving ways.
They have an absolute right to speak up, to have their own opinion, to have their yes and no, respected.
To know that they are a unique expression of the Divine and the world needs their unique way of communicating and being who they are.
That they don’t need to be perfect. That perfection is a lie. That guilt and judgment don’t ever serve them.
That the greatest question they can ask themselves is, “what would a girl in love with herself do?”
Recently I became a certified facilitator in a program called, BOLD, that Susan Hyatt created to teach all these things, and more, to girls 8 – 18 years old.
I wonder, do you know a girl who you wish knew now, what you’ve had to learn the hard way?
I’ll be taking enrollments in my first BOLD class soon. More details are coming, but today, right now, tell me in the comments below:
I know a girl(s) who would be perfect for BOLD! I definitely want to know more!
I work with a Girl Scout Troop, School, Community or other group of young girls and I’d love to find out more about bringing a BOLD class to them!
I’m a grown woman and I wish I knew all the things you’re teaching in the BOLD class! Is there a BOLD class for women?