• go to The Respect Institute

Here's what girls have to say about RESPECT, Respect Rx and our Rallies and workshops:

The most important thing I learned at the Respect Rally is…
Today the most important thing I learned is…
• How to set boundaries and live up to them. age 17
• Without respect, people loose interest in life. age 15
• That to respect ourselves we have to pursue our passions. age 15
• We truly are connected in more ways than we realize. age 17
• How to listen and voice my opinion respectfully. age 14
• Ways to respect myself, others, and to spread it . age 15
• If you don’t respect yourself you won’t be true to yourself . age 14
• I share the same concerns/struggles with many other girls and I learned all about respect. age 14
• I have a right to set boundaries for myself, and be respected. age 14
• To look to my future to keep me inspired. age 15
• Speaking up and asking for help is really important. age 14
• Embrace your worth. age 14
• That in order to experience love in this world, we have to respect ourselves and others. age 15
• Trusting your gut is good! age 15
• The value of friendship and respect and it’s importance (the way/how you treat others and yourself with respect)
• Respect is an endless journey that can be influenced positively to all. age 17
• I need to love myself. age 17
• Speaking up can gain you a lot of respect. age 16
• To respect my body. age 15
• Many people have the same experiences so you shouldn’t be afraid to share yours. age 15
• All girls are not alone. age 17
• How to be aware of my actions and whether they are respectful or not. age 17
• Respect starts within. age 17
• Respecting yourself by looking at all of your positive attributes can help you have a better outlook on life.
• That respect takes a lot of things (effort, love, trust, etc..) and that you respect many people. age 14

More comments from past events:
"To respect myself more, I will: Trust in myself and not let others bring me down."

"To respect myself more, I will: Set goals for myself and complete them."

“You coming to my school today made me learn a lot about how important it really is to respect yourself and others, and also how important it is to be real and yourself. I'm going to start trying to reach my dreams and passions and encourage my friends and peers to do the same just like you encouraged us today.”

“Mind-opening…”

“At the assembly, people in my grade that I thought would never speak up actually talked, and I really enjoyed hearing what they had to say. It made me see them in a different way. I really liked what you did, and I think people might actually change from it.”

“Empowering…”

“I learned a lot when you came to my school today. I was extremely surprised about how much models get Photoshop-ed, and it made me realize that I don’t have to be like those models to feel good about myself. I also loved how you shared your story from when you were a little kid. I think it touched everyone’s hearts.”

“Life-changing…”

“You showed me that I can be what I want to be, and that you can be yourself, any time, any place. I learned that none of us are perfect, and that we need to be okay with ourselves. Thanks so much!”

“I felt like I was in such a secure environment that I could talk about [anything]. I am happy to say I took away a feeling of self-confidence and inner joy from your presentation.”

“Courtney is an inspiration.”

“The thing I loved the most was when you told us to think into the future, and our future selves gave us one word to remember. I thought of the word ‘love.’ It made me realize that whenever I think times are rough that someone loves me for being ME!!! Your assembly today also made me remember that I need to stop being who everyone else wants me to be, and just be who I want to be. Thank you for setting me straight and realizing the important things, and not just the foolish things that seem to fill teenagers’ minds. You inspired me today!”

“Today I learned that respect comes when you respect yourself.”

I saw your presentation and it really helped me out a lot. I got your book as a gift from my mother about a year ago, and since I read it, I've had such a better way of dealing with problems with friends. I learned that although it might be hard to stand up to someone, in the end, its worth it. Now I won't be sad everyday because of mean things that she said about me, and it was all because of your book! So I wanted to say thanks for coming to my school. It really helped to be reminded that I need to speak up.
~Amber

I was really inspired by your talk. I came home today and looked in the mirror and was surprised to find that I was actually proud of who I saw. I think it’s because of what you said about respecting yourself and being happy with who you are. Thank you so much for helping me achieve a better self-esteem in just one talk.
~Jordan

the 7 respect basics are great and every girl should live by them.
~Victoria

courtney i really loved your meeting that day and i wish we had more opportunities like that in school and even during school have you come and talk to our whole school. You should give it a thought lol i'm sure you wouldn't but my school could use it especially with the name calling and well pretty much that and fighting you know around that category. Thanks for taking your time to give me these pointers.
~Amanda

I was one of the girls at your Respect event. I just wanted to tell you that I think you are an amazing woman that made me look at a lot of things differently(for the better!) I did not leave this e-mail address on the sheet simply because I don't have one, this address is my mom's but you can reply to this one. If possible I would like to know how I could get a free copy of your book as you had told us in Lacrosse. I'll be honest with you and say that I at first went to your event with my school's guidance counselors to get a free day off of school, I didn't really know much about it at that time, and when I walked into the building and saw that you were Courtney Macavinta, I was impressed(if thats the word I'm meaning) As soon as I saw my surroundings, I knew that this was going to be something I wanted to know and listen to. With my experiences with things such as Respect events like yours, there was always the beautiful model like person pretty much saying, "you have to respect yourself, your body and mind." and it just didn't seem so "realistic" coming from someone like that. I saw that you were the author of this book and thought, "wow, that woman is beautiful, inside and out. I can tell she respects herself including her environment and surroundings and now she's helping other girls to do the same, and that makes her beautiful." The fact that you were so laid back and honest made me comfortable in listening to things being said by you and my peers and it made me comfortable in realizing, life isn't perfect nor is anyone. Everyone has their flaws and that makes us what we are and gives us our own personalities. I just want to simply say thank-you for what you're doing for the female gender today and I hope your wise words, feelings, and outlooks get out to each and every person in the world.
~Jeannie

I was one of the girls that was at that respect workshop. I've been doing good since then I've been trying to help other girls with their problems and i have been getting help with my problems too. I'm doing a lot better. I was wondering if maybe you could send me a book please because i would like to read it and let other people read it too so they know.
~Daisy

You spoke to a group of girls on Friday last week. I felt really good after I talked to you because you had so many good points.
~Chelsea

i attended the girls for a change summit and i was in your 7 respect basics workshop. i found it to be very helpful and i look forward to reading your book on respect. i keep the respect by allowing everyone to say what they want to say, allowing everyone to express their feelings and thoughts, and by setting my barriers up[ to the disrespectful people and their actions. i am maturing , becoming more focused on my goals as well as more aware of society's expectations of me as an individual. i have pretty much defined what it takes to have a healthy mind and body. i respect myself by eating properly, expanding my horizons, cherishing my friendships, being sensitive to the needs and feelings of others, and having fun in life. i was and still kind of am one of those girls who were so wrapped up in what the looked like in comparison to their friends and being obsessed with her body image so much that her friends have stopped trying to convince her that she's not actually fat at all...and after reading this section on this webpage i finally understand what my friends and family have been trying to tell me all along...so i took your advice and decided to clear my mind of all the negative thoughts i had about my body's appearance. I stopped using the " language of fat" and i started complimenting my friends on their achievements and encouraged them when they were down. i really feel that reading this article helped me with my feelings and opinions of my own body and others around me. I really believe that what was said in this article is true.. you can't be a role model if you don't love yourself... i just want to say thank you for helping me feel better about myself!
~Charity

your book really helped me. i've changed a lot this year. i'm hanging around more positive people and dressing how i want to and doing my homework. i'm getting straight As. i know that i have a lot going for me now. i even spoke at a fundraiser for a girls for a change and it felt good.
~Monica

Your book is an inspiration!
~Nicole

Thank you so much for your talk. It really motivated me in lots of ways.
~Shio

Your book is helpful to everyone in some sort of way. Thank you for putting all your time and energy into helping everyone.
~Roxy

I learned a lot about respect!
~Leslie

Thank you so much for talking with us. I will read the book!
~Nicole

Thank you for teaching us all about sisterhood.
~Nakita

Thanks for teaching us about friendship and respect.
~Brooke

I had so much fun at your workshop. It really changed my mind about some things.
~Stephanie

Thank you for the book and for talking with us. I read a lot and LOVE it!
~Mandi

Comments (0) | by Courtney on May 26

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Here's what past clients have to say about our programs for girls, women and advocates:

"After the Respect Rally, our students saw themselves as agents of change and developed ways to begin spreading respect locally and globally. If Respect Rallies happened at all schools across the nation, our world as a whole would definitely be impacted positively."
—Stephanie Payes, Counselor, KIPP (Knowledge is Power Program) San Jose Collegiate School

"Courtney is a phenomenal program facilitator and a true gift to the girls she works with. She is, as she teaches the girls to be, a 'creative, resourceful and whole' woman who truly leads by example. I found her style to be intuitive and organic which created activities and conversations that were inspiring and incredibly impactful for the girls and adults alike. Her energy set such a positive tone, and she created a safe space where everyone treated each other with respect, was open to learning and growing and was encouraged to explore and celebrate their unique strengths and talents. It has been wonderful to work with her on the uniquely ME! program!"
—Leanne Gluck, Project Manger, uniquely ME!, The Girl Scouts of the USA

“I loved that the Respect Rally allowed our 600 students to bond in smaller groups and see that the issue of respect is universal. The language Respect Rx uses is so perfect—it's like the language of teenagers and allows them to express themselves and tap into their power to address issues of disrespect in their lives. The visualization during the Rally was absolutely amazing—to see total silence as they were doing reflection, the girls scribbling while writing their letters, their eagerness to share with the group. The student-run Respect Groups have also been something that girls really resonate with as far as taking control of their lives. The Kit is easy to integrate with girls leading the way.”
—Heidi Rolfson, Counseling Department Chairperson, Notre Dame High School, San Jose, CA

"Courtney embodies what she teaches. Her passion, creativity and confidence in women and girls is contagious. She led the training of our thirty volunteers in a seemingly effortless manner, which combined humor and fun with focus and direction. Her intuition and attention to detail in preparing and catering the training to fit our specific needs was exceptional. She offered us numerous practical tools, which proved invaluable in helping us to carry out our mission, and in building empowerment, tolerance, and respect amongst our volunteers and the girls we aim to serve. One thing that truly sets Courtney apart from other leaders and advocates is her ability to affect individuals and the group at the same time. Courtney not only inspires social change, but she makes it possible."
—Sarah Mehlfeld, Program Coordinator of the Bay Area Girls Rock Camp

"I am sincere when I say that the past week of Respect Rx assemblies for more than 1,500 girls throughout Connecticut was the most enriching week I have ever spent in my 42 years in education. As a result of the program, many of the girls will be empowered to make changes that will help them develop into strong women who are confident, capable and self-reliant. Again, thank you for doing your part in making this powerful program possible; it truly was REAL!"
—Robert Lehr, Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Conference and Connecticut Association of Schools

“In my 25 years in education, I've never been to an assembly where you can hear the overhead lights buzzing at times that's how engrossed the girls were in the program.” —Deborah Rutigliano, City Hill Middle School Vice Principal

"Courtney is able to connect with young women in a manner that at once opens them up to their most vulnerable selves, and also allows them to identify and stand in their power. Her ability to connect with young women across class, race, and age, coupled with her passion to truly partner with young women to create social change, has made her an invaluable resource."
—Patricia Torres, program director, Girls For A Change

"Courtney Macavinta presented an excellent workshop at our public library that discussed effective ways teens should respect themselves and how that reflects the respect you should get in your personal relationships. Her presentation was interactive and kept our teen audience excited and interested. She connected with the teens immediately and they were really comfortable talking to her during and after the presentation. If you are looking for an outstanding quality workshop that still let's you have fun and express yourself in a comfortable environment, I highly recommend having Courtney come to your library."
—Angie Miraflor, Teen Services Librarian San Jose Public Library

"Courtney Macavinta’s presentation for girls in the Coulee Region really made a huge impact. She bridged the gap that may have existed between these girls and allowed them to see that they had more in common than they thought—mostly the pressures of growing up and becoming independent and liking themselves."
—Erin Behlen, Options Clinic and Coulee Region Schools

More comments from Training participants…
“I respected the safe environment—many wonderful activities to use with my students.”

“It was interactive and transformative.”

“I liked the positive focus on action-based resources and materials. I rediscovered that opening up personally and connecting with kids is how you begin to impact them.”

“The presenters were incredible! I'm inspired to create a similar lesson plan for the students in my school.”

“I'm now inspired to enact changes in my school and to make a DIFFERENCE!”

“We were so excited by the program and the direct impact it can have with the young women at our school. We are already planning to meet tomorrow to summarize what we learned and begin to formulate a plan for our girls.”

The Getting REAL Tour
"Courtney Macavinta and Audrey D. Brashich are a dynamic team of presenters. Their workshop, Getting REAL, was perfect for a college audience. The workshop participants were enthralled by their visual medium and touched by their personal stories. We all walked away both wiser and stronger in resisting media pressure to internalize toxic prescriptions for ideal womanhood."
—Dr. Elena Klaw, Director of the Center for Community Learning & Leadership, San Jose State University

"The Getting REAL tour is an empowering experience for teen girls. Through honest discussion and fun activities girls learn to set boundaries, build supportive relationships, evaluate media hype and ‘get real’ about body image. This workshop is an invaluable learning opportunity for parents and teens."
—Michelle Barrese, Head of Youth Services, Menlo Park Library

"Audrey and Courtney effortlessly inspired more than 500 young women at our Annual Spirit of Leadership Conference to 'Be real!' Their ability to engage each and every young woman in the room was exactly what we had hoped for -- and they than delivered! More than any keynote speakers we have ever had, they became an intimate part of our family. We consider ourselves blessed to have Audrey and Courtney as future partners in empowering young women."
—Ken Druck, founder, Jenna Druck Foundation

Comments (0) | by Courtney on January 2

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