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More than my birthday, Fridays or even my anniversary (sorry, honey!), my favorite day of the year is the day of the annual Girl Summit in San Jose organized by Girls For A Change! Yesterday, 1,500 girls gathered to learn how to follow their dreams, the power of sisterhood, and how to change their words (inside and out, as I like to say!).

If you want to feel true bliss, try spending the day in that swarm of beauty, potential, energy, intelligence, creativity and courage. If only every girl there knew how much I worshipped the ground she walks on (shouldn't we all?). I'm at least glad they all got a Respect Rx magnet to cuddle up with:). I did have the honor of personally listening to and talking about respect with about 120 amazing girls during my workshops. They also got empowered by these fabulous role models and social change agents (to name a few):

Cupcake Brown
As keynote speaker the girls were captivated by her journey from an abused teen prostitute and drug addict to a college graduate, lawyer and New York Times best-selling author. I loved how she kept reinforcing how to tell who your real friends are: they are the ones who will encourage you to do your best and follow your dreams.

Soul Force
This hip hop dance company's performance turns gender stereotypes on their head (and many girls said they were inspired by the group to become artists and dancers too).

Harpist from the Hood
Girls got to see how a powerful woman's inner beauty can really shine during this spoken word and harp performance by Destiny. She encouraged them to break down barriers, write down their dreams, and remind themselves "it's about me!" so they can keep trying to do their thing in life.

Rena Stone
This teen poet and social change agent WOW'd the crowd when she spoke from the heart about her life and observations of what it means to be a young woman. She also is on the GFC Action Team at Lionel Wilson Prep and a member of Youth Speaks.

The summit always energizes me to keep going, keep investing in girls (and myself), and keep spreading RESPECT because they (we all) are WORTH it. It's also always a reminder that we still have A LOT of work to do. Case in point? Here are direct quotes from the disrespect dilemmas girls shared during my workshops:

"I lost my virginity at age 13 and feel bad about it." "Why do people call you names about the way you look?" "My parents always fight." "My dad doesn't like to spend time with my sisters and me." "My family judges the way I look." "My dad beat up my mom." "My friend wants to run away from home because her family abuses her." "My dad is in jail and I feel responsible." "I feel like I have to have a boyfriend but I can't get one." "People make fun of my religion." "I'm always stressed because I have too much to do and no time to do it." "My friend cuts herself." "I hate my body."

The girls worked on these dilemmas together using The 7 Respect Basics. It was amazing to see them support each other and share their resourcefulness and wisdom. Though their dilemmas are a reminder that the fight for respect is still on, even in one short hour they proved you can make progress and spread social change! Girls For A Change is doing this everyday and you can join the movement, too:

Volunteer as a Coach
Join a Girl Action Team
Donate

And even if you couldn't be at the summit, take this GFC message to heart:

You are a powerful and brilliant girl!
You are a voice that needs to be heard!!
You are a young woman who can change the world!!!

PS: Girls, if you went to the summit and want to get a copy of RESPECT, fill out the MySay form. Tell me what you loved most about the summit and how it inspired you!

Comments (1) | by Courtney on October 13

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