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Respect Rx founder Courtney Macavinta is an award-winning journalist, author, speaker and trained coach who has reached more than a million girls and women through her work. She has been featured on CNN, ABC, NBC, Fox and National Public Radio, and in USA Today, The Chicago Tribune, CosmoGIRL!, Teen People, Teen Vogue, Glamour, Mothering and numerous others media outlets.

Press Kit | Reviews, Praise & Testimonials

To schedule an interview with Courtney or to receive a review copy of RESPECT: A Girl's Guide to Getting Respect & Dealing When Your Line Is Crossed, please contact:

Jen Jones
Director of Programs and Publicity
jen[at]respectrx.com
323-397-3867

You can also reach Courtney directly at:
courtney[at]respectrx.com

Have you ever had a "girl crush." A girl you want to be like or look up to big-time? Check out Court's take on girl crushes—when they inspire vs. when they drag you down—in this month's issue of Teen Vogue. The article is on page 150 and is by Melissa Walker. "If you find yourself copying another girl, being jealous of her, or letting her push you around, the relationship isn't healthy..."

Comments (0) | by Courtney on June 30

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I often appear on San Francisco's "View from the Bay" show as a teen and girl culture expert. Here are recent segments:

"Dealing with sexual harassment and your teens" Does your teenage daughter know when she's being sexually harassed? It's far more prevalent than you might think. Courtney Macavinta, co-author of "Respect: A Girl's Guide to Getting Respect & Dealing," has some tips on talking to your children. Watch the clip.
(06/10/08)

"Much Ado About Miley:" Miley Cyrus’ sexy Vanity Fair photo shoot and her subsequent offer from Playboy are on the tips of collective tongues everywhere. Add in the sexy new Gossip Girl ad currently making waves—and focus on disturbing girl fight videos being posted on the web—and it’s no wonder that many parents are obviously concerned about how their daughters are being influenced by these media blasts and celebrity role models. Watch the clip here.
(05/14/08)

"Self-Respect for Teens:" A teenage girl's life today is often ruled by unrealistic images and ideals. This may be limiting their personal potential by creating a negative body image and putting them under unnecessary pressure. Here's what we can do as parents to encourage our girls to hold their heads up high with self-respect.
(11/06/07)

Comments (0) | by Courtney on June 11

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I got to interview Olympian Dominique Dawes on behalf of Blogher! We spoke about body image, self-esteem and my favorite topic: following your passions. Listen to the podcast here.

Comments (0) | by Courtney on June 5

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For the June issue of Glamour SA, I weighed in on how gossip affects women--both on the starting and receiving end of those rumors.
(June 2008)

Comments (0) | by Courtney on May 28

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Real Girl vs. Real World
Raising self-confident daughters despite society's mixed messages
(May/June 2008)

Comments (0) | by Courtney on May 22

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While in Connecticut for Dove Self-Esteem Week, I had the privilege of appearing on the local CBS affiliate's morning news show, "Better Connecticut," to talk about our work with local schools and families.
(05/02/08)

Comments (0) | by Courtney on May 2

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I'm featured as a CosmoGIRL! *inner* beauty expert in the March issue. Tips include Follow Your Passions and Trust Your Gut!

Comments (0) | by Courtney on February 19

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Check out the article Gossip Girls (page 234) in the March issue of Teen Vogue. I dish some advice about why we gossip and how to give it up!

Comments (0) | by Courtney on February 19

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Respect in the Workplace
Your boss constantly talks down to you, your co-workers are dismissive of your ideas, and sometimes you feel like your intern thinks that you work for her, instead of the other way around--sound familiar? If you're wondering where all the R-E-S-P-E-C-T has gone at work, check out this article (featuring moi!) at NicoleWilliams.com.

Comments (0) | by Courtney on December 22

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As a former cheerleading captain myself, it was a lot of fun to contribute to this story called "Take the Lead," on how squad captains can call the shots with class.
(August 2007)

Comments (0) | by Courtney on August 1

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Live Today with Daryn Kagan
Topics: Fighting for your rights, bullying and spreading respect for girls at school.
(International, 4 million viewers, 8/23/05)

Comments (0) | by Courtney on February 6

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Parents Are Tech-Savvier
How parents and teens can keep the communication (and respect) flowing with the help of technology.
(05/17/06)

Comments (0) | by Courtney on January 6

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Posts on girl culture:
Girls For A Change
What I Want For Girls, I Learned From My Mom

Comments (0) | by Courtney on January 6

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Unilever rep in state to boost teenage girls' self-esteem
Recently, Unilever sent Courtney Macavinta, a blogger for RespectRx and author who specializes in girls'
self-esteem, to the Connecticut Association of Schools to show teachers, guidance counselors, school
nurses and social workers how to model healthy self-esteem for their students.
05/02/07

Comments (0) | by Courtney on January 6

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Advice articles featured on Girl Scouts of America's STUDIO 2B web site for teens:
Quiz: Does Respect Rule Your Relationship?
Friendship Rx
Respect Basics

Comments (0) | by Courtney on January 6

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The Ron Upshaw and Don O'Neill on Newsradio
Topic: Girls getting plastic surgery as graduation gifts.
(Seattle, 05/07/07)

Comments (0) | by Courtney on January 6

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The Nat & Drew Show
Topic: Teens getting plastic surgery as graduation gifts.
(Richmond, BC, 05/17/07)

Comments (0) | by Courtney on January 6

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Lessons in Self-Respect
Read this and change your daughter's life.
(2/07/06)

Comments (0) | by Courtney on January 5

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Does She Feel Successful?
What happens when our expectations pressure girls to be "perfect?"
(May/June 2007)

Ask the Expert
My daughter is being disrespected by her friends...
(March/April 2007)

Helping Her Change Disrespectful Language
What to do if your daughter calls herself or other girls names like "bitch," "ho" or "slut."
(May/June 2006)

Comments (0) | by Courtney on January 5

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Is cosmetic surgery an appropriate commencement gift for teens?
“By giving teen girls, in particular, surgery we’re just sending this message to them that they can be anything they want to be — they can go to any school or do anything in life — as long as they look a certain way on the outside..."
(05/07/07)

Do TV Shows, Web Sites Fuel Eating Disorders?
"I think things will change when women and girls understand that respecting their bodies is part of respecting themselves. We need to start teaching girls, especially, to view their bodies as cherished tools, treasures. If you're not taking care of your body, you're not going to reach your potential..."
(09/06/05)

Comments (0) | by Courtney on January 1

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Sunday Daybreak
Topics: The 7 Respect Basics, sisterhood, and fighting for equal rights.
(San Francisco Bay Area, 08/21/05)

Comments (0) | by Courtney on January 1

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Mornings on 2
Topics: Teen girls' body image and The 7 Respect Basics.
(San Francisco Bay Area, 08/22/05)

Comments (0) | by Courtney on January 1

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Bay Area People
Topic: Why girls need respect.
(San Francisco Bay Area, 08/27/05)

Comments (0) | by Courtney on January 1

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Bay Area Today
Topics: Dealing with cyberbullying.
(Northern California, 08/15/05)

Comments (0) | by Courtney on January 1

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RESPECT named 2006 Independent Publisher Book Award Winner: Juvenile-Teen-Y/A Non-Fiction.

Comments (0) | by Courtney on January 1

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Respect named a "2005 Greatest Product" by iParenting Media.

Comments (0) | by Courtney on January 1

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Newsmaker: Courtney Macavinta
* 30 minutes, MP3 format
Reporters from around the state ask questions about social equality, teen trends, how teens can make healthy choices, and how parents can help teens build self-respect.
(05/01/06)

Kathleen Dunn Show
* 1 hour, Real Audio format
A new goverment study found that more than half of teens are having oral sex. What's behind the trend and how teens can make smart, self-respecting choices.
(27 stations throughout state, 09/21/05)

Comments (0) | by Courtney on January 1

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How To Say No!
Turn people down without letting them down.
(11/05)

Comments (0) | by Courtney on December 31

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What's Your Secret Super Power?
Forget the cape and mask--you have an incredible quality that makes you mighty unique.
(11/05)

Comments (0) | by Courtney on December 31

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Steamy TV Brings Worry About Teens
page 1 | page 2
The amount of sex on television has almost doubled in recent years, stoking already intense concerns about the media's influence on teenagers' sexual behavior and relationships.
Also ran in the Kansas City Star, Kentucy Herald Leader and The Telegraph (Georgia).
(11/10/05)

Comments (0) | by Courtney on December 31

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Do-It-Yourself Media For Teens
Have you ever thought about creating your own media as an alternative to what’s out there? Imagine what you’d like to read, view, and listen to – then venture into do-it-yourself media. Here’s how...
(11/04/05)

Comments (0) | by Courtney on December 31

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What I'm Reading
Editor recommends RESPECT in back-to-school issue.
(09/05)

Comments (0) | by Courtney on December 31

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Prom Night Pressure
Do's and don'ts for prom night, and how to navigate the "milestones and land mines" associated with the biggest event of the year for many teens.
(04/30/06)

Comments (0) | by Courtney on December 31

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Book Review: What Girls Really Need
Although girls have gained more equality since the days of their great-grandmothers, there's one thing they continue to fight for: respect. In "Respect: A Girl's Guide to Getting Respect & Dealing When Your Line Is Crossed," Courtney Macavinta and Andrea Vander Pluym educate teenage girls on achieving the esteem they deserve.
(08/28/05)

Comments (0) | by Courtney on December 31

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Making Healthy Resolutions
Turn on the TV, surf the Web, flip through a magazine and you'll find them lurking: Ads for all kinds of gym memberships, weight-loss plans, and diet supplements.
(01/06/06)

Comments (0) | by Courtney on December 31

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Respect recommended in leading magazine that thousands of teachers and librarians across the U.S. and Canada rely on to help them select the latest and best materials.
(07/05)

continues...

Comments (0) | by Courtney on December 31

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When Magazine Whore is Crowned Queen
Taking inventory of the media myths being pitched to girls.
(1/06)

Comments (0) | by Courtney on December 31

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Changing Interests Can Put an End to 'F/F'
Breaking up with a friend is both healthy and necessary in many cases, Macavinta says. If a friend regularly pressures you to do things you don't want to do, disrespects you in any way or is simply incompatible, either fade out or make a clean break. "You are who you run with; you marinate in the people you hang around with.."
(10/18/05)

Comments (0) | by Courtney on December 30

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Help Me, Harlan
Girls with little self-respect tend to lie and get disrespected.
(10/03/05)

Comments (0) | by Courtney on December 30

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Mean Girls
To elevate themselves and hurt others, girls hit each other where they know it hurts: their relationships.
(09/06/05)

Comments (0) | by Courtney on December 30

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When Private Becomes Public
How kids can avoid dangers on the Internet and deal with cyberbullying.
(09/03/05)

Comments (0) | by Courtney on December 30

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Cyberbullying
Technologically savvy, today's toughs wield computers and cell phones while waging relentless psychological attacks against their victims.
(08/30/05)

Comments (0) | by Courtney on December 30

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Selling Self-Help to Teens
As girls re-enter the school jungle, there's a new genre to the rescue.
(08/27/05)

Comments (0) | by Courtney on December 30

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Bullies: A schoolyard scourge and how to counter it
Find out your school's policy on bullying and harassment and know exactly what constitutes bullying. "A lot of people think of bullying as beating people up ... but a lot of bullying now is verbal," said Courtney Macavinta, co-author of "Respect: A Girl's Guide to Getting Respect and Dealing When Your Line Is Crossed."
(08/27/05)

Comments (0) | by Courtney on December 30

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Feds May Fund Programs for Teen Dating Violence
Courtney Macavinta, co-author of "Respect: A Girl's Guide to Getting Respect and Dealing When Your Line Is Crossed," to be published by Free Spirit Publishing in August, says a major part of the solution is girls who know their rights, the definitions of emotional, physical, and sexual abuse and how to ask for help.
Also ran on AlterNet.
(07/08/05)

Comments (0) | by Courtney on December 30

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R-E-S-P-E-C-T, Find Out What it Means to Girls
There's a new teen girl guide book out written by two very cool chicks -- journalist and ChickClick vet Courtney Macavinta and teen advice book author Andrea Vander Pluym. The name of their book is "Respect" and the idea is "to help girls get respect and hold on to it." It's big sisterly advice combined with cool illustrations and is being marketed to both teen girls and parents/adults.
(07/13/05)

Comments (0) | by Courtney on December 30

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Public Affairs Hour
Mean girls and how to deal with bullying by building your self-respect.
(Utah, 08/26/05)

Comments (0) | by Courtney on December 30

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Hosted by Ilene Dillon
How teen girls can make self-respecting choices about sex, relationships and health.
(World Talk Radio, 09/13/05)

Comments (0) | by Courtney on December 30

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USF Forum
Author Q&A about the book.
(San Francisco Bay Area, 10/23/05)

Comments (0) | by Courtney on December 30

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Wakin' Up With Rebecca and Kurt
Author Q&A about the book. Dealing with sexual harassment and bullying.
(Utah, 08/11/05 and 8/31/05)

Comments (0) | by Courtney on December 30

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Cyber-bullying and setting boundaries.
(Minneapolis-St. Paul, 08/17/05)

Comments (0) | by Courtney on December 30

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A Balanced Breakfast with Ian and Margery Punnett
Sexual harassment at school and setting boundaries.
(Minneapolis-St. Paul, 08/23/05)

Comments (0) | by Courtney on December 30

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Daybreak USA
Girls and the media, body image and self-respect.
(National, 1 million listeners, 08/26/05)

Comments (0) | by Courtney on December 30

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Jefferson Exchange
Myths, stereotypes and media images that affect girls.
(Oregon and Northern California NPR stations, 08/17/05)

Comments (0) | by Courtney on December 30

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What reviewers from The Washington Post, Chicago Tribune and best-selling books have to say:

continues...

Comments (0) | by Courtney on August 9

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