If you were to meet my mom, it might come as a surprise that behind the pink suits, pearl earrings, and perfectly painted nails is a woman who isn’t afraid to get her hands dirty. Underneath the sparkle loving, fur coat wearing fashionista is not a woman with an affluent upbringing, but rather a frugal one in Montville, CT, with her chickens, and pigs, and the influence of her “nothing is impossible” parents.
“I am smart. I am strong. I am special.”
This is the affirmation that begins every LiveGirl Confidence Club meeting. In a room full of middle school girls, saying this affirmation loudly while doing hand-motions can, at first, feel awkward! But affirmations are impossible to avoid at LiveGirl Confidence Clubs. Icebreakers often include questions like, “What is one thing you like about yourself?” “What is something that you are proud of accomplishing?” “What is something you are great at?” Confidence Club is, in many ways, a practice in learning how to say good things about yourself.
By Ranease Brown, 17, Bridgeport CT, LiveGirl Intern, LiveGirl since 2015
At seventeen years old, I am unlearning and learning how to love and accept myself. LiveGirl has been a huge part of my growth. I have been with this organization since 2015, when I was only twelve, and I have learned so much about confidence. I have learned how to manifest and use affirmations in my daily life to build myself up. I have found such a bright light of a community to lift up young girls that are, and were, just like me. I am able to plant seeds of confidence, positivity, power, and acceptance within these girls.
By Victoria Iparraguirre, Manhattan School of Music ‘22 and LiveGirl Communications Intern
While 2020 has been a rocky year for all of us in many regards, I can fully say it has been one of the best years of my life in terms of personal growth. With all of this time on our hands, my ideas and creativity have gone into full bloom. With the recent events of the Black Lives Matter movement, I was so incredibly moved by the support my city has shown and as a result, I was inspired to hold my own event.
