By Brianna Milano, LiveGirl Social Media and Community Impact Leader
Taking a step back now, as we are far past a year of living in and through a pandemic, I have had so much time. That is the key word here; time. For days, weeks, then months, and then a year, I had the time to reflect on myself and the experiences I had to set aside as a college junior and senior due to living through a pandemic.
In the age of social media and mixed-messages about how girls are supposed to look, act and learn, girls can face significant self-esteem issues during adolescence—a crucial period for forming and developing one’s identity External link , according to the Child Mind Institute.
Even within the few years of adolescence, messaging and appropriate strategies can vary widely depending on girls’ ages.
By Raiaa Bhalla
Raiaa is a 14 year old high school student from India. She enjoys reading, art, theatre, debate and is a passionate student of karate. She loves researching and discussing current events and world issues. She is passionate about gender equality and hopes to create a more equal world.
The Gulabi Gang is revolutionizing the idea of an empowered woman in India, and even if some disagree on the methods being implemented, the impact these ladies have left is undeniable.
By Neya Krishnan, New Canaan HS Senior
Since her performance of ‘The Hill We Climb’, the public has fallen in love with Amanda Gorman, and it’s not hard to see why. I think that the public’s reaction to Gorman speaks to the unique ability of poetry to unify, shed light on challenging topics, express shared sentiments in a profound way, and bring us all closer together.
2020 has been a year of firsts. The election of Kamala Harris as Vice President is just that: a first. She is not only the first woman to hold power as a Vice President in the White House, but more specifically, the first daughter of immigrants, the first African American woman, as well as the first Indian-American woman to ever fulfill this leadership position. Many women and girls nationwide have seen Harris’s nomination as a symbol of hope and strength.
“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 Sydney Santos, LiveGirl Marketing Intern, Sacred Heart University ‘20
I have learned that although having a plan is always good, there's only so much we can actually rely on. Going with the flow is something I haven’t always been good at, I like structure and certainty. But 2020 has taught me to live in the moment and take each situation day by day, prepare for the future- but if an expectation isn’t met it’s not the end all be all. After all, I’m 22, this is my time to learn and experience everything I can. Here’s to the last four months of 2020, and whatever learning opportunities come our way.
