Any girl
can attest to it: that stare from across the room, that whisper at a party,
that rumor that came out of thin air.
This type of bullying has received a lot of media attention
over the last few years due to the increasing violence of this type of
bullying, some cases involving YouTube videos of girls beating up other girls
and even highly-publicized suicides.
Two college
graduates decided to make a change to this. Molly and Lauren, both having dealt
with their share of girl drama and bullying in both Middle and High School
created the “Kind Campaign.” Not aware of the impact they would make on the
entire nation, they set out on a roadtrip across America documenting the
conversations they encountered with groups of girls in schools, their homes,
and personal stories. They developed a documentary based on their first
roadtrip (they have had two more since the documentary came out) and make
appearances showing it to groups all around America and even Canada. In
addition to all of this, they have come up with a curriculum centered around realizing the ways we have hurt others and allowing a time and space for apologies and revelations to take place.
Having gone
to one of the showings of their documentary “Finding Kind,” I can honestly say
it is amazing what Molly and Lauren have started. They have drawn attention to
something every single girl experiences in school, something so simple, and
made real progress changing this in schools across America. The film made me
truly realize we must be more conscious of how we treat others, and several of
my friends who also went were able to restore friendships and re-evaluate the
conflicts they have had. The emotional nature of the film deeply touched many
in the group I went. Several shared their personal stories to the large group.
At the very end, Lauren and Molly themselves made an appearance and lead a
discussion. They were two of the most genuine and good-willed people I have
ever had the fortune of meeting, and it is apparent they love what they do and
will continue to do it for a long time.
If “FindingKind” is being shown anywhere near you I highly encourage you to check it out!
Here are some other resources that focus on female
friendships, leadership, and empowerment for young girls and women.
YWCA- Girls First
The mission of YWCA
GirlsFirstSM is to encourage leadership, instill confidence, develop
skills, and provide opportunities to girls of color.
Contact: Sumayya Diop at 206.568.7855 or sdiop@ywcaworks.org; www.ymcaworks.org
Powerful Voices
Powerful Voices fosters adolescent girls' development by
providing programs and promoting
social justice so girls can realize their dreams, engage their communities and shape a better world.
Also, Girlvoluntion is coming up this weekend, April 13 from 9:30am to 3pm. Check out their facebook page to find out more: http://www.facebook.com/events/220508314755864/.
social justice so girls can realize their dreams, engage their communities and shape a better world.
Also, Girlvoluntion is coming up this weekend, April 13 from 9:30am to 3pm. Check out their facebook page to find out more: http://www.facebook.com/events/220508314755864/.
Contact: (206)860-1026 or info@powerfulvoices.org;
http://www.powerfulvoices.org/
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