Hi . . .
My name is Rachel and my Girl Scout Gold Award Project titled, "Free To Be Me" has just been approved by the review committee from the Girl Scouts of Central and Southern New Jersey. Yay me!
Here is a description of my project:
"Free To Be Me" will focus on teaching girls about empowerment. I believe that in today's world, it is important to start as early as possible teaching girls about the self-assurance and self-confidence needed to grow and thrive in a world full of peer pressure, heightened by competitiveness and prejudice. Girls need to learn how to stand up for themselves, stay true to themselves, be their own advocates and discover, hold on to and be proud of who they are.
Today, girls start to feel peer pressure at a very young age ... the pressure to dress a certain way, to be thin, to have certain material possessions, to get good grades in school, to be a super athlete, even to "have the right friends." Peer pressure is everywhere. Excluding the peer pressure dealing with drugs or alcohol (which is definitely out there, but not what I am addressing in this project), but the peer pressure that makes you feel like you have to be someone other than yourself.
While there is information on the internet and books and periodicals in libraries about empowerment, there are no local programs designed specifically by someone who has gone through emotional bullying and peer pressure. This project is very near and dear to my heart. For the past two years, I was the target of social and emotional bullies. After entering High School in September, I am hoping these days are behind me. I have come through this time period in my life stronger,tougher and more empowered than I ever thought possible and would like to help others who may confront situations like mine. Unfortunately, no one will ever be able to eradicate bullying or bullies, but through my workshops, empowering girls and sharing my story, I will be able to help minimize the devastating affects that these individuals have on young peoples lives.
I am blogging to share my experiences as this project progresses and to help others who may want to a project like this in the future.
Until I post again . . .
Rachel ;)
My name is Rachel and my Girl Scout Gold Award Project titled, "Free To Be Me" has just been approved by the review committee from the Girl Scouts of Central and Southern New Jersey. Yay me!
Here is a description of my project:
"Free To Be Me" will focus on teaching girls about empowerment. I believe that in today's world, it is important to start as early as possible teaching girls about the self-assurance and self-confidence needed to grow and thrive in a world full of peer pressure, heightened by competitiveness and prejudice. Girls need to learn how to stand up for themselves, stay true to themselves, be their own advocates and discover, hold on to and be proud of who they are.
Today, girls start to feel peer pressure at a very young age ... the pressure to dress a certain way, to be thin, to have certain material possessions, to get good grades in school, to be a super athlete, even to "have the right friends." Peer pressure is everywhere. Excluding the peer pressure dealing with drugs or alcohol (which is definitely out there, but not what I am addressing in this project), but the peer pressure that makes you feel like you have to be someone other than yourself.
While there is information on the internet and books and periodicals in libraries about empowerment, there are no local programs designed specifically by someone who has gone through emotional bullying and peer pressure. This project is very near and dear to my heart. For the past two years, I was the target of social and emotional bullies. After entering High School in September, I am hoping these days are behind me. I have come through this time period in my life stronger,tougher and more empowered than I ever thought possible and would like to help others who may confront situations like mine. Unfortunately, no one will ever be able to eradicate bullying or bullies, but through my workshops, empowering girls and sharing my story, I will be able to help minimize the devastating affects that these individuals have on young peoples lives.
I am blogging to share my experiences as this project progresses and to help others who may want to a project like this in the future.
Until I post again . . .
Rachel ;)