Dear Girls of the World, Never Forget Your Greatest Superpower: Your Voice

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Dear Girls,

You are wonderful, ambitious, and bright — never let anyone crush your hopes and dreams. No matter where you live in the world — from New York to Beijing — please know how special you are. You can accomplish anything you set your mind to. And as cheesy as it sounds, it's true.

Life may take you in strange, scary, and interesting directions sometimes, but your passions should always be your guide through life. When you embrace your inner confidence, and own who you are, that’s when the magic happens.

I may not have all the answers, but I can tell you this: In 2011, the United Nations decided to honor girls worldwide with their own special day, called International Day of the Girl Child. This means that young, ambitious girls just like you, living throughout the world, are celebrated. This glorious day recognizes that girls are leading and demanding gender equality changes across the globe.

This is a big deal

Women and girls have made such amazing strides in everything from literature and medicine to anti-bullying and racial justice around the world.

To all the girls out there: At some point, you’ll have an important message you’ll want to share with other girls and yes, even boys. You love hard, you play hard, and you wish social situations in the world about gender and race could be different. You'll be the ones to make sure they are.

Whether you speak up at school, send off an email to a politician or an organization, or just express your concerns and opinions to friends and family, what you have to say about anything you’re truly passionate about is important and shouldn’t be silenced.

Every girl has a voice and the power to evoke change

Your voice is your superpower — use it for equality, for standing up for yourself, or for helping someone else who may feel powerless to get their message across.
People will listen. They may offer their own assistance. What you need is the confidence in yourself to get the ball rolling, and don't worry, you’ll get there.

First, stop worrying what others will think of you. You’re speaking up for yourself, because you NEED to do this for you. Sure, you want to help others in a positive way, but try not to worry so much what others will think about you stating your truth.

Think about what’s really important — or not — to you and don’t let anyone along the way silence you just because you're a girl. Words can move mountains! If you don’t speak up about changes you want to see personally or within in your community — such as male-dominated sports teams welcoming girls or telling someone NOT to touch you in a certain way — you may regret it.

It just takes some inner confidence and the ability to rise above the fear.