Everyday Inspirations: Tell Somebody!

 A Girl Talk Leader shares an inspiring experience from a recent Chapter Meeting.

Techdigit.com, 2013

The other day during a discussion at our Girl Talk meeting, one of the girls told one of our leaders that she had been cyber bullied. Someone had posted a mean status on her wall, and although she blocked the girl, other people continued to comment mean things. Our leader knew exactly what to do and brought the girls to our advisors- two different teachers at the school. The teachers then encouraged the girl and also had her write down all of the names of the people involved, even if they did not attend our school.

I wanted to share this inspiration to let all the middle school girls know that it is O.K. To come to a leader when something bad is happening to you or a friend. I know that it can be hard talking to a parent or a teacher, but luckily Girl Talk girls can go to a Leader first and they can go TOGETHER to determine what steps to take from there. We appreciate it SO much when you come to us because we are here to make a difference in your lives!

XOXO,

A Girl Talk Leader <3

Alcohol Awareness from a Leader's POV

Hi, my name is Annie Longfritz and I am the leader and founder of the Wayland, MA Girl Talk chapter. I’m currently a senior at Wayland High School and this is second spring of our chapter.

 

Last year, I had the idea to include a lesson about alcohol consumption. Underage drinking is reasonably popular at my high school, and as someone who is against underage drinking, I wanted to make sure the 8^th grade girls knew that NOT EVERY ONE DRINKS IN HIGH SCHOOL and you don’t need to do it to have fun or be accepted. We discussed health, legal, and social implications of drinking in small groups so the girls, both middle schoolers and high schoolers alike, would feel more comfortable talking about it. That being said, to avoid sounding like unreasonable and didactic health teachers, we also touched base upon how to safely drink or what to do if a friend drank too much and needed help, because whether they choose or not to drink in high school, we want them to be safe, healthy and happy.

 

After discussing in small groups, I decided we would need some comic relief after such a serious topic. I borrowed a few drunk goggles from the local police station – these are goggles that distort your vision and depth perception and make it extremely hard (and fun to try) to walk. They show you not how it feels when you’re drunk, but how incapable you are and how dumb you look to other people as you’re stumbling around when you’re drunk. We set up a relay race in the gymnasium involving things such as cartwheels and jumping through hula hoops, and it was hysterical! It was an absolute blast. Afterwards, we all came together as a large group and discussed what we learned in our small groups, the important things they took away from the discussions, and also answered any more questions or addressed any more fears that they had.

 

One of the high school mentors had a brother in the same grade as the 8^th grade mentees, and the next day he told her that he overheard one of the girls on the bus claiming that she was now morally against underage drinking and made all of her friends pinky promise to never do so in high school which literally warmed my heart when the mentor told me about it. Also, at the end of the year I distributed anonymous surveys, and one of the questions asked what the 8^th graders’ favorite lessons were, and the overwhelming majority said the underage drinking lesson. It felt great to know I was actually making a difference for these girls, and I hope the lessons they learned that day stick with them during their high school years!

Everyday Inspirations: To the Game We Go!

Advisor, Tawaiian Rhodes, writes today's Everyday Inspirations about her time at the Atlanta Hawks Game!

As an Advisor, I’m always looking of new ways to keep my girls motivated and inspired. By planning trips, meetings, community events, I just want them to be connected. While following Girl Talk online, I came across their post of having tickets to the Hawks game. I posted that I’d like the tickets for the game as a way to show teamwork to my girls. We got them the Friday before the game. It was such an amazing experience being in the Girl Talk office and meeting Haley and her awesome team.

Tawaiian and her family at the Girl Talk HQ

 Our meeting was Monday, the night before the game. I was so excited to tell the girls about the game, but they were even more excited than I was! My daughter Amariah was so excited, by the time I was on the way to pick her up she had invited more of her friends! 

Amariah & her friend representing Girl Talk at the game!

We met up and had a wonderful time at the game filled with family and group members. For some, this was their first time ever attending a professional sporting event. My enjoyment came in watching the joy on their faces, the screams that came from the voices, and the warm hugs that said thank you. This trip was amazing for us and of course they are looking to do it all again. Thanks Again Girl Talk!

Tawaiian Rhodes

Founder & Director, I Am Worth It!

"Happy T.H.I.N.K. Thursday!" from the Trinity Girl Talk Chapter

Today is T.H.I.N.K. Thursday! Yay! Kelsey Briggs, a Girl Talk Leader at Trinity Girl Talk Chapter, decided to do an anti-bullying video to promote T.H.I.N.K. Now, to hand it over to Kelsey!

        After a year of being a Girl Talk leader, I am still so inspired by the program and so excited by all of the opportunities that I've been able to give my girls through Girl Talk. We spent about two-three months discussing bullying, planning different bullying scenes, rehearsing and shooting. The girls loved being able to put their acting skills to use, but even more than that, they loved knowing that this video will touch the hearts of everyone who would watch it. It was shown at their school's assembly for a new bullying program, and we also showed it to the School Board. My fellow leader, Stephanie Glenn, helped me collect statistics and edit all of the clips together.

So inspired, Kelsey, Stephanie, and the Girl Talk Girls! I am in LOVE with this video! What an awesome way to use your talents to present anti-bullying tactics and T.H.I.N.K.! If you want to find more information about Girl Talk's National T.H.I.N.K. Campaign, please click here!

Are you T.H.I.N.K.ing today?!

Excited & Inspired,

Anne

Everyday Inspirations: Running Into Hope

Hey Inspiring Folks!

Who's excited for the first edition of "Everyday Inspirations"?! Today, I'm sharing with you guys an inspiring moment that happened in my life recently. I hope you all enjoy it!

For starters, I love running and competing in races! Running always helps me relieve stress, organize my mind, and it's great exercise! I ran my second half marathon at the happiest place on Earth aka Disney World!! That's right, I ran in the 2013 Disney Princess Half Marathon! I didn't perform my best, but it was still the most fun I ever had while running 13.1 miles!

Yes, that's me jumping and high-fiving Goofy at the Finish Line!

 

Even before the race, my knee had been bothering me a little bit, but I didn't think it was anything serious and not to mention, I was not going to forfeit Disney World! I did my best to ice it, but the race definitely made my knee worse. A week after the race, I decided to take a break from running. It really broke my heart, but I knew that I it'd be better to take a temporary break from running rather than being forced to take a permanent one later on down the road.

That was in March and now it's the middle of April, and I still can't run too much. I was telling this to one of my friends at church who is also a runner.  The next day, I received a Facebook message from her filled with encouragement and positivity. It made me feel so loved and, of course, inspired!

It really inspired me to never forget to provide kind words to others because it really could make someone's day!

Excited & Inspired,

Anne




Strong Rock Chapter Visit

This past Wednesday, a few members of the Girl Talk Team & I got to visit the Strong Rock Christian Academy Girl Talk Chapter. It was soooo inspiring!

First off, the school is huge! The Team & I joked that the lobby looked like one from a hotel. Not even kidding.  Anyway, once we got to the Girl Talk meeting, I was amazed at how the Girl Talk Leaders easily got the attention of the Girl Talk Girls. At one point, everyone was laughing, talking, etc., and then one of the Leaders announced the meeting was starting, and the girls quickly settled down in their seats. Love that high school girls get to have leadership opportunities!

The lesson was about how you should have an attitude of joy and not an attitude of meanness, because attitudes are like a chain reaction by affecting those around you. The Chapter did a spin-off of the lesson in the curriculum book called, "Attitude of Gratitude." It was so awesome to me that the Leaders were inspired by our lesson about attitude to create their own that was better suited for their Chapter. Not to mention, it  ran so smoothly and the girls were so responsive!

 

                                     
I loved hearing the girls discuss what is joyful and what isn't, how they can help encourage others, and times when they have felt joy. All of the girls were so respectful of one another and their Leaders. It was just amazing to see how happy those girls were while in their Chapter meeting. So inspired!!

 

 

By far my favorite part of the meeting was when the Girl Talk Advisor said that it was her daughter's birthday & she asked if we would leave her a happy birthday voicemail. Then, she tells us that her daughter was actually the Leader who started Girl Talk at Strong Rock! It was so inspiring because all of the current Girl Talk Leaders had the Advisor's daughter as their Leader! Not to mention, who doesn't love singing "Happy Birthday"?!
                                   

Below is the Advisor's computer that has, "GIRL TALK," attached to the top of it. It was so inspiring being in a school that is so supportive of their Chapter! I am so glad I was able to attend this Chapter visit! Siiigh, I love my job! <3

Hope your week has been filled with inspirations!

Excited & Inspired,

Anne

 

From Haley's Desk: U(and)derage Drinking 21 (GIVEAWAY!)

How do I make this topic cool? Something you will want to read and not roll your eyes…thinking "yeah, yeah…I’ve heard this all before". I can give you A LOT of scary statistics, pictures of car accidents, videos of people who have lost loved ones because someone made one bad choice…(yep, just one bad choice), but will any of these things really stick? Will they really make you think twice before drinking in front of your friends or binging to escape? For most of you, probably not. So what’s a girl like me to do to get through to you?

Why should you care? I don’t know…maybe because approximately 8.5 million 12-20 year old girls consumed alcohol this past school year?! Oh wait...that’s one of those boring statics right? I take it back. Why should you "say no"? Ask yourself if you or someone you know has been affected by either the choices and/or consequences of underage drinking? Chances are your answer is yes. If so, what would you think if I told you some of the best organizations have been inspired through sad or bad things that happen to you or those you love? Sometimes the most difficult things we go through in life can lead you to be a part of or start something that helps others.

In case you can’t tell, I’m passionate about girls and underage drinking- and how one wrong choice can infinitely impact their futures. So much so that it was one of the original lessons in the Girl Talk Curriculum, and for the past six years at Girl Talk, we’ve dedicated our time and resources throughout the month of April to getting girls excited about National Alcohol Awareness Month. Did you know that when someone is passionate about a specific issue, there is usually a good reason why? Well, there are many personal reasons why I choose to take a stand against underage drinking, but most of us have a personal reason to be passionate about this issue right? Let me know if you’d like more details about my "why" and I will be happy to share. More importantly, I am so grateful that I get to use my voice raise awareness on issues that have become increasingly more important to me through my job at Girl Talk!

I want you to think twice before making one bad decision that could impact the rest of your life before you are of legal age (can you find the "U 21" reference in that sentence? ). Even better? I challenge U to take the pledge to not participate in underage drinking! If U are one of the 8.5 million girls who did consume alcohol underage this school year, give yourself a 2nd chance, (a fresh start) and set a goal to inspire 1 other person to do the same. You two can be accountability partners- like Jay-Z and Beyonce, like SpongeBob and Patrick, like Taylor Swift and Abigail Anderson...okay...you catch my drift? You picking up what I am putting down? Score!

If you are still reading, I am genuinely grateful! As an added incentive for U 2 be the 1 person to say "no" (aka I love myself enough not to put my life or anyone else’s life in danger by drinking underage), I ask that you take it a step further and click here to take this pledge as a commitment to yourself. If you choose to take this admirable step and like incentives, please send me a Facebook message (www.facebook.com/haleykilpatrickauthor) with U21 + your mailing address so I can send you a special surprise. Feel free add anything to the message about why you have made this decision/why it is important to you, or even if you taking this pledge represents you giving yourself a second chance to choose your future over drinking underage.

I continue to hope and believe that together, we can make a difference and that each year more of you will choose to be that girl that other girls can look up to, and ultimately that 8.5 million girls number will continue to decrease…big time. Will you join me?
I’d like to conclude with one if my favorite quotes in hopes that it gives you the courage to be that somebody who chooses to do something about it.

"I always wondered why somebody didn't do something about that. Then I realized I am that somebody."
 

 

 Dream big,

Girl Talk Founder & CEO

 

  
 

New Series: "Everyday Inspirations!"

Good morning, World!

How are you doing? I hope you are all doing well! <3 The Girl Talk Team and I decided to start a new series called, "Everuday Inspirations." So, what is this series all about? Simple! It is so easy to get caught up in the rut of day to day tasks, but then someone gives you a compliment, does an act of kindess to you or someone else, or stands up for something/someone, and it changes your whole mood! Suddenly, you want to get all Sound of Music and run through the hills while singing and dancing...

Copyright Disney 2013

Ok...maybe that's just me! Anyway, my point is that experiencing those kind of things makes us feel good, happy, in other words: inspired.

It can be easy to forget these moments, but we want to celebrate them like they should be by writing about them. Every Monday, you will hear from me, other members of the Girl Talk Team, or anyone else who sends me a post! Yes, anyone includes YOU! If you have an inspiring story you want to share, just send me an email at socialmedia@mygirltalk.org with "Everyday Inspirations: YOUR NAME."  I'll take care of the actual posting :) I can't wait to read about your inspirations!!

Now, doesn't this make Monday a day to look forward to? ;)

Excited & Inspired,

Anne <3



 

                                  



Welcome Back!

Hello again, world! There have been some MAJOR changes at Girl Talk: from new team members to new partnerships (waddup, Thirty-One?!) to many new Chapters! Through all of these inspiring changes, we had to put our focus on them and put the blog on the back burner (sorry!!) But now we're back and ready to party! 

"But wait a second," you may ask, "how am I supposed to know that the blog's disappearance won't happen again?" Well, thoughtful reader, you are reading the words from the NEW Social Media Coordinator! How awesome is that!? Here are some deets about me: my name is Anne Cheek and I'm a senior at Georgia State University (Go Panthers!). Some things I love are running, puppies, sweets, Disney, and Girl Talk (duh!). Some things I don't love are spiders, mushrooms, and bullies. Think we're going to get along?  Good, I think so, too! 

That's me in the middle with some other members of the Girl Talk Team: Danae and Billi Jo <3

So why a blog? We at Girl Talk wanted to create a place for you to see what all of Girl Talk (Chapters, Girl Talk Girls, and Girl Talk itself) is currently up to!  With sites like Facebook and Twitter, there is a certain word count, so things have to be cut out.  But that won't happen here!  You will see posts from Facebook and Twitter better explained with more details and more pictures, yay!

I really want you to get involved with this.  I love seeing/hearing Facebook and Twitter updates, but it'd be a-m-a-zing if you guys were to submit posts, Girl Talk moments,what's going on in your Chapters, and/or an inspirational moment!  So while I'll be monitoring the blog, you will be giving us the content! From time to time, we will be sharing stuff that is going on at the headquarters.  But for the most part, this blog is for you, about you, by you.  Sound like a plan?  GREAT! You can easily submit stories through messaging us on our Facebook, through our Twitter, here, or through my email socialmedia@mygirltalk.org. 

I look forward to hearing your stories!!

Excited & Inspired,

Anne Cheek