#AntiBullyingMonth: Not Allowing the Bullies Get to Me

A few years ago, I was bullied for being different. I did not look like every other girl at school. So people judged me without even knowing me. I reacted to the cruelty by "ignoring" it until it irritated me enough that I broke down crying one day at practice. My friend sat me down and told me I was awesome and beautiful just the way I am. She told me to forget about the haters because many people love me. She said those who mind don't matter and the people who don't mind, matter. It really opened my eyes that not everyone will like you or care for what you look or act like but you need to be happy; if you can accept who you are then that is all that matters. People will fall in love with what you are than what you think you need to be.

That day on I learned to be myself for two reason; everyone else is taken and so why should I hide my qualities from the world? Everyone is different and should embrace who they are because if everyone was the same we could not meet interesting and new people.

After that incident, I was not bothered by those bullies again because I was confident and I "killed them with kindness."  Being kind to people that are being mean to you is tough to do but worth it. It really confuses them and makes them forget why they bullied you. Self confidence and resilient really helped me through that time.

Testimonial Tuesday: Danielle!

My Girl Talk journey started after attending Thirty-One’s National Conference this past year.  While listening to the founder and CEO of Girl Talk, Haley Kilpatrick, speak during general session, I was overcome with so much emotion that there was not a  doubt in my mind that I was put there for this very reason. I remember turning to my best friend, crying while saying, “This is my AH HAH moment, this is what I’m meant to do.” I knew then I needed to share this program in my hometown, not just for the young girls but for myself as well.

I have two daughters in Junior High that have both experienced so many of the “drama” topics that Girl Talk covers in their curriculum and I knew this was something that could help my girls become strong and confident young ladies. I am the mom at the school each time there’s bullying-type incident and last year I was told by the school and other parents that teasing, name calling, etc is not bullying.  But my daughter coming home in tears and feeling horrible tells me that it is a type of bullying. I have always wanted to inform our girls, parents and schools that there is more to bullying than just physical and threatening abuse. Knowing that Girl Talk will cover topics from bullying, texting and driving, developing leadership skills and learning the importance of community service, I knew in my heart that I had to start this program.

Needing a strong high school leader to get this chapter going, I posted on social media about my mission. It didn’t take long before I was contacted by several people with referrals of young ladies who would be amazing leaders.  Mothers of junior high girls contacted me to see if they could be a part of it as well. I was also contacted by a good friend, and Thirty-One sister, Erin Courville, who decided to join me as an advisor and I feel so blessed to have her on this journey with me.  

After getting approval to start our Girl Talk of League City chapter, I felt like I had won the lottery!  I have never been a part of anything like this before and I couldn’t believe that someone like me could have this kind of opportunity. The opportunity to encourage young women to just be themselves, to be true to who they are and know they do not have to change for anyone, is one of the best opportunities that I could have ever come across!

We had Girl Talk of League City’s first official meeting on September 30^th, 2013.  We had two advisors, two leaders present and five girls.  Since then, we have had two more meetings and we have a little more than doubled in size! I have such a passion for Girl Talk that I just have to share with everyone I know. 

I wanted to know who to contact to get into the school system, and so again, off to social media I went.  I found out that I went to high school with someone who is now the program director for a local school and I met with her about Girl Talk.  Her school is now going to implement Girl Talk into their school during school hours for the lower income students who may not have transportation before or after school for extra activities! Since then, I have contacted six other local schools about the Girl Talk program who are all extremely interested in offering it. We are in the works of starting several more chapters in our community as well.  I am helping each school set up their own chapter and I will remain an active volunteer of each one and continue to be the advisor for Girl Talk of League City!

To try and further spread the word of Girl Talk through League City, we have entered a float in the city’s holiday parade in December. We will be throwing candy and handing out flyers to the city in hopes to reach more young ladies. We have also contacted local papers about doing a story for us. The more girls we can reach through Girl Talk, the more the likely that the “drama years” won’t be so bad.


I want these young girls to realize they aren’t alone and there’s a place in this world for each of them.  I want them to be true to who they are, stand up tall, and be strong and confident young ladies. I want to help develop the leaders they can be or even followers who can follow the right crowd.  I want them to know that just being themselves is COOL! During our last Girl Talk meeting, I started seeing the impact on these girls and I was crying tears of joy.  What better reward than to see what you’re doing making a difference.  I feel more than blessed to have this opportunity and I thank God each day for putting Thirty-One in my lap so that I would be connected with Girl Talk, Inc. 

Testimonial Tuesday: Julie Bernard

My experience with Girl Talk has been great! I love talking to the younger girls about anything, including what is going on in both our lives. Even though I give the girls advice, there have been times when they have actually helped me!

The reason why I help others is because it gives me a strong sense of appreciation that I have helped someone get over an obstacle or just help someone talk through a situation. I love the feeling that the girls come into the meeting with a sense of comfort and urgency to tell me how their day was.

A major issue I feel girls face today is bullying.  It can vary from verbal to physical ,which becomes very emotional to all girls. Other issues, as always, are boys and family issues. I feel strongly about all the issues they play a huge factor on self-esteem. I want all girls to be able to feel confident about who they are and never be afraid to be who they are. Embrace what you are given and try to be the best version of yourself!

Testimonial Tuesday: Sara!

Girl Talk has significantly help shape the person I am today. It's mission has not only taught me self-confidence and leadership, but also the beauty of universal love and acceptance. Girl Talk has made such an impact on me, and I am so thankful that I became involved in such an amazing organization!

Testimonial Tuesday: Samantha!

I believe it is important for middle school girls to have someone to look up to and confide in with their issues they are going through. I feel as though I can offer support and understanding having been there a few short years ago. Being a part of a group is important to build self confidence and be happy with who you are.