Bridging the Gap from Girls to Women
"I wish I had been told that when I was younger," says every woman when she learns something new about her body and hormones.
When I was growing up, my mom handed me a book about puberty and asked me to read it cover to cover. My brother got a book about boys. Then, we swapped. My mom asked if I had any questions. Of course, I didn’t. It would have been mortifying to talk to my mom about my body.
Like many young girls, I spent much of my life reacting to my body, asking questions only after symptoms or challenges arose—whether it was PMS, pre- and post-natal changes, or perimenopause.
We've been fortunate to see that women are finally being included in medical studies. Pelvic floor health, hot flashes, and menopause are no longer considered shameful or embarrassing topics. Women’s health is getting the attention it deserves, gaining momentum, and improving lives.
But I believe it’s time to bring this conversation to the younger generation. Teach them all the things we wish we knew, in a fun, collaborative, connected way.
If girls are lucky today, they feel more comfortable talking about their bodies. However, the reality is that most don’t. Instead, many end up suppressing their feelings, and worse, allowing these external influences to negatively affect their self-esteem on multiple levels.
Over the coming months, I will be sharing information, events, and communities that provide opportunities for young girls to learn, love, and connect—not only with their bodies but also with mentors, both girls and women, who can offer support and guidance. My hope is that girls gain knowledge about their bodies early in puberty. I want them to develop a sense of community that fosters both education and empowerment, so they can understand and love their bodies from a young age.
When you don’t understand your body, it can lead to feelings of shame, mistrust, disconnection, and embarrassment. The resources are limiting for girls to learn and grow with their bodies. Most turn to peers or social media for information (who are often not well-informed).These feelings can impact us for years or even decades. It’s my goal to change that.
I am currently collecting interest for this initiative. If this is something you want to be a part of, or if you know mothers who want a better future for their daughters, please sign up here. Please share with any mothers you know.
With gratitude,
