Weekend Reading on Women’s Representation is a compilation of stories about women’s representation in politics, on boards, in sports and entertainment, in judicial offices and in the private sector in the U.S. and around the world—with a little gardening and goodwill mixed in for refreshment!
Happy International Day of the Girl! The United Nations General Assembly established this holiday in 2011 to recognize the essential rights of girls and women and the unique challenges they face around the globe. This year’s theme is “Girls’ Vision for the Future.” It specifically highlights the way global international conflicts, climate change, and poverty disproportionately impact the safety and well-being of women and girls. Women and girls worldwide have a fundamental right to education, public health, economic opportunity, freedom of speech, a safe community, and so much more. We must improve the conditions for women and girls in the United States and around the globe.
Oct. 11, 2024, is also Eleanor Roosevelt’s 140th birthday. She redefined what it meant to be first lady of the United States, actively advancing New Deal policies, organizing volunteers during World War II, writing an almost-daily column for 30 years, representing the Red Cross internationally, and hosting women-only press conferences.
Following her husband’s death, she was appointed as a delegate to the United Nations and served as chair of the Human Rights Commission. There, she was the architect of the U.N.’s Universal Declaration of Human Rights—a first-of-its-kind document recognizing that “the inherent dignity and of the equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family is the foundation of freedom, justice, and peace in the world.”
While it seems obvious now, the ideals advocated by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights represented a turning point for international collaboration. Written against the backdrop of World War II, it marked the first time communities from across the globe reaffirmed their commitment to peace and understanding. Because of Eleanor Roosevelt’s involvement, initiatives explicitly supporting women’s rights, like International Day of the Girl, were able to grow. RepresentWomen encourages you to sign Cynthia’s petition to rename Dulles Airport after this brilliant and accomplished woman to honor her legacy.
In this week’s Weekend Reading, the RepresentWomen staff shares advice with their younger selves, reflections on the meaning of girlhood, and their visions for a more gender-balanced world. It’s an honor to be part of an organization filled with talented, innovative women dedicated to advancing gender parity, empowering women in politics, and creating a genuinely representative 21st-century democracy.
Cynthia Richie Terrell, Executive Director
I loved wearing this dress as a girl and imagining I could blend into the daisies, in my daisy dress, and become part of my grandmother’s garden. I spent a lot of time in gardens as a child, which instilled in me a sense of wonder in the natural world and an appreciation for the renewal and opportunity each new year and season brings. So, the advice my younger self might give my current self is to remember to make time to plant seeds, nurture growth, and share the bounty.
Arianna Conte, Communications Manager
The best advice I have ever received is from my mom—that my joy is non-negotiable. She regularly repeats this phrase to my brother and me, and I wish I had understood, appreciated, and acted on it a decade ago. My mom is the most resilient person I know, and I am proud to learn from her every single day.
Katie Usalis, Partnerships Director
Ria Deshmukh, Digital Media Manager
I was born in Washington, D.C., and lived about 10 miles outside the city for the first part of my life. When I was a baby, my father would take me for drives around the city whenever I needed to be soothed to sleep for the night. From the very beginning, I was in an environment rich with political change.
Looking back as an adult, I realized the younger me had much of herself figured out. I spoke out about things I felt were unfair, I kept creating art, and I would try to help other kids adjust to the rapidly changing life that comes with growing up. This spark faded as I grew older, and I worried more about fitting in. Today, I use my creativity to spread the word about building women’s political power in the nation’s capital.
My advice to my younger self (and to all young girls) is to trust your gut and follow your passions fully despite what others may think.
Courtney Lamendola, Research Director
My grandmother used to tell me how her mother would tease her, saying she’d play with dolls and dress-up well past her wedding day. Through her daughters and then her granddaughters, that ended up being true. From the time she played dolls and dress-up with me as a child to this day, I’ve always felt that my grandmother has embodied a kind of playfulness and creativity that has shaped my view of girlhood. My grandmother never gave this advice to me in words, but through her actions, she taught me that you’re never too old to be (and find joy in being) a girl.
Fatma Tawfik, International Research Manager
As a young girl, I believed that nothing was impossible, that all dreams were achievable, and that the world was in my hands. Soon, all of these beliefs shattered when people started telling me that I couldn’t do certain things because I was a girl. However, I never submitted to this, which later earned me the “rebel” title; whenever anyone tried to stop me from doing the things I wanted or loved, my mother would tell me, “Don’t mind them,” so I lived my life with this motto regarding people’s opinion.
My advice to all young girls who face criticism for pursuing their dreams as they enter womanhood: “Don’t mind them.”
Ashley Thurston, Communications Director
dancer, an orator, and briefly a singer, you set the trail ablaze with confidence. Believe in yourself, trust yourself, and give yourself grace. Be unapologetic about the love you share and the joy you radiate. The world is your oyster; you can go anywhere and do anything.
Remember, beauty transcends outward appearances; it’s about your inner qualities. Are you kind? Empathetic? A light to others? Lead with your heart, but be cautious. If you’re not accepted, shake the dust off your feet. Protect your energy and light, but don’t hide them—the world needs to experience all you have to offer.
Prioritize your peace, love your family abundantly, establish boundaries and practice self-care. With the Spirit’s guidance, you’ll find yourself in spaces you once only dreamed of. Always remember to love and respect yourself. Embrace your skin, your body, your curls, and your unique personality—there’s no one like you. Do all you can to be the best version of yourself.
Peace, Queen. Buckle up, because life will take you on a joyous ride!
Alissa Bombardier Shaw, Outreach Manager
Happy International Day of the Girl! It is an honor to celebrate the positive, strong force of girlhood. As I reflect on my own girlhood, one piece of advice I would give to my younger self is to be kinder to yourself. As a girl, showing kindness and compassion to others came easily to me, but extending that same care to myself did not always. There are so many things in this world that will try to dim your light- don’t let one of those things be your own self, doubts, or fears.
As I grew, I realized that I would say negative things about myself and my own actions that I would never say about another person. Now, as a woman, when I hear the people in my life engaging in negative self-talk, one of my favorite things to tell them is, “Don’t talk to my friend like that!” This mindset helps me remember that I am usually much harder on myself than I am on anyone else and that I deserve the same love that I give to others.
Victoria Pelletier, National Partnerships Manager
The advice I would give to my younger self is to embrace the unknown. You will be introduced to and say goodbye to so many versions of yourself along your journey, with new wisdom, goals, and life experiences. Welcome these new versions in, be open to transformation, and ride the wave.
Rechelle Gutierrez, Research Intern
Growing up with only sisters and all-girl cousins, I understood at an early age how special it is to embrace ‘girlhood.’ While being a woman comes with various challenges, I hold onto the simple memories of my sisters doing my hair and makeup, my mom teaching me how to cook, and the advice I would get from my grandma every day as the memories that fuel my happiness. The best advice I received growing up was from my mom, who taught me never to stray away from hardships and to face battles head-on, heavily emphasizing the power of education and a passion for my career field.
Because of my mom’s advice and my willingness to push forward, I have had the opportunity to intern for strong women politicians and women-led organizations like RepresentWomen, EMILYs List, and New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham. Achieving gender parity in local, state, and federal offices is beyond important to me because we should live in a world that is representative of the hardships and values of womanhood. We deserve a government truly representative of the perspectives and realities of women in all aspects. I hope one day, our elected offices can address ongoing societal and cultural expectations of women and intersectional challenges to promote equality for all.
Empowering Girls to Lead: A Conversation with Priestley Johnson on Girl Up’s Global Movement and the Path to Gender Equity
At RepresentWomen, we know that today’s girls are tomorrow’s women leaders. As I sat down with Priestley Johnson, the Director of Girl Up USA, I felt an electric sense of purpose surrounding our conversation. With International Day of the Girl as our backdrop, she illuminated the profound impact that empowering girls can have on their communities and the world at large. Johnson’s passion for gender equity and youth leadership shone through as she spoke about the transformative work being done through Girl Up. It became clear that this initiative isn’t just about recognition on a single day; it’s a commitment to nurturing the next generation of female leaders every day of the year.
During our discussion, Johnson detailed some of Girl Up’s latest initiatives, like the “Her Voice, Her Vote” campaign—#HerVoiceHerVote, which mobilizes young girls to participate in the democratic process. Her stories of girls stepping up to lead voter registration drives and shoreline cleanups were not only inspiring but a testament to the resilience and determination of today’s youth.
As she passionately described the global reach of Girl Up—from Zimbabwe to Brazil—I couldn’t help but feel hopeful. This organization is creating a sisterhood that fosters collaboration and empowerment among girls, ensuring they know their voices matter. Together, they are forging a path toward a more equitable future, reminding us all that the journey toward gender justice is not just necessary, but unstoppable.
Priestley Johnson says:
International Day of the Girl (IDG) is a day for the world to acknowledge the strength of girls’ voices and celebrate their remarkable achievements. It also serves as a day to confront the challenges that girls all over the world may encounter, whether that be poverty, gender inequality, limited access to education, or healthcare. At Girl Up, International Day of the Girl extends far beyond a single day of recognition — every day is the Day of the Girl. We believe that when girls rise, they become a catalyst for real, lasting change. Our goal is for girls to know and believe that they can rewrite the story of their lives and transform the world around them.
Girl Up is a girl-centered leadership development initiative focusing on equity for girls and women in spaces where they are unheard of or underrepresented. In 2010, Girl Up was founded by the United Nations Foundation (UNF) as the first-of-its-kind initiative dedicated to supporting adolescent girls’ education, health, and safety. Since then, we’ve become a global movement that engages, trains, and mobilizes girls and young people of all identities to be leaders. Girl Up is dedicated to equipping 13-24-year-old girls with the tools, skills, and resources they need to take action for what they believe in.
Feminists Gather to Celebrate Women
Last week, I had the privilege of attending a discussion with Jessica Mackler, the new President of EMILYs List, hosted by Nithya Thadani, CEO of RAIN and chair of the board of directors for Human Rights First. In November, we highlighted the urgent need to elect women leaders committed to safeguarding reproductive freedom at every level—from the federal executive to the U.S. Senate to state legislatures.
EMILYs List actively recruits and trains candidates while building robust campaigns championing women’s reproductive rights. From taking on the FEC to galvanizing communities through grassroots organizing, their mission is to empower women and advocate for their rights. Their crucial work in state legislatures aims to protect narrow majorities and flip chambers in regions where reproductive rights are threatened. With the stakes higher than ever, we must support leaders dedicated to these important issues.
Under Jessica Mackler’s leadership, EMILYs List is unwavering in its mission to protect and expand reproductive rights. It is a crucial endeavor when these rights face increasing judicial and legislative threats, positioning her role as vital in shaping their future within the political landscape. Her memorable speech at the 2024 Democratic National Convention was much more than a call to action. It was a call for progress.
I shared insights from RepresentWomen’s 2024 Gender Parity Index and Breaking Barriers for Black Women Candidatesbrief, the latter of which I authored. We discussed the importance of gender parity and the tremendous opportunities available to elect more women to office at all levels this year.
It was an honor to meet Mackler. Not only is she gracious, innovative and witty, but she is also a wonderful ally who helps more women run, win, serve and lead!
Restlessness Until Freedom
Fannie Lou Hamer‘s iconic phrase, “We who believe in freedom will not rest,” echoed through the event last weekend “Flowers for Fannie Lou Hamer,” held at Freedom Farm Azul. Co-sponsored by RepresentWomen, the gathering honored Hamer’s legacy as a civil rights pioneer.
A diverse crowd filled with passion and purpose gathered to celebrate Hamer’s contributions to racial equality and social justice. The peaceful setting of the Farm, dedicated to sustainability and social justice, resonated with the event’s spirit.
Members of the community were bused from Birmingham to Montgomery on charter buses to enjoy this community event. The transportation provided an opportunity for individuals from different regions to come together and celebrate Hamer’s legacy.
A keynote address by renowned scholar, poet, and activist Alexis Pauline Gumbs further enriched the event. Gumbs drew powerful connections between Hamer’s legacy and contemporary struggles for justice, inspiring attendees to deepen their understanding of Hamer’s work and its relevance to today’s challenges. Gumbs’s insights motivated attendees to continue the fight for a more equitable society, drawing inspiration from Hamer’s unwavering commitment to justice.
Cultural activities, including music, poetry, and art, reflected Hamer’s passion for the arts and her commitment to uplifting marginalized communities.
As we remember Fannie Lou Hamer, especially in this pivotal moment, we are reminded of the power of collective action and the importance of speaking out against injustice. Her legacy challenges us to confront ongoing racial and social inequalities and strive for a brighter future for all.
What Are Your Favorite Playground Games?
To commemorate International Day of the Girl, we are sharing a ranked-choice voting poll on favorite childhood games! What did you like to play?
In the spirit of International Day of the Girl, we’re reminded of the importance of empowering women leaders of the present and the future. Together, we can work toward ensuring more women run for and win political office at every level of government.
Join us on Oct. 24 from 2-3:30 p.m. EST for our 21st Century Seneca Falls Virtual Town Hall! Hear from women leaders, elected officials, and advocates as they discuss strategies to support women in public office.
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