Jump into Spring 2012 is fast-approaching, and Strong Women, Strong Girls is looking for volunteers to help make the event a success! Jump into Spring is SWSG’s annual signature celebration, a gathering of the girls and mentors from all SWSG program sites across all cities. Through music, dance, special guest performances, and jumping rope, Jump into Spring encourages a healthy, active lifestyle while joyously celebrating all that...

“I gotta crow!” Mary Martin sang– hands on her hips, chest up, big smile– demonstrating to Eliza, the Darling family housekeeper, how to boast about herself in Peter Pan.  As a girl, I loved the live-action version of Peter Pan starring a woman… I liked crowing along with her… and I now realize that it was training for sharing that “I am proud” (and not afraid to shout it out loud!) about who I am and what I’ve...

Research has shown that having five or more friends boosts your chances of happiness by fifty percent. Author Molly Jackson described the five MUST have friends in a recent article published in Harmony Magazine. I have added a little take of my own to these important categories in honor of my wonderful friends. Your Blunt Friend – She will tell you, “Yes, your butt does look big in those pants.” I think of my friend Sally as direct...

Ladies, have you enjoyed the time that you have spent mentoring young girls? Would you like to continue? Your time spent making a difference in a girl’s life does not have to end when you graduate. Join the Big Sister team! We offer one-to-one and group mentoring programs that give you the opportunity to mentor girls near where you work or where you live. The program that fits you will depend on your time, your location, and the type of...

Growing up, my mom and dad realized the effect that parental enthusiasm and support has on children, and only constructively criticized me when it was absolutely necessary. I was never told I wasn’t good enough, that I didn’t do a good job, or that my performance had been disappointing. In fact, it was quite the opposite; I was constantly showered with love, appreciation and applause, perhaps even when it was not quite...