Help me raise $500 for Hardy Girls Healthy Women’s programs that are designed by girls, for girls. HGHW programs build coalitions of self-identifying girls across the state of Maine, to help youth discover their voices and empower each other.

I have volunteered as a board member for HGHW for three years because its programs — coalitions of girls, the Girls Rock! Awards that amplifies the stories of girls, and feminist education through workshops — would have greatly benefited a younger version of me.

When I was a girl, I carried an unspoken belief that my potential was limited. I thought that some activities were meant for me, and others were not. I didn’t believe I was smart enough to become an engineer or a scientist, or enthusiastic and extroverted enough to be a leader. I hardly thought about my potential beyond what other people encouraged or discouraged me to be or do.

When I learned about Hardy Girls Healthy Women's programs as an adult in a news article in 2015, I thought about how none of us are born with the self doubt I grew up experiencing and still struggle with today. We are all born with the potential to be whatever it is we want to be. We just need the right environment to nurture us.

I support Hardy Girls Healthy Women because it creates environments for girls to realize their potential. Please make a donation to support young Mainers today :)

Hardy Girls' biggest fundraiser is the annual Girls* Rock! Awards. This is one awesome night of listening to girls talk about leaping over stereotypes, ignoring the haters and smashing the patriarchy. We honor six girls* who are challenging society and making changes around our state. Hardy Girls Healthy Women takes girls seriously and puts the power in their hands to challenge a society that ignores their brilliance. 

*self-identifying girls and gender expansive youth