After a week hiatus during the Thanksgiving holiday the Go Get IT Girl of the Week guest blogger post is back! Today’s featured blogger is the founder of the Priceless Project – a program geared towards helping women meet life’s challenges.
Growing up in the Bronx, New York, the Priceless Project founder, and school social worker, I (Ruby L. Taylor, M.S.W.) know first-hand what happens when a young women does not feel worthy and lack self-esteem. Having been sexually abused, dealing with the murder of my brother at 14 years old, and having a speech impediment made me feel unworthy throughout adolescents. As a result I was on the verge of failing out of high school and living a life I did not desire. Until one day Crystal Russell, a high school friend invited me to a dinner for high achieving New York City high schools students at the Marriot Marquis with the Attorney General Janet Reno.
That night seating with high achieving students from various NYC public high schools exposed me to possibilities. I realized I was worth being invited to an event for honor students; even though I was not an honor student. I was worthy of graduating high school. I was worthy of attending college and going after my goals. The one night of possibility changed my life view forever. It took the life of pain and hurt and turned it into a life of healing, hope and joy. I realized I was priceless, no matter what.
Today’s women and young ladies face innumerable challenges. The Priceless Project™ believes that women and young ladies can better meet those challenges by having high self-worth and a sense of purpose, using the principles of personal development, goal setting, dream-building, and self-motivation.
According to the Dove Campaign’s “Real Truth about Beauty: Global Study (2005),” Ninety-two percent of teen girls would like to change something about the way they look, with body weight ranking the highest.
The image of ‘Woman’ as having a certain look, wearing fashionable clothes and weighing a certain amount has created a poor self-image and the lack of the female priceless spirit. Media messages and even well-intended parental and teacher comments can convey the message that young women are valued for their looks, rather than their talents, voice, and character.
Ruby speaking to a group of women.
Organizations across the country and the world are emerging to fight this cultural bias and remind girls and young women that their lives matter, that they are more than their looks, and they are worthy of good things and being protected. Some initiatives taking place are the United Nations organization Girl Up, The Girl’s Guide to Swagger Movement, Eve’s Circle and many more; Also, President Obama created White House Council on Girls and Women in 2009!
Healthy self-esteem is a teenage girl’s shield against the struggles and challenges of life. When teenage girls embrace their priceless value and/or self-esteem is high, they are able to triumph over many adversities life throws at them. Today’s teenage girls face innumerable challenges. They face discrimination, gender bias, sexual exploitation, teenage pregnancy, family problems, drug and alcohol abuse, school issues, sexual harassment, domestic abuse, Facebook drama, bullying, eating disorders, image distortion and many more obstacles. In order for teenage girls to use coping skills to grow throw every life struggles they will face, they must know they are worthy.
To empower teenage girls to embrace their true self-worth The Priceless Project started a Kickstarter Campaign. Only 60% of projects are accepted to be a part of KICKSTARTER and The Priceless Project was one of the 60%. The Priceless Project http://kck.st/sqU0P1 is passionate and driven to increase self-worth in teenage girls. We are working hard at getting The Priceless Project book designed, printed and in the hands of at least 100 teenage girls, in urban communities, for FREE.
The Priceless Project Book is full of encouragement to uplift the female priceless spirit. The book includes real-life stories, given hope, inspiration, and guidance to overcome life challenges, and increase self-worth for young women and girls 12 to 19 years old. With a successful Kickstarter Campaign we will have the resources to design, print and give books to teenage girls for free.
Week 1 we had 0 backers and 0 dollars.
Week 2 we had $272 and 69 Likes on Facebook.
Week 3 we have 19 backers, $742 and 242 Likes on Facebook.
5 more weeks to go!
Every pledge comes with thank you gifts and will bring us one step closer to our goal and the no money will taken out of a supporter account until December 31st, 2011.
There is some risk involved in fundraising through Kickstarter.com. The site has an all-or-nothing mentality, requiring a set time span to fund projects. The Priceless Project has until New Year’s Eve December 31, 2011 to raise $2,500 or else all donations are nullified.
I know there are risks, but I have faith that our goal will be reached. Will you help me empower teenage girls TODAY?
Maria I am so proud to on the Get It Girl Blog! Thanks so much for the opportunity, YOU ARE PRICELESS. Ruby
Thanks Ruby! I’m looking forward to reading your book.
What an inspiring story of overcoming early trauma!
I totally agree!