More About the Because I Am A Girl Movement and Our Gathering

Having a daughter is one of the most thrilling things in my life, and one of the most terrifying. There are so many sick people in the world who want to do terrible things to little girls. I worry about her going to school, playing outside or staying with a friend. You just never know where danger might be lurking.

Recently, we had the chance to host a  Because I Am A Girl party. This was a chance to not only celebrate being female, but to remember those that are not as fortunate as we are. Being born in a place like the United States comes with certain freedoms and choices that are not given to girls in other places. Something as simple as going to school or speaking your mind can get you punished or even killed in other places, for no other reason than being born female, yet it is something we do here by nature.

As much as I want to shelter my children from the harshness of the world, I know that they have to be prepared for what is facing them. People are not the same as when I was a child, or we are more aware of it now. We have watched the horrors that happen in other places, all from the safety of our country, but that doesn't mean we can ignore what goes on there. Being aware, and doing whatever we can to make a difference, is what makes us human.

The girls at our gathering were each given a lanyard with a carded photo of a girl attached at the end. The card gave the girls name, age and information of the girls. We took photos of the group and compared them to the ones they were given. I told the girls to look at how they dressed, if they seemed happy or what they noticed about them. Many of the girls pointed out the difference is clothing styles, hair and accessories. They noted that not all of the girls looked sad, but they didn't seem as lively or excited as they were used to.

We then compared what was the same. We discussed that even though they had differences, they were all the same because they are all girls. They all want to grow up and be something, they all have favorite foods or a special place they like to go. Each and every one of them has the chance to do so many things, but what those things are differ from place to place. Their lives will take very different routes and some of them are not happy ones.

Reality is just around the corner and we have to make our children aware of what happens to other people around the world. We have to teach them to care what goes on, not be blind to what lies beyond our line of sight.

*I was sent the supplies for this party as a member of My Gathering to help promote this cause. No other compensation was received and all thoughts and opinions are my own.