Dear Journal,
There's a children's book I love called, What Do You Do with an Idea? by Kobi Yamada. It tells the story of a little boy who one day comes up with an idea. He likes his idea, but then worries what other people will think of it. At first, he tries to leave it alone, but the idea follows him; and then he starts to really enjoy being with it, as it makes him happier and more alive.
"I don't know how to describe it, but it went from being here to being everywhere. It wasn't just a part of me anymore...it was now a part of everything..."
As soon as I read this, I finally felt like someone understood my experience with Girl Talk. I didn't realize that this little idea I dreamed as a junior in college would completely change my life.
Girl Talk began as a simple idea: sharing personal stories to let girls know that they were not alone. It then grew from a room of forty college girls eating brownies and talking about guys, to a campus-wide program inspiring self-confidence among women, to a non-profit organization. (Super cool stuff!!) We currently serve college women through The Girl Talk Institute, and are beginning to spread the Girl Talk message of sisterhood and self-worth to high school students. As I read in What Do You Do with an Idea? Girl Talk seemed to go from being "here" to being "everywhere."
My little idea has grown in many ways over the past few years. I've met incredible mentors and cheerleaders along my journey, have heard countless inspirational stories from women in high school, college, and beyond, and have been so fortunate to assemble an amazing team around me. I'm so grateful for the gift of my Girl Talk idea.
"I couldn't imagine my life without it."
Yours,
Julie
