If born a girl
in today’s world,
extra pressure
may be your toil.
Not quite as valued,
somehow less than,
a grim reminder
to stay vigilant.
Keep your head,
be heedful of those
who will try to
demean you
and keep you
downtrodden.
Stay in school;
be a good girl.
Education is
freedom
from many
world woes.
And as you
grow stronger
and can see
what is healing,
spread the word
among others like you.
The power is yours
to be a strong vortex.
Women carry strength
for nurturing and care
but also for perseverance
against prevailing
crosswinds.
The families’ core
is a woman’s heart.
Have pride
in yourself;
take good care.
And if you should
falter and ask
what’s the use,
just think of me
and the millions alike
who carry you close in our
collective hearts.
Support The Girl Effect: http://www.girleffect.org/
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- Violence is Never Justified, Never! My One World Initiative -The Girl Effect (positiveprovocations.com)
- doing something more (mrshutchison.wordpress.com)
Bodhirose's Blog 
Madeleine Begun Kane
/ October 3, 2011Excellent, and so true!
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Bodhirose
/ October 3, 2011Thanks, Madeleine–yes!
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Jamie Dedes
/ October 3, 2011Honest feeling and wise advice. Nicely executed, Gayle.
Thanks for participating.
Hugs! 😉
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Bodhirose
/ October 3, 2011Thank you, Jamie–I wouldn’t miss it.
Did you sign up for The Girl Effect on Facebook? They’re on there.
Hugs… xoxo
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Jamie Dedes
/ October 3, 2011Posting link to Twitter.
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Bodhirose
/ October 3, 2011Thank you.
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Lorna's Voice
/ October 3, 2011Too many young women think that discrimination against women is a thing of the past. How wrong they are. Your poem should be mandatory reading for all females, young and old, as a reminder to stay vigilant. What few gains were made in women’s rights are tenuous and we all need to safeguard our right to be treated fairly and equally, regardless of sex or any other classification.
Do I sound like a sociologist, or what?! 😉
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Bodhirose
/ October 3, 2011You’re so right, Lorna, they’re very wrong. As soon as I heard about this campaign, I was on board! I think the cultivation of girls’ self-esteem should start at a very young age–the sooner the better–across the globe.
Thank you, for that vote of confidence with my poem as mandatory reading! Maybe I should have been a sociologist too! 😉
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lolamouse
/ October 3, 2011You’ve written a great poem! And thank you for making me aware of thegirleffect.org.
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Bodhirose
/ October 3, 2011I really appreciate that and I’m so glad you’re interested in The Girl Effect! xoxo
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Life: Between the lines
/ October 3, 2011AWESOME, STRONG WRITE!!!!! 🙂
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Bodhirose
/ October 3, 2011Thanks so much–I love what you did too! I especially love what your two, sweet daughters contributed. I have two daughters too–it made me think of them when they were young girls. Precious girls–all of them!
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fallenelegy
/ October 4, 2011beautiful writing. that is all i can say.
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Bodhirose
/ October 4, 2011You are so kind. Thank you.
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Jamie Dedes
/ October 4, 2011Good Morning, Gayle!
Thanks again for doing this. Just a reminder to link your poem in here:
http://www.taramohr.com/girleffectposts/
Happy day…
Jamie xo
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Bodhirose
/ October 4, 2011Thanks for this, Jamie. I’m signed up!
Love and hugs…
Gayle
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S Basu
/ October 4, 2011what a soothing poem gayle. very beautiful suggestions for any/every girl. 🙂
i am about to join you in this. will post a poem in my blog ASAP.
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Bodhirose
/ October 4, 2011Thanks so much, Trisha and am very glad to know you are joining in the campaign.
If you would like, you can link your posting to the link above that Jamie left in her comment to me. It’s right above your comment here.
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Sharmishtha
/ October 5, 2011I saw it, and checked the blog too. i believe we women should be more sincere about this, and not only through words but sincere actions.
in my country we hear a lot of slogans but when it comes to actual practicing it vanishes.
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Bodhirose
/ October 5, 2011You are so right–like they say, “actions speak louder than words.”
We are taking action by writing something, posting it and sharing it with the world. I have talked to several people about The Girl Effect too–spreading the word!
I knew you would be interested in this.
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liv2write2day
/ October 5, 2011I’m listening to a college course (on CD) on World Mythology. Very interesting how the goddess image has been diminished over the ages. What strikes me is that perhaps fear of women is behind much of it.
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Bodhirose
/ October 5, 2011You know the same thought has crossed my mind, Victoria–the aggressive action of bringing women down is fear based. It’s pretty apparent to me.
Thanks for sharing that with me.
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Tincup
/ October 5, 2011If I were a little five year old girl…I would be thankful that you were my mother.
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Bodhirose
/ October 8, 2011What a nice thing to say! Thanks so much for that, Tincup. Well, I actually did raise two girls and I must say, they grew up to be pretty good citizens of the world.
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S Basu
/ October 8, 2011would you mind if i use the url of this post in my post?
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Bodhirose
/ October 8, 2011No, I wouldn’t mind at all, Trisha. I was out all day today so am sorry if you’ve been waiting for a response from me. Please help yourself to whatever you would like. 🙂
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S Basu
/ October 9, 2011thanks a million times.
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fiveloaf
/ October 8, 2011i suppose this apply to any readers albeit gal or boy! great advice and smooth writing gayle and tq for coming by!
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Bodhirose
/ October 10, 2011Yes, boys need to support the girl effect too–it helps everyone. Your comments mean a lot, Kris–thank you very much.
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Bodhirose
/ October 10, 2011Thanks, Arianna!
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