The Girl On Fire

Today, I ask that you bare with me as I attempt to connect the dots on several thoughts/events/concepts.

I'm sure you've all experienced this same phenomenon. When one event relates in some way to another, and another, then reminds you of something completely different, but relevant, and before you know it your mind has just connected 5, 6, or 7 events in the span of 3 seconds? And the worst part is you realize it all makes sense in your own mind, but you don't dare share this series of events out loud? Anyone? Perhaps not, but often something will spark a domino effect in my subconscious and the next thing I know I went from thinking about the Hunger Games to women embracing their leadership power. Here is how I got from A to Z.

Let's start with a quick prelude. (commence nerd alert here)

I recently finished reading the Hunger Games series, and can I just say, I AM SO EXCITED FOR THE PREMIERE TODAY!!! One of the most powerful images that stuck in my mind after reading the series was that of fire:

This theme, of fire, is used  throughout all three books; The theme of a book is a universal idea or message that stretches through an entire story. Mostly this theme relates to the protagonist, Katniss Everdeen.

Book One, The Hunger Games: Katniss is given the name, The Girl On Fire base on her ceremonial costume.

Book Two, Catching Fire: Katniss is dressed in a gown that glows like fire embers. 

Book Three, The Mockingjay: There are multiple uses of fire in this book. The most significant in my mind is how fire is used to fight fire. 

I would hate to spoil the books for those of you who have not read them, but plan to. So, I apologize for the vague/broad references and hope you get the gist.

With all of the above in mind, this video is what sparked my domino effect "daydream" if you will.

 

 

1. Katniss Everdeen - costumed in an outfit, on fire. Chosen to make an impression.
2. Katniss Everdeen - second book - wearing a dress perfectly crafted to resemble red hot embers, the kind that will catch fire at any moment. An outfit that, to me, boldly stated watch out.
3. An article I read recently - "For the past decade I have been watching women learn to collaborate and support each other in a way they have never done before -- it is revolutionary. Like smoldering coals, their behind-the-scenes work is ready to catch fire. At all levels we will see women taking their place as leaders, within organizations, as entrepreneurs, in politics. As they transform the nature of power, they transform the nature of leadership." -Birute Regine, Hoffington Post
4. I am a girl ready to catch fire. Driven by my passion to lead others and by my desire to connect generations of women to share stories, experiences, and inspire one another to be better, work harder, dream bigger. I myself will experience a transformation, and pass it along.
5. 2012 is being called The Year of the Woman. Women will ignite their fire and fully embrace their power, transforming societies traditional perceptions of power from the power over, into the power to. Women have the power to light a fire that will most certainly catch on and spread like wild. I plan to be the spark that leaps ahead spreading the movement further and further.
6. As I head into competition this weekend, I am competing for a local NY title within the Miss America Scholarship Organization, I will ignite my passion. I have spent years powering my potential, and when I step on stage my confidence, authenticity, and resilience, will shine through and I will be The Girl On Fire.

....and if you're interested, here is an additional Hunger Games trailer -->

HAPPY HUNGER GAMES!

Julia Nunes - Hey, I Know Her!

This morning, Wednesday, March 21st started off as a typical morning. I arrived at the Forbes office promptly at 9:00am, bought myself a small coffee and a piece of toast (best. bread. ever. full of grains and seeds) topped with peanut butter, checked my email and opened up Forbes.com for my daily digest of current stories, events, etc. Per usual I navigated to the ForbesWoman page and, HOLD UP... Julia Nunes!? Wait, Julia Nunes?? YUP. There she was, her picture staring straight at me, accompanied by an article titled, Meet Julia Nunes, YouTube's Ukulele Queen. To which my reaction was, out loud, "Hey, I Know Her! It's Dulia!" (sorry for using your nickname at the office DuFace!)

The ForbesWoman article --> Meet Julia Nunes, YouTube's Ukulele Queen

Which features this video -->

The article covers Julia's latest tour to promote the release of her fifth album, Settle Down! While reading the article, the following excerpt blew me away.

"Unlike previous recordings that were paid for entirely out of pocket, Nunes turned to Kickstarter to fund this effort. And her fans responded in droves -  her original funding goal was $15 000, but the final donation tally was almost $78 o00, cracking the top five of most-funded Kickstarter music projects on record."

No Big Deal.

On a more personal note, Julia is not only an amazing musician, she is a wonderful friend. Most recently Julia and I got together for an impromptu date night, which included sushi, catching up on life, stories from high school, and lots and lots of laughing. Everyone needs a friend who can make them laugh, and that girl is Julia. To me she is a perfect example of powering one's potential. She has a true passion, she stuck to her guns and pushed forward as young entrepreneur.

The results? 

200,000 subscribers on YouTube

90 videos with over 50,000,000 views

Performed on Conan (barefoot. Yes, sans shoes.)

Toured with multiple artists, including Ben Folds

Has 5 albums on the market - Amazon & YouTube

and much much more...

Julia, congratulations on all you have accomplished! You are a tremendous example to young women, and men, on how if you stay true to your values and pursue your passion with authenticity, you can achieve above and beyond the goals that you set... and reach your dreams.

 

Connect with Julia here:

Julia's Official Website

YouTube Channel - Jaaaaaaa

Twitter

Facebook

Girls Can't Be What They Can't See

 

Sofia, like many others, recognizes that today's girls are free to lead tomorrow's boardrooms and courthouses, and run our today's girls are free to lead tomorrow's boardrooms and courthouses, and run our hospitals and technology start-ups. It is up to young women to take full advantage of these growing opportunities and embrace whatever leadership role they are capable of having. But something is seriously stopping girls from moving forward. While research reveals that girls idealize leadership qualities and skills, only 21% of girls believe they have the qualities required to be a good leader. In other words, she knows what it takes to lead but doesn't have the confidence to do so. So what is happening? She is lacking positive role models and mentors. She is confronted by unhealthy images of female beauty. She is held back by the jealous bullying from peers. If these situations go unchecked, millions of girls will never realize their full leadership potential.  Years of progress made towards women’s empowerment will be lost. 

TOGETHERTHERE, an organization created though the Girl Scouts of the USA, is one that my personal platform aligns very closely with. Thus, I'd like to take this time to share with you my platform statement, which essentially outlines the role I plan to take as an advocate of the movement toward making 2012 the year of the girl.

Girls can't be what they can't see. However, when exposed to empowerment messages, along with strong female role models and tools for personal and professional growth, they are not only more likely to realize their full potential; they are ultimately more likely to transform our culture for the betterment of all women, which has a global impact.

My mission is to set in motion a generational transformation. First, generations of women must come together and form mentorships, sponsorships, networks, and positive relationships. From the young girls in grade school who are just discovering their potential, to the young ladies in universities and entering the workforce who are beginning to apply their potential, to the women who have mastered their craft and hold positions of power, we all have something to learn from one another. In addition, the kind of social change this movement will effect requires everyone, women and men, to work together to create a world that offers gender-balanced leadership opportunities. It is essential to engage both genders and help everyone to understand that we all have an important role to play in this movement.

This isn’t about girls succeeding over boys or women over men. It’s about empowering qualified individuals to take their place at the top. My goal is to give momentum to this movement. To do so, I will personally lend my story of overcoming obstacles, staying true to my values and discovering the power of my potential. I have the passion and the power to effect change in the lives of others, and it is my dream and desire to do this across New York State, across the nation, and eventually world-wide. 

I first discovered I had the ability to lead in high school as a Leadership Asset Training Ambassador for my peers. I developed those leadership skills as the founder of Women in Business, as a freshman in college. Today, as a young professional in partnership with organizations like TOGERHERTHERE, I will engage girls and young women in actively pursuing their passions and discovering their full potential.

What role do you plan to play?

TAKE THE PLEDGE, GET INVOLVED!

For current events, projects, initiatives and more, check out these Twitter accounts:

@CallMeHez 

@ToGetHerThere 

@UNYouth

@GirlUp

@SeeJaneDo

@WomenYSK

@CatalystInc