I just finished writing the script for our latest News Roundup. While writing, it struck me how incredibly lucky I am to be working for Girl Museum – and also how girls around the world are so inspiring and amazing.
When I began this project a year ago, I had no idea how much girl-related news there was in the world. In the beginning, it didn’t seem like much. It was almost heartbreaking. But as the months went on, the amount of stories kept growing and growing. There are still the heartbreaking ones – where I have to record and re-record to keep from muffling my words with tears. But there are also ones that make me so incredibly proud to share with you.
2014 was, for me and for the world, transformative. It brought global attention to the issues of child and girls’ rights. Voices across the globe stood up and said, ‚ÄúNo, we will not stand by and watch. We can and will change the status quo to make a world of equality and opportunity for all.‚Äù Girls around the world are standing up for their rights, and the world is answering with renewed strength against the forces of oppression and injustice.
Personally, 2014 was also a journey in which I found my voice. I had recently escaped an abusive and life-threatening relationship. I was in a very dark and hopeless place in my life, but blessed with the love and support of family and friends. It was through their efforts that I began to see my own potential again – to remember who I was, recognize what I was capable of, and stand up for myself.
It was also through Girl Museum that I found my voice – somewhere to inspire, to educate, and to advocate for girls and for a better future for everyone. A place that used my skills to their fullest potential, and helped me realize that even here – sitting at my computer, in my dining room, with my fuzzy slippers on – I had a voice that could transform the world.
I may still be recovering, but I am also strong and passionate and so incredibly blessed to be a part of this community. The world also still has a long way to go before we eradicate the darkness, but I can see that change is rapidly happening.
2015 is going to be a year of amazing things – both in our upcoming projects and, I believe, for girl-related news. Even now, I can barely contain my excitement at how much news – especially how much positive news – there is this past month alone.
If January is any indication, you’re about to see some really amazing things happen in the world. We’re not just transforming the future for girls; we’re creating a better world for everyone.
So if you do anything after reading this post, I hope you become an active voice. Get out there – learn more, sign petitions, volunteer, talk to friends and family, write blogs, and become an advocate for the things that you believe in and the world that you’d like to live in.
Because if there’s anything I’ve learned from all the girls that I’ve read about and met during this journey, it’s that when we band together – when our voices come together and believe in ourselves– we can achieve truly incredible things.
Here’s to an incredible 2015 – and I’ll see you in next month’s news. Cheers!
-Tiffany Rhoades
Program Developer
Girl Museum Inc.