Growing up in a Puerto Rican household with parents that stuck to their beliefs and the culture despite now being embedded in American culture, I often found myself questioning their tactics. There were plenty of double standards in our house in what I was allowed to do versus my two older brothers. For example, when I asked why they could go out with their friends at night and I could not, I was told it was because they were boys and I was a girl. I know my parents were only trying to protect their youngest and only daughter, but the double standards were infuriating at the time. (I don’t hold it against them now, by the way.)
Having a daughter of my own, I strive to stay away from such language and instead encourage her to try and be the best she can at whatever she does, just as I do with her younger brother. I show her things I’ve done and can do as a girl, so she sees she can do the same. (Example: I acquired a degree in Engineering, pushing past the fact that I was sometimes the only girl in my classes.) At nearly nine years of age, my girl has a dream of becoming the first female President, so I believe the message is being received – girls can!
CoverGirl and Walmart have teamed up to continue positive messages for girls and women through their #GirlsCan campaign. This campaign is all about empowering women and encouraging girls to turn “can’t” into “can” – isn’t that great? You’ll find specially marked packs of CoverGirl Flamed Out and CoverGirl Professional mascara on a #GirlsCan tower at your local Walmart, helping bring awareness to the #GirlsCan program and encouraging all women to share their own #GirlsCan story! Watch how a few of the CoverGirl spokeswomen shared their #GirlsCan stories in the video below:
To help empower women and provide them with the tools to turn their “can’t” into “can,” Walmart and CoverGirl are each donating $50,000 to the Dress for Success organization. Dress for Success is an international non-profit organization that helps disadvantaged women work towards self-sufficiency by providing professional attire, a support network, and career development tools.
Let’s applaud CoverGirl and Walmart in this effort of empowering women and support the #GirlsCan campaign through the purchase of the limited-edition #GirlsCan mascara packs, which you can find at your local Walmart. Also, by sharing your own #GirlsCan story, you’ll be supporting this initiative and helping raise awareness.
So, what is your #GirlsCan story? Share in the comments below and share via social media using the #GirlsCan hashtag!
All photos © Melanie Edwards/modernmami™
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