Every Girl’s Dream is Possible
I have dedicated my time to volunteering and supporting the success of others. Most recently, I spoke to middle school students about entrepreneurship. During my talk on How to Start a Business, I shared with 200 seventh graders the importance of following your passions and doing what you love. After the presentation, we had a Q&A session where students asked insightful questions. As I was packing up my laptop, one question stayed with me from a girl in the audience. She asked, "My dream is to work for Disney, but everyone says it's impossible. Do you think it's an impossible dream?"
The question caught me off guard, stirring up emotions within me. As I answered the inquiring seventh grader, I emphasized the importance of never letting anyone get in the way of her dreams. I urged her to pursue her passions and follow her heart, reminding her to believe in herself because she can turn her dreams into reality.
When she referred to "everyone," I couldn't help but wonder who exactly was standing in her way.
Would a young boy have encountered the same obstacles if his dream was to work for Disney?
As parents and mentors, we are responsible for encouraging every young student to pursue their passions and supporting them, regardless of their aspirations. A conversation with my best friend in ninth grade stuck with me. He was a more diligent student than I was, and one day, as we walked to school by the harbor, he said, "You're going to fail." While he studied every subject hard, I had different didn't study habits. However, I used this idea of failure later in life as motivation to overcome any challenge that came my way.
My daughter dreams of becoming a professional artist and selling her unique creations to those who appreciate her talent and perspective—my stepdaughter dreams of someday owning a salon. I've never discouraged them from pursuing these paths. I have supported and encouraged them every step of the way, urging them to follow their passions and chase their dreams. It baffles me why some individuals feel the need to crush the aspirations of others. Every person's dream is within reach if they are determined to make it a reality.
It is unfortunately common in our society for parents to feel the need to micromanage their children's lives and push them onto a predetermined path. However, if you have researched, you will recognize that women are often more effective leaders than men. Despite progress made, there are still companies and leaders who hinder women from reaching their full potential. It is crucial to uplift and encourage the success of all individuals, regardless of age, gender, or race. Let's not stand in the way of the dreams of others because every girl's dream is possible.
Our society must shift towards one that values, respects, and celebrates women just as much as men.