No young woman emerges from adolescence unscathed. It’s hard to look past the constant stream of media telling you who to be, how to act, and what to look like.
Often, the messages lead to one conclusion: I am not good enough. As a result, women grow into adulthood with limited visions of their identity, value and abilities.
Now women are taking their power back through a new YouTube campaign called #DearMe. YouTube has asked women to create short videos answering the question:
If you could go back in time, what wisdom would you share with your teenage self?”
The campaign was launched in celebration of International Women’s Day. In a blog post, Cathy Tang, marketing manager for YouTube states that the campaign was formed with similar goals as #ItGetsBetter. “… We’ve seen our community inspire and empower those in need of encouragement. Today, we’re asking you to do the same for girls who don’t have to face their problems alone,” she writes.
Millions of women already have participated in this global campaign. First lady Michelle Obama released a #DearMe video on Thursday. New York political figures also have taped special messages to their younger selves, including first lady of New York, Chirlane McCray. Other women have created videos, including YouTube stars such as Laci Green, Hannah Hart and Grace Helbig. Three senior citizens in Seattle also have created videos. So what would you tell your younger self?
Here is a sample of a few favorites:
First lady Michelle Obama
WWE’s Stephanie McMahon
Gigi Chao, LGBT activist from Hong Kong
So what would you tell your younger self?
