This post has been compensated by North East Ohio Girl Scouts. All opinions are 100% my own.

I will #banbossy

At my mom’s retirement party a few years ago I had a chance to see the impact that she had on women all over the NASA Glenn Research Center…people came in and talked about the force she was in her position of the Director of Diversity and Equal Opportunity. You see my mom put in hard work to get to the position she was in before she retired. She started at NASA as a Co-op Student (College Student) in a secretarial position…and worked her way up; the family often joked that when she retired she was the Boss! During the retirement celebrations one of the common things we heard about my mom is that she encouraged you to go for what you want (especially if you are a woman), and don’t let anyone tell you no you cant do something because you are a woman…prove them wrong!

The Girl Scouts of USA are a proud partner with LeanIn.Org for  a public service campaign Ban Bossy! The campaigns mission is to help girls flex their leadership muscles!  When our girls are called Bossy it is perceived with a negative connotation. However, our girls have every right to be assertive and speak their minds…and ultimately be themselves!!!

Sitting there listening to the women come in and say that my mom helped them to find their “Voice” made me extremely proud…and during the celebration I knew my sister and I had some big shoes to fill in our own careers and with our daughters. Even now watching my mother work in church, she is always encouraging the women of the church to reach their full potential and not let others or circumstances stop you!

Now that Emma is 4-years old and going into Pre-K, and at the end of last year I saw a change in her attitude. I noticed that she was no longer the quiet Emma; she knew she had a voice and even though she is working with some speech delays it doesn’t stop her! She has made some great strides this past school year as well as this summer.

And as her mom I am doing everything I can to show her to continue with that voice!!!

I remember being in school and not wanting to answer questions or being afraid to stand up for something I believed in but now that I am older I know the importance of using that voice! It actually took me to become a mom to find that voice…

I can’t wait to explain to her how Mommy started her own business of writing a blogging while she was in college, and how even when times got hard or didn’t necessarily work out the way I planned; I never gave up. I was working for an online publication and I decided I wanted to have my own publication (so I went for it)…I have received positive and negative feedback on my blog and from my readers, however, I kept going and that is something I want her to do KEEP GOING!!! Be a leader in everything you do and don’t let anyone call you Bossy for wanting follow your dreams!!

Be a Leader in all Aspects of Life!!

“When a little boy asserts himself, he’s called a “leader.” Yet when a little girl does the same, she risks being branded “bossy.” Words like bossy send a message: don’t raise your hand or speak up. By middle school, girls are less interested in leading than boys—a trend that continues into adulthood. Together we can encourage girls to lead.”

Today, I encourage you to BAN BOSSY!

Just like my mom encourages my sister and I on a daily basis to stand up for ourselves, what we believe in and for our dreams I plan to do the same for my daughter! I love the way Beyonce put it “I’m not bossy. I’m the Boss“…I think this is actually a motto/affirmation that I will write down and refer back to when I need encouragement!

As women we need to motivate each other to be leaders!!!

Raise a Boss!!

Download Ban Bossy Leadership Tips for Parents and Girls…Click the Links Below!

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I will #banbossy

Girl Scouts of North East Ohio is an organization of approximately 30,000 girls, and believes girls can change the world.

Girl Scouts began over 100 years ago with one woman, Girl Scouts’ founder Juliette Gordon “Daisy” Low, who believed in the power of every girl. She organized the first Girl Scout troop on March 12, 1912, in Savannah, Georgia, and every year since, we’ve made her vision a reality, helping girls discover their strengths, passions, and talents.

Today, as yesterday, Girl Scouts of North East Ohio continue the Girl Scout mission of building girls of courage, confidence, and character who make the world a better place. They’re the preeminent leadership development organization for girls. With Girl Scouts, girls can find they can do something amazing.

It’s never too late to join. Find a troop today at gsneo.org/mom.