The Manitoba Home Builders' Association is celebrating 75 years.
Issue link: http://publications.winnipegfreepress.com/i/403768
5 U R E | S AT U R D AY, O C T O B E R 2 5 , 2 0 1 4 ���������������������� ������������������������ ���������������������� ����������������������������������������������� �������������������� ����� ��������������������� ������ ����������������������� ���� freethechildren.com/wecreatechange CommunityBeginsHere Ourstudentsmakeeveryday Ourstudentsmakeeveryday WEDay WEDaythroughtheirlearning, theirserviceworkandtheir theirserviceworkandtheir socialjusticeprojects. socialjusticeprojects. BAN BOSSY New public service campaign encourages leadership and achievement in girls By LeanIn.Org, the women's non-profit founded by Facebook COO Sheryl Sandberg W hen it comes to girls and ambition, the pattern is clear — girls are discouraged from leading. When a little boy asserts himself, he's called a "leader." Yet when a little girl does the same, she risks being branded "bossy" — a precursor to words like "aggressive," "angry" and "too ambitious" that plague strong female leaders. Calling girls bossy is one of many things we do to discourage them from leading. It's no wonder that by middle school, girls are less interested in leadership roles than boys, a trend that continues into adulthood. LeanIn.Org and Girl Scouts of the USA have launched Ban Bossy, a public service campaign to encourage leadership and achievement in girls. We've developed practical tips to help all young women flex their leadership muscles, in ways big and small. We know it's not always easy to raise your hand in class, speak up in support of your beliefs, or take the reins on a new project. But the leadership skills you'll gain in the process are the same ones you'll use throughout your life. The time to start building female leaders is now. We hope you'll join us to Ban Bossy — and tap into your own leadership potential along the way. 1. Speak up in class Raise your hand, even when you're not sure about the answer. It gives you the experience of thinking on your feet, debating with others, and wrestling with an idea — all crucial skills that you'll use in every area of your life. 2. Stop apologizing before you speak Pay attention to the little ways you might be making yourself smaller when you speak up in class, like introducing your opinion with an apology, saying you "kind of" think something, asking if what you just said "makes sense," or speaking so softly that no one can hear you. 3. Challenge yourself Playing it safe means you'll never have the exhilaration of overcoming an obstacle and proving to yourself (and others) that you're brave enough to try. Push yourself beyond your comfort zone. Take up a sport you've never played. Enrol in a class that no one would expect you to take. Take a small risk, like introducing yourself to someone you don't know. 4. Ask for help Don't be afraid to ask teachers, coaches or other adults you admire to talk with you about what you're passionate about. Ask them what they wish they'd known when they were your age. 5. Don't do everyone else's work When a group project member doesn't contribute well (or at all), it's easy just to do it yourself, but it can also leave you feeling resentful, carrying more of the workload, and not getting any of the credit. Address the problem directly by asking your classmate when she thinks she'll finish her tasks or ask a teacher for help. 6. Speak up in friendship We've probably all gossiped at one point or another, but if you always talk about your friends instead of to them, you miss the chance to practice speaking up to the people who matter most. Being direct is scary, but do it with care and you'll earn the respect and trust of those around you. 7. Trust your inner voice We all have a voice playing inside our heads — that voice is your gut. It's telling you what you genuinely think, need and want, so stay connected to it as much as you can. If you can't share that voice now, keep a journal where you can — and keep looking for the people who want to hear it. 8. Change the world You don't have to run the world to change it. What lights you up inside? What makes you feel outraged? Join a club, plan a flash mob, enter your crazy idea into the science fair. Whatever you decide, remember this — your voice is like no one else's, but we won't hear it if you don't use it. 9. Remember: It's not always easy to speak up, but it's worth it You're growing up in a world that's still confused about how powerful it wants girls to be. In fact, no matter how nicely you say something, there may be a person who thinks you're being mean. Trust your voice even when it feels like the world doesn't, and stay close to the friends and family members who celebrate your strength. 10. Practice! You've grown up practicing things like schoolwork, sports and music. But no one tells you to practice speaking up, taking risks or saying what you need. There's nothing in life that doesn't require practice, so work those muscles! It might be scary the first time, but it gets easier. "T he first time I entered an airplane, it was so scary," says Mama Leah. "But I found it exciting." It's Mama Leah's second visit to Toronto years, and she has travelled more than 12,000 kilometres from her home in Kenya to celebrate the Year Empowerment. She's only been here a week, but she's busy sampling new food, getting to know Free The Children and Me to We staff and planning trips to a local Ripley's Aquarium, and of course, the CN Tower. Mama Leah is also here to pass on a deeper message. coming days, she'll be visiting communities across Canada to share what empowerment means to her. Mama Leah's story starts in 2010, when she was one first women to join Me to We Artisans, a social enterprise that helps talented Kenyan women practice tradition of beading while earning a sustainable income for their work. Today, Me to We Artisans employs more than 1,000 women in 14 communities rural Kenya. she joined that first beading group nearly five ago, Mama Leah could never have imagined how program would grow, or what her life would be like At the time, she was living with her husband and young children in a hut made from mud and sticks. Leah loved beading, a Maasai tradition passed from her mother, and wanted to sell her beautiful at the local market. But many other women were to earn an income in the same way, which kept extremely low. Mama Leah spent her days collecting water from the river, looking after her children and caring for the family's herd of cows. The income she brought in from her beadwork was barely enough to feed her children, let alone pay their school fees. Today, things are different. "Empowerment is when you've been changed from one step to another," says Mama Leah. "Before, I was just a mama taking care of my animals. Now, I am a mama who is empowered. I can work for myself, I can depend on myself, and I can support my family." With her income from Me to We Artisans, Mama Leah built a new house with sturdy tin and brick to withstand Kenya's harsh rainy season. She's also been able to send all of her children to school. Mama Leah's two oldest sons are studying at university, her younger son is in high school and her daughter is in preschool. To Mama Leah, that's what Me to We Artisans is all about. Empowering not just herself, but also generations to come. And sharing the beauty of Maasai culture with the world. "I am a woman who is a leader," says Mama Leah. "I can do something for the mamas and my whole community." Me to We Artisans accessories are handmade by mamas in Kenya using traditions passed down through generations. Each woman is empowered to build her savings and do things she never would have believed possible: improve her home, buy food and medicine for her family, send her children to school and believe that her skills and voice have value. Facebook COO Sheryl Sandberg, founder of LeanIn.org, stands with high school girls posing the question: "What would you do if you weren't afraid?" "I am a woman who is a leader, I can do something for the mamas and my whole community." Mama Leah joins other mamas to bead Me to We Artisans accessories. Photo credit: Scott Ramsay Closeto1,900youngWinnipeggers gradedourcityinthe YouthVitalSignssurvey. Intheireyes,Winnipegis prettymiddleoftheroad. Whatdoyouthink? WANTTOKNOWWHAT YOUNGPEOPLE REALLYTHINK OFOURCITY? wpgfdn.org/YoungWinnipegConnect ReadthefullReportCardonlineandwhile you'reatit,signuptomakeadifference.