Strong Girls, Strong World

Posted on 23 May, 2015

One of the times in my life as a parent when I’ve felt most ‘wobbly’ was when my eldest was in Year Six. We had a lot of things going on at home — big changes — like her dad moving interstate and me having a new baby from my second marriage. She was a ‘big fish in a small pond’ about to be plunged into a big pond as a small fish for high school.

The bathroom became a mess. Her bedroom started to become her sanctuary in a way that it never had in previous years. I was attending parent seminars on how to handle cyber safety and bullying and body image and peer pressure and substances and academic pressure and thinking “Are we going to survive the teen years?”

Little did I know how proud I would become of the young woman she grew into. Little did I know how much she’d have to face. That in three or four years’ time she’d prove to be the strongest of friends at the darkest of times. That she’d show courage and intelligence and judgement I ought to have given her credit for in advance.

I’m a total convert about teenagers. They’re wonderful. Their energy and passion and humour can light your life (and makes the odd slammed door worth enduring). Everywhere I look, I see bright young women and men who it’s a privilege to know. They’re inspiring…

And 12-year-old Claire Falls, not yet a teen but wise beyond her years, is yet another strong example.

Diagnosed in 2013 with low vision, she began advocating for equality and inclusion for everyone in the sport she loves — football. She founded a not-for-profit organisation F.E.V.E.R. Football for EVERYone.

Claire has lobbied politicians, spoken in front of 200 CEOs and heads of sporting organisations about inclusion, helped raise thousands of dollars for the Pararoos after their funding was cut and won an Emerging Young Leader award at the ACT Chief Minister’s Inclusion Awards (despite this normally being reserved for 16-30 year olds).

Her current mission is to empower other young girls her age and older through an upcoming event that she is hosting with motivational-speaker Julie Cross — Strong Girls! Strong World! (held on 1 June at QT Canberra).

Julie and Claire are concerned about the same things I was: depression, anxiety, bullying, eating disorders, peer pressure, body image… They’re worried about the constant marketing messages of “not being good enough” unless we wear these clothes, have this size body, have hair like this, hang out in this crowd…

They’re concerned that our self-esteem as women and girls is being eroded. That we’re placing more value in ‘stuff’ and in other people’s opinions of ourselves than our own opinions.

So they’ll be sharing their tips for falling in love with ourselves again, rediscovering confidence and resilience and moving through fear towards our best and brightest lives.

Claire will be joined by Prime7’s Natalie Forrest at Strong Girls, Strong World.

Joined by an impressive panel of experts, including Dr Bridie O’Donnell, Heather Reid AM and Natalie Forrest, the event has been shaped to inspire girls and women from 12 years and up.

Claire herself says it best.

“When you see someone standing on the outside of your community’s boundaries, go to them; involve them, include, encourage, respect and empower them. When you see a wrong in your world, demand change. Don’t just see what needs to change. BE THAT CHANGE.”

The essentials

What: Strong Girls! Strong World!
When: Monday 1st June 2015
What time: 7pm-9pm
Where: QT Canberra, 1 London Circuit
Cost: $40 per person
Phone: 0414 451 512 or email julie@juliecross.com.au
Website: www.juliecross.com.au