FIRST THOUGHT: A Whole New World for Girls

Have you felt overwhelmed lately? If you’re trying to build a strong launch for your brand, you might feel the need to stay up to date on social media, read blog posts written by colleagues in your industry, reply to emails as fast as possible and so on. How do you determine which sources are reliable? How do you figure out when to take a break from it all when, as an adult, it’s hard to take breaks because you’re always plugged in? It’s a lot to take in as a grown woman, but imagine what it would be like to be a girl in this tech age.

WOMEN IN NUMBERS: 23 Percent

I’m throwing a bunch of questions at you, but it’s because the idea of going back to being a teenager, except with a constantly buzzing smartphone, is a terrifying one to me. Part of this overwhelming feeling might contribute to the following surprising stat. According to a research study titled “Leaning Out: Teen Girls and Leadership Biases,” nearly a quarter of teenage girls—23 percent—say they prefer male political leaders versus female leaders. That said, 69 percent of teenage girls say they have no preference.

WOMAN TO WATCH: Erin Bried, Founder and Editor-in-Chief of Kazoo Magazine

It’s tough stuff to try to figure out who you and who your role models are at a young age, but one thing’s for sure: Seeing female leaders in any industry helps shape who you are and become. Erin Bried highlights this idea in her Kazoo magazine, a print publication girls ages 5 to 10 can toss in their backpacks, hold in their hands and read on the bus.

Erin’s been a female leader in the publishing industry for quite some time. As a writer and editor of a variety of publications in the United States, Erin knows how to effectively speak one on one to readers. She’s also written three books, including How to Sew a Button: And Other Nifty Things Your Grandmother Knew, which teaches readers how to be more independent.

Erin is head boss lady at Kazoo, which buzzed onto the scene with the help of crowdfunding organization Kickstarter. Thirty days after getting a fund started, Kazoo became the most successful journalism campaign in Kickstarter history. Erin fine-tuned her pitch, creating a magazine that doesn’t tell girls how to act or look, but rather, how to be fierce and true to themselves. Now that’s a message a young girl can get behind, and certainly one that’d set her up for success and contentment as a grown-up. The stellar, thoughtful content even resulted in a nomination for the 2017 National Magazine Award.

Kazoo is a solid read for girls aged 7 and women aged 37 alike. It houses plenty of inspirational stuff about female explorers, chefs and more, as well as fun activities like solving secret codes and mazes. You never know what you’re going to learn when you open Kazoo’s pages, but you might just end up learning how to plié from a top ballerina or how to cope better with strong emotions.

Erin hopes that by featuring female role models in the magazine, young readers will feel inspired about all the personal and professional possibilities they can take advantage of now and in their futures.

QUITE THE QUOTE

Erin Bried is an inspiration to plenty of girls and women. After gaining plenty of experience, she pursued an idea true to her heart that’s since resonated with girls the world over. As Gertrude Stein said:

“You are extraordinary within your limits, but your limits are extraordinary!”

This is Melinda Garvey signing off until next time. Remember, ladies, empowered women empower other women. Share On the Dot so more women can have a voice. Thanks for getting ready with us.

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