“EmPOWERed and On Purpose”: Celebrating 15 Years of Impact

Posted on by empoweredflowergirl

This month marks a powerful milestone for Empowered Flower Girl — our 15-year anniversary! July has always held special meaning for me. Not only is it my birthday month, but it’s also the month I officially launched Empowered Flower Girl with a mission to transform the way young people relate to themselves and each other.

After what I’ve come to recognize as my year of completion — a year filled with growth and healing — this new season feels especially aligned and filled with possibility. I’m stepping boldly into this chapter with renewed purpose and vision.

I’m honored to have recently shared my founder story, “EmPOWERed and On Purpose,” in the July edition of She Wins Magazine. I want to thank Hanna Olivas and Adriana Luna of She Rises Studios for providing such an inspiring platform for women to share their stories. Their commitment to uplifting women through powerful, purpose-driven publications is something I deeply admire.

As we celebrate 15 years of empowering youth, championing sisterhood, and helping individuals and organizations make a difference in their communities, I’m filled with gratitude. This journey has been nothing short of POWERful.

Thank you for your support and positive energy.

Sincerely,

Rasheda Kamaria Williams

Founder & Chief Empowering Officer

Empowered Flower Girl

Empowered Flower Girl celebrates 6 years of Service

Posted on by empoweredflowergirl
EFG Impact
In 2010, Empowered Flower Girl was launched on a dream and with help from family and friends.
We hosted our first Chica Chat workshop at the University of Michigan in 2011 after being featured in Cosmopolitan magazine.
Since then, we’ve grown to reach approximately 1,300 students, parents and educators with our workshops and programs.
Thanks to all of our friends, fans and supporters for helping us in our mission to transform the way young people relate to one another. We look forward to growing our reach and impact over the next six years and beyond.

It’s our anniversary and to celebrate, we’re hosting a contest starting July 20, 2016.

In anticipation of our forthcoming book, “Be EmPOWERed: How to Live Above & Beyond Life’s Drama,” we’d like to hear from you.
In 50 words or less, tell us what it means to live powerfully.
One entry will be selected and featured in an upcoming edition of the “Be EmPOWERed” newsletter and will receive a signed copy of the book once it’s published. The contest is open to anyone in the U.S. ages 13 and older.
 
 
Check our social media channels next week for more information. 

Life After Bullying

Posted on by empoweredflowergirl

Growing up, I was creative, social, mature and kind. Those were the adjectives I preferred to use to describe myself. But a group of kids in my class had a few other monikers in mind for me – weird, nerd, wannbe, Oreo and teacher’s pet.

I was teased, bullied and harassed almost daily from seventh to eighth grade.

In 2011 – five years ago this month – Cosmopolitan magazine published my story in the article “Being Bullied Changed My Life.” The article focused on women who were bullied as teens – before the digital age – and how the constant taunting impacted their lives both negatively and positively.

I shared my journey from excluded to empowered and the steps I took to overcome the drama.

After the story was published, I received emails and instant messages commending me for my courage. Empowered Flower Girl even gained 100+ Facebook fans/followers as a result.

I’m grateful for the opportunity to have shared my story publicly and encourage any who has overcome a challenge, obstacle or hardship to do the same. You never know whose life you might change or even save as a result.