Education will provide you with a strong sense of purpose.
Dearest Thirteen-Year-Old Aelya, I almost didn’t write to you. Not because I didn’t think you’d benefit from a letter like this, but...
The world is your oyster
Dear Twelve-Year-Old Me, Thinking about your dreams is absolutely terrifying, especially when you’re not exactly sure what they are. The...
You are pretty
Dear Thirteen Year Old Me, You are pretty. Don’t make anyone tell you you’re not pretty. One thing – choose your friends wisely. It’s...
Find the love that is within you.
To My 13 Year Old Self, In order to find peace, joy and happiness within, you must first learn to love and accept YOU. You must find the...
Gender does not define you
In 2013, UNICEF published a comprehensive report about Female Genital Mutilation and Cutting (FGM/C). FGM/C, a cultural practice that...
Writing, global citizenship, and empowerment workshop at Fahari Academy
Today I had the privilege of leading an Advice Project Media writing, global citizenship and empowerment workshop for teen girls and...
Your mental health will falter, but you are "one powerhouse of a little girl."
Jenny, as a teen, right. Dear Jenny, Sometime in the future you will prefer to be called Jen, or Jennifer, but your family will still...
Bring back the color in your life with hope.
Colors, by Yuri Levchenko Dear 13-Year-Old Dawilda: I wish I could have been the person you needed at thirteen. Your real journey is only...
It's not your fault... You didn't deserve it.
I really, really, really like Dale. He’s cute, and adorable and sweet and his pimples only sometimes gross me out. The only problem is...
You will be fearless
Dear Shemena: When you are 44, you will be the kind of woman who drives a fast, black car with manual transmission. You’ll have long...
