Hillary Carlip - Girl Power: Young Women Speak Out!

Copyright 1995 by Hillary Carlip

All rights reserved.

Grateful acknowledgment is made to Red Crane Books for permission to reprint an excerpt from the previously published Workingin the Dark: Reflection of a Poet of the Barrio

1992 by Jimmy Santiago Baca.

Warner Books, Inc.

Hachette Book Group

237 Park Avenue

New York, NY 10017

Visit our website at www.HachetteBookGroup.com

First eBook Edition: October 2009

ISBN: 978-0-446-56753-4

AN ENLIGHTENING READLIKE TAKING A PEEK AT THE COLLECTIVE DIARY OF TODAYS AMERICAN TEENAGE GIRLS. GIRL POWER will be a comforting and vital revelation: whether a cowgirl in Nevada, a homegirl in L.A., or a sorority girl in South Carolina, all girls coming of age wrestle with the same issues and share what Hillary Carlip calls the universal desire for love, acceptance, and a sense of belonging.

Jacqueline Shannon, author of Why Its Great to Be a Girl

STIRRING WE ALL NEED SOMEONE TO HEAR US WHEN WE SHOUT, TO ENCOURAGE US WHEN WE SING. What is remarkable about GIRL POWER is not only the fierce music of many voices but the way in which Hillary Carlip creates a place of trust and love in which they can resonate.

Francesca Lia Block, author of Weetzie Bat and Witch Baby

THIS ROOK GIVES US A CHANCE TO HEAR THE VOICES OF GIRLS WHO ALL TOO OFTEN LIVE THEIR LIVES ON THE REMOTEST CORNERS OF THE MINDS.

Judy Mann, author of The Difference:
Growing Up Female in America

STUNNING A DEEPLY MOVING AND OFTEN HAUNTING ACCOUNT OF ADOLESCENCE.

Connie Claser, co-author of Swim with the Dolphins

WHAT A MAGNIFICENT AND IMPORTANT BOOK FOR WOMEN AND MEN ALIKE. There are very few opportunities to get an intimate view into the minds and hearts of todays young women. I discovered a clearer awareness of myself, and deeper appreciation for all women, with the turn of each page of GIRL POWER.

Jennifer Aniston, actress, Friends

HILLARY CARUP REACHES INTO THE AWKWARD TIME OF A GIRLS LIFE AND BARES IT ALL, UNEDITED. No longer hushed and behind closed doors, she gives young women from all walks of life an opportunity to speak about dreams, joys, the sadness and horrors of their worlds. This book is sure to be a beacon in the darkness for those who feel that they are alone.

Melissa Etheridge

To Fanny

A zillion thanks to my loved ones whose endless support I cherish, and whose contributions to my life, in so many ways, havehelped me to realize this book, especially Miriam and Bob (wish you were here!) Carlip and Maxine Lapiduss.

A trillion thanks to Nanielle Devereaux for all her assistanceher brilliant offerings, insight and input.

Also to my circle of amazing muses and angels, all incredibly talented and inspiring in their own art. Their presence and/orfeedback has contributed much to Girl PowerKatie Ford, Miriam Eichler Rivas, Danielle Eskinazi, Francesca Lia Block, Leni Schwendinger, Jessie Cookie Nelson, WendyMelvoin, Lisa Coleman and Leigh-Kilton Smith (assistant, researcher and schemestress extraordinaire!).

A bazillion thanks to my editor Anne Hamilton, whose belief in Girl Power, ongoing encouragement, and input were invaluable.

A billion thanks to my agents Julie Fallowfield and Louise Quayle for their faith in me from the start, and their constantly inspired ideas.

A million thanks to all those who especially went out of their way to help make it happen: Sam Christensen, Ken Cortland,Howard Carlip, Sally Lapiduss, Jackie Nadler, Libby Applebaum, Teresa Jordan, Ann Block, Diane Krausz, Jaime Hubbard, KristinHahn, Bobbie Birleffi, Jennifer Thuma. Robin Segal and Ira Kruskol/Aviva Center; John Imperato/L.A. Gay and Lesbian CommunityCenter; Jennifer Ross/Fenway Community Health Center; Linda Habalow/Youth and Family Center; Bobbie Savage and Linda Feldman/L.A.County Department of Education; Martha Pritcher/Hill House, Pittsburgh; Karen Pomer, Laurel Ollstein, Ruth Beaglehole/BusinessIndustry School; Corky Barnes/California High School Rodeo Association; Alan Waters/FFA Enterprise, Alabama; Tammy Skubina/BentonCounty Extension Office; Charlie Haussman/Takini School, Cheyenne River Indian Reservation; Kathy Huse-Wika/Black Hills SpecialServices Cooperative; Margie Pierce/Southern California Indian Center; Su Manuel/New Generations, Tule River Indian Reservation; Greg Janicke/Kansas City Star; Sister Pat Thalhuber; Margaret Swansonand Daniel Gabriel/COMPAS; Marc Choyt/Santa Fe Indian School; Sheena Lester/RapPages; Raymond ONeil/Fly Paper; Ben Marcus/SurferPublications; Mary Lou Drummy/USSF; Miles McQueen/Juice Magazine; Shirley Ito/Amateur Athletic Foundation; Karen Weisman/AmateurSoftball Association: Wendy Triplett/CLAWS; Mitzi Witchger; Bob Szyman/St. Louis Wheelchair Basketball Association; AngelaPerez; Mary Stevenson/Pleasant Hills High School; Tim Orr and Adriana Oliviera/BORP: Alicia Montecalvo; Stephanie Price/HomeEconomics Education Association; Frank LaMeira/Danfranc Productions; Dr. Gary and Vivian Ellison/Vivianna Productions; GailHolvey/Miss North America Scholarship Pageant.

Thanks also to all the magazines, papers and other publications that were kind enough to print an article or mention whenI was reaching out to girls and seeking submissions.

Aviva center for their tireless efforts in making a difference in teenage girls lives, and to the girls there whose willingnessto express themselves led me to Girl Power.

The newspapers and magazines who encourage teenage girls expression and supported the book by allowing me to include piecesthat they had previously published. A resource list including their addresses can be found in the back of the book.

Lastly, I would like to acknowledge all the girls who were courageous enough to pick up a pen and share their lives, theirvisions, their fears and their secrets. Whether their writing ended up in the book or not, they are most certainly a partof Girl Power.

And, as in every moment of my life, I offer my gratitude to God/Goddess.

Sometimes

paper

is

the

only thing

that

will

listen

to

you

Jennifer, Providence, Rhode Island

Coming of age in a time marked by social upheaval, volatile world issues, and deep personal challenges, how do young Americanwomen between the ages of thirteen and nineteen respond? How do they get a sense of who they are and where they belong? Whatdefeats them? What gives them hope?

The voices in Girl Power are voices that have rarely spoken or been given a forum, but through writing are now able to be expressed and heard. Theyare voices of a group that shows to be significant in the shaping of society today as well as one that will grow into 51 percentof Americas future: women.

For decades, the teenage years have been the most awkward time for girls, a time when they are teetering on the thresholdof womanhood. Extensive studies have shown that in adolescence, girls have a tendency to go inward, shut down, lose theirconfidence, become self-conscious, and no longer speak freely, editing their communications.

In response to their budding sexuality, they begin to take on qualities society has equated with being feminine: they stopexpressing their opinions and trusting their own feelings. The uninhibited exuberance of childhood fades as the need for validationbecomes vital. As girls start to see boys differently, and vice versa, what was once valued as a friendship is now overriddenby a new sexual dynamic. Girls become either uncomfortable and guarded or, as they compete for the acceptance they so desirefrom boys, they judge and put down other girls. I believe this kind of behavior and these qualities are enormously magnifiedtoday due to the challenging climate of the world we live in.