AAUW Kingston’s International Women’s Day Celebration

In many countries, International Women’s Day is a holiday similar to Mother’s Day. People give cards, gifts and flowers to the important women in their lives. In countries like Portugal and Romania, women and girls have women-only dinners and parties to talk about their lives, struggles, and accomplishments. All around the world, March 8th is a day to celebrate women, reflect on the future, and encourage intergenerational dialogue.

The theme for International Women’s Day 2014 was “Inspiring Change.” So to inspire some change in our community, AAUW Kingston connected with a group of Girl Scouts. Blending the traditions of International Women’s Day cards and intergenerational communication, we wrote to the Scouts at our March Branch Meeting. Aided by writing prompts provided by a AAUW NYS Program in a Box, our members wrote about their life experiences, thoughts, and shared advice with the girls.

The cards included beautiful pearls of wisdom, reassuring words about being an adolescent girl, and practical advice about things like school. Some of our members also reflected on their brushes with history, like meeting Franklin Roosevelt and remembering the hopeful atmosphere surrounding the formation of the United Nations. Others talked about finding their STEM career paths or growing up as a first generation American. They are all moving, kind messages that are sure to leave a lasting impression on the girls who receive them.

The cards were mailed to the girls’ troop leader who will distribute the letters and read them with the girls. Copies will be submitted to the AAUW NYS Historian and our Branch archives. You can scroll through below to check out the letters, just click to enlarge the thumbnails.

 

Dear Amelia, We are writing to you in celebration of International Women's Day. I remember when the United Nations was formed in the late 1940s. How we all hoped that this would bring world peace! Now we are hoping that you young women will help us move closer to that goal. We believe you are all strong and looking forward to a better world. --- -XO ViVI

Dear Amelia,
   We are writing to you in celebration of International Women’s Day. I remember when the United Nations was formed in the late 1940s. How we all hoped that this would bring world peace! Now we are hoping that you young women will help us move closer to that goal. We believe you are all strong and looking forward to a better world.
—
-XO
ViVI

Dear Kiera, Being a part of a group of women is a very good way to share how we appreciate doing things for other people, just like Girl Scouts! Enjoy being a part of a wonderful life! --- Anita

Dear Kiera,
   Being a part of a group of women is a very good way to share how we appreciate doing things for other people, just like Girl Scouts!
   Enjoy being a part of a wonderful life!
—
Anita

Dear Lauren, Happy "International Women's Day"! I asked to write to you because I have a daughter named Lauren. This reminds me of what it's like to be 11 years old and what a wonderful, changeable, and hopeful time it is. I was the oldest in a family of 5 children. I had many responsibilities, but I realize now that they made me a strong person. I have travelled all over the world and have friends in many countries. Stay strong, study hard, and let your voice be heard. --- Sincerely, Doreen

Dear Lauren,
   Happy “International Women’s Day”! I asked to write to you because I have a daughter named Lauren. This reminds me of what it’s like to be 11 years old and what a wonderful, changeable, and hopeful time it is.
I was the oldest in a family of 5 children. I had many responsibilities, but I realize now that they made me a strong person. I have travelled all over the world and have friends in many countries.
   Stay strong, study hard, and let your voice be heard.
—
Sincerely,
Doreen

Dear Amanda, I chose your name because the school I work in has a secretary named Amanda. I teach Language Arts and Reading in a high school. I grew up a long time ago and I met President Roosevelt when I was your age. I think you know about him. I hope you will visit his home and library in Hyde Park some time. I was a Girl Scout-- Junior and Senior-- I also was a leader for 10 years. Be good! --- Love, Erika Weiss

Dear Amanda,
   I chose your name because the school I work in has a secretary named Amanda. I teach Language Arts and Reading in a high school.
   I grew up a long time ago and I met President Roosevelt when I was your age. I think you know about him. I hope you will visit his home and library in Hyde Park some time.
   I was a Girl Scout– Junior and Senior– I also was a leader for 10 years.
   Be good!
—
Love,
Erika Weiss

3/22/14 Dear Olivia, I am a first generation American. While I was growing up I was a victim of discrimination. Being treated scornfully hurts. Luckily, I had a loving extended family that helped me develop self-esteem. I learned to believe in my capabilities and set constructive goals. Always remember to believe in yourself no matter what others may say and you will grow up to be a proud young lady. --- Best to you always, Dolores LaChance

3/22/14
Dear Olivia,
   I am a first generation American. While I was growing up I was a victim of discrimination. Being treated scornfully hurts. Luckily, I had a loving extended family that helped me develop self-esteem. I learned to believe in my capabilities and set constructive goals. Always remember to believe in yourself no matter what others may say and you will grow up to be a proud young lady.
—
Best to you always,
Dolores LaChance

Dear Taylor, Happy International Women’s Day! One thing I wish someone had told me when I was 10 years old is that it is important to not be so, soooo, so scared of failing. When I was your age, failing at anything—school, ballet, being a good friend, everything—was one of my biggest fears. It is really good and very natural to want to succeed, but sometimes, if you’re too afraid of failing at something, you stop yourself from even trying it and you miss out on really cool, interesting things. Don’t be afraid to try things you haven’t ever done before, whether it’s a hard class, an obstacle course, a new sport, making a new friend, or traveling somewhere really different. Don’t be too shy or too proud to ask for help along the way. And if you end up failing, or not doing as well as you hoped, don’t be afraid to try again! Sometimes it really hurts to fail or be rejected, but it happens to everybody (really and truly, everybody) so you shouldn’t feel ashamed, decide you can't ever do something, or feel like one setback or little failure decides your entire future. Some things take a long time to learn and everybody learns at different paces, find your best way to learn and do what you love. Always be brave and challenge yourself to try new things, even they look scary or intimidating at first glance Give it a try even if you’re not sure you can succeed. Never give up, do your best, and be proud of your achievements, big and small! I know you will do lots of amazing things in life, best of luck! --- Sincerely, Jenn Mayfield

Dear Taylor,
   Happy International Women’s Day! One thing I wish someone had told me when I was 10 years old is that it is important to not be so, soooo, so scared of failing. When I was your age, failing at anything—school, ballet, being a good friend, everything—was one of my biggest fears.
   It is really good and very natural to want to succeed, but sometimes, if you’re too afraid of failing at something, you stop yourself from even trying it and you miss out on really cool, interesting things. Don’t be afraid to try things you haven’t ever done before, whether it’s a hard class, an obstacle course, a new sport, making a new friend, or traveling somewhere really different. Don’t be too shy or too proud to ask for help along the way.
   And if you end up failing, or not doing as well as you hoped, don’t be afraid to try again! Sometimes it really hurts to fail or be rejected, but it happens to everybody (really and truly, everybody) so you shouldn’t feel ashamed, decide you can’t ever do something, or feel like one setback or little failure decides your entire future. Some things take a long time to learn and everybody learns at different paces, find your best way to learn and do what you love.
   Always be brave and challenge yourself to try new things, even they look scary or intimidating at first glance Give it a try even if you’re not sure you can succeed. Never give up, do your best, and be proud of your achievements, big and small! I know you will do lots of amazing things in life, best of luck!
—
Sincerely,
Jenn Mayfield

Dear Mia, I think it's great that you are part of a Girl Scout troop. I'm a "grandma" - age 70 so I have a long time to look back on. I've found that I have felt best able to achieve and get things done when working with other girls and later women. I went to an all girls' college (there aren't many left - but there are a few). Working with other girls and women will give you a lot of confidence. It's different when in a group that includes boys also. So stay with Scouting. It will be a good experience for your life to come. --- Susan Hirsch

Dear Mia,
   I think it’s great that you are part of a Girl Scout troop. I’m a “grandma” – age 70 so I have a long time to look back on. I’ve found that I have felt best able to achieve and get things done when working with other girls and later women. I went to an all girls’ college (there aren’t many left – but there are a few). Working with other girls and women will give you a lot of confidence. It’s different when in a group that includes boys also. So stay with Scouting. It will be a good experience for your life to come.
—
Susan Hirsch

March 22, 2014 Dear Paige, Hello! Happy (Belated) International Women's Day and National Women's History Month! I chose to write to you because I have a very dear friend named Paige. She is from Red Hook and now lives in Brooklyn. She was a swim coach and is now back at school to learn cosmetology. I went to school to learn technical writing and I have been writing computer manuals at IBM for 25+ years -- it has flown by! I hope you enjoy school. Take care. Happy spring! --- Sincerely, Susan Holland

March 22, 2014
Dear Paige,
   Hello! Happy (Belated) International Women’s Day and National Women’s History Month! I chose to write to you because I have a very dear friend named Paige. She is from Red Hook and now lives in Brooklyn. She was a swim coach and is now back at school to learn cosmetology. I went to school to learn technical writing and I have been writing computer manuals at IBM for 25+ years — it has flown by! I hope you enjoy school. Take care. Happy spring!
—
Sincerely,
Susan Holland

To Mila, Look at the beautiful picture on the front please. Does it make you smile? Learn to cherish simple pleasures. That way, whether you grow up to be rich or poor, you will always have joy in your life. --- Jean

To Mila,
   Look at the beautiful picture on the front please. Does it make you smile? Learn to cherish simple pleasures. That way, whether you grow up to be rich or poor, you will always have joy in your life.
—
Jean

Dear Aislinn, Happy International Women’s Day! One thing my mother always taught me is that there is always something you can learn from everyone you meet. Young or old, rich or poor, everyone has something to share. Ask a lot of (respectful) questions and you will be amazed at what you learn and the stories you hear from everyone around you. Everyone always has a story to tell and sometimes, they have been through some very difficult experiences in life. That’s part of why it’s also very important to always be kind, you can’t tell what someone is dealing with just by looking at them or having a brief conversation. Make sure you treat everyone the way you would want to be treated. And on that note, always be kind to yourself. Sometimes we can be our own worst, toughest critics. Please do me a favor, the next time you are being really hard on yourself for messing up or doing something wrong, ask yourself what you would say to your best friend if she were in your situation. Chances are you would have a lot more patience and kind words for her, you deserve the same! Good luck and happy spring, Aislinn! --- Sincerely, Jenn Mayfield

Dear Aislinn,
   Happy International Women’s Day! One thing my mother always taught me is that there is always something you can learn from everyone you meet. Young or old, rich or poor, everyone has something to share. Ask a lot of (respectful) questions and you will be amazed at what you learn and the stories you hear from everyone around you. Everyone always has a story to tell and sometimes, they have been through some very difficult experiences in life. That’s part of why it’s also very important to always be kind, you can’t tell what someone is dealing with just by looking at them or having a brief conversation. Make sure you treat everyone the way you would want to be treated. And on that note, always be kind to yourself. Sometimes we can be our own worst, toughest critics. Please do me a favor, the next time you are being really hard on yourself for messing up or doing something wrong, ask yourself what you would say to your best friend if she were in your situation. Chances are you would have a lot more patience and kind words for her, you deserve the same!
   Good luck and happy spring, Aislinn!
—
Sincerely,
Jenn Mayfield

3/22/14 Hello Margaret, Wow you're nine years old! I remember when I was [9] and in the 4th grade. I had a wonderful teacher. I thought I would become a teacher which is a great choice. But when I was nine, there wasn't many choices for me. I only heard I could be a teacher, a nurse, or an office worker. Imagine that! There were only three choices. Now you have many more choices. Learn all you can so you can make a good choice for yourself. --- Ruth

3/22/14
Hello Margaret,
   Wow you’re nine years old! I remember when I was [9] and in the 4th grade. I had a wonderful teacher. I thought I would become a teacher which is a great choice. But when I was nine, there wasn’t many choices for me. I only heard I could be a teacher, a nurse, or an office worker. Imagine that! There were only three choices. Now you have many more choices. Learn all you can so you can make a good choice for yourself.
—
Ruth

Dear Makenna, Happy International Women’s Day! I want to tell you about my great-great-aunt Bess. She was a really smart lady who lived in the early 1900s—a time when there were a lot of things women couldn’t do, no matter how smart they were. Still, Bess decided to get a PhD from the University of North Carolina anyway! Back then, there were only a few bridges to get in and out of the rural area where she lived in Eastern Kentucky’s Appalachian Mountains. They didn’t even have a train that went there! Just making that first trip must have been really hard and pretty scary. Plus, when Aunt Bess got to school, they didn’t have any dorms or rooms for girls. She had to sleep on a couch at the Dean’s house for years until she got her degree! Learning about Aunt Bess’ life taught me that sometimes you have to stand up for yourself and fight for what's right. It also taught me that sometimes fighting or reaching for your dreams isn’t dramatic or glamorous, sometimes it’s as simple as claiming your sport and sleeping on a couch. Make sure you always stand up for what is right and always believe in yourself. Sometimes it gets really hard to do those things, but with help, love, and support from your family, friends, and Girl Scout troop, you will find that you are stronger and braver than you realized. Best of luck, you're already on a grand life adventure! --- Sincerely, Jenn Mayfield

Dear Makenna,
   Happy International Women’s Day! I want to tell you about my great-great-aunt Bess. She was a really smart lady who lived in the early 1900s—a time when there were a lot of things women couldn’t do, no matter how smart they were. Still, Bess decided to get a PhD from the University of North Carolina anyway! Back then, there were only a few bridges to get in and out of the rural area where she lived in Eastern Kentucky’s Appalachian Mountains. They didn’t even have a train that went there! Just making that first trip must have been really hard and pretty scary. Plus, when Aunt Bess got to school, they didn’t have any dorms or rooms for girls. She had to sleep on a couch at the Dean’s house for years until she got her degree!
   Learning about Aunt Bess’ life taught me that sometimes you have to stand up for yourself and fight for what’s right. It also taught me that sometimes fighting or reaching for your dreams isn’t dramatic or glamorous, sometimes it’s as simple as claiming your sport and sleeping on a couch. Make sure you always stand up for what is right and always believe in yourself. Sometimes it gets really hard to do those things, but with help, love, and support from your family, friends, and Girl Scout troop, you will find that you are stronger and braver than you realized.
   Best of luck, you’re already on a grand life adventure!
—
Sincerely,
Jenn Mayfield

Dear Madelena, What a beautiful name! You are growing up in an exciting, but confusing time. Women are doing jobs that only men did in the past. Remember that you can be anything you want. I hope you have a wonderful life. --- Lydia Mellos AAUW

Dear Madelena,
   What a beautiful name!
   You are growing up in an exciting, but confusing time. Women are doing jobs that only men did in the past.
   Remember that you can be anything you want. I hope you have a wonderful life.
—
Lydia Mellos
AAUW

March 2014 Dear Caroline, My name is Sheila. I have 2 daughters, both adults now, and one grandson, who is 18 months old. I was a Girl Scout from Brownies through my teens. I went to several Girl Scout camps and my daughters both went to Camp Wendy many years. I hope you have a chance to go to camp. I liked most of school, but never liked arithmetic. However when I got to Junior High and learned algebra, I started to like math. I ended up majoring in math in college and became a computer programmer. I hope you give technical fields a thought, as they can be fascinating and very rewarding financially. --- Best wishes, Sheila

March 2014
Dear Caroline,
   My name is Sheila. I have 2 daughters, both adults now, and one grandson, who is 18 months old. I was a Girl Scout from Brownies through my teens. I went to several Girl Scout camps and my daughters both went to Camp Wendy many years. I hope you have a chance to go to camp.
   I liked most of school, but never liked arithmetic. However when I got to Junior High and learned algebra, I started to like math. I ended up majoring in math in college and became a computer programmer. I hope you give technical fields a thought, as they can be fascinating and very rewarding financially.
—
Best wishes,
Sheila

To Madison, As I know you live in Ulster County, I urge you to enjoy the beauty around you. Whether you are rich or poor, at any age, it is important to recognize the wonders of nature. Learn to value the simple pleasures in life! --- Jean

To Madison,
   As I know you live in Ulster County, I urge you to enjoy the beauty around you.
   Whether you are rich or poor, at any age, it is important to recognize the wonders of nature. Learn to value the simple pleasures in life!
—
Jean

Hi Cassidy, Girl Scouts are great fun! I hope you grow up to be a Scout leader and a beautiful woman who helps the whole world. --- Jane

Hi Cassidy,
   Girl Scouts are great fun! I hope you grow up to be a Scout leader and a beautiful woman who helps the whole world.
—
Jane