Renée Trudeau is the award-winning author of Nurturing the Soul of Your Family and The Mother’s Guide to Self-Renewal. A sought after life balance coach/speaker, her work has appeared in The New York Times, Good Housekeeping, US News & World Report, Spirituality & Health and more. Trudeau graciously agreed to share the following guest post with Girls That Create. In these uncertain times, cultivating an attitude of gratitude is a powerful action that can greatly benefit our emotional well-being. Want to Feel Good? Cultivate an Attitude of Gratitude Growing up, our overachiever family placed a high value on competency. Often that translated into a critical mindset toward self and others, where we frequently saw the bad before the good. This way of being, like all patterns, became habitual for many of my siblings. And as my father’s daughter and a champion of “let’s make it the best,” it’s a tendency I’ve been unraveling for years. When you walk into a room and see your child working on a science project, greet your partner at the end of the day after a big presentation, or receive an email update about a work project, do you see what’s going “right” or immediately look for what’s going “wrong?” Cultivating a gratitude practice has helped me to shift my perspective and see the gifts in any situation–even those that look horribly astray. An attitude of gratitude doesn’t come naturally to us. It was something I had to learn, to bring my attention and focus to, and to practice, practice, practice. I chose to …

The good folks over at Teaching Tolerance have made 33 powerful posters (from The One World series) free to download. Originally featured in Teaching Tolerance Magazine, the posters are 11″ x 17″ and high resolution. Educators can easily print and then place them to inspire both students and teachers in classrooms. In addition to posters, Teaching Tolerance offers lessons, learning plans, teaching strategies, student texts, film kits and more on their website. The organization also produces several podcasts: The Mind Online Queer America Teaching Hard History Go to the Teaching Tolerance website to download any of the 33 poster works. Click the thumbnail for an image file, suitable for your device wallpaper or using in your teaching materials. Or click the ‘Download PDF’ link for a high resolution version suitable for printing these 11″ x 17″ posters at school or your local office supply store. Five of The One World Posters Frida Kahlo Summer 2018 Illustration by Luis Pinto   bell hooks Fall 2004 Illustration by Antoaneta Demireva Ruby Dee Fall 2015 Illustration by Tanamachi Studio Harvey Milk Summer 2017 Illustration by James Victore Kay Ulanday Barrett Spring 2020 Illustration by Lisa Quine About Teaching Tolerance The mission of Teaching Tolerance is to help teachers and schools educate children and youth to be active participants in a diverse democracy. The organization provides free resources to educators—teachers, administrators, counselors and other practitioners—who work with children from kindergarten through high school. Educators use their materials to supplement curriculum, inform practices, and to create civil and inclusive school communities where …

Here are 10 powerful quotes from women Latinx artists that speak of perseverance, possibilities, and staying rooted in who you are. Curious about the term Latinx? Read Shereen Marisol Meraji’s post ‘Hispanic,’ ‘Latino,’ Or ‘Latinx’? Survey Says … for NPR Code Switch. Latinx Heritage Month (Hispanic Heritage Month) is celebrated nationally from September 15 to October 15. 10 Powerful Quotes From Women Latinx Artists “Write with your eyes like painters, with your ears like musicians, with your feet like dancers. You are the truthsayer with quill and torch. Write with your tongues of fire. Don’t let the pen banish you from yourself.” ~Gloria E. Anzaldúa, author, poet, activist “I believe in the possibility of art being disruptive and trying to break boundaries and resist prior tendencies and norms of society.” Graciela Carnevale, artist “Art is above religion and politics because all humans are capable of creating, and we are all artists.” Marta Minujín, conceptual and performance artist “I’ve been a story-teller all my life but I realized it only recently.” ~Isabel Allende, writer “Being an artist doesn’t start because you’re 21, and it doesn’t end because you’re 51. You are who you are until the day you die.” ~Jennifer Lopez, actress, singer, dancer, fashion designer “My weapon has always been language, and I’ve always used it, but it has changed. Instead of shaping the words like knives now, I think they’re flowers, or bridges.” Sandra Cisneros, writer “All I tell artists is, ‘Do what you love. Never let anybody talk you into changing what your musical idea is …

Did you know the only major museum in the world solely dedicated to championing women through the arts is in Washington, D.C.? With its collections, exhibitions, programs, and online content, the National Museum of Women in the Arts (NMWA) inspires dynamic exchanges about art and ideas. The museum addresses gender imbalance in the presentation of art by bringing to light important women artists of the past. It also promotes great women artists working today. This fall the NMWA is presenting a lineup of innovative online programs to connect visitors to women artists. See the calendar for dates and times. More Online Engagement The museum’s blog Broad Strokes informs online visitors about women artists in the collections, helps them explore exhibitions in greater detail, and provides vital information about gender disparity in the arts. The @WomenInTheArts social media channels on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram amplify the museum’s collection, programs, publications, and advocacy by connecting with global audiences. The award-winning #5WomenArtists campaign raises awareness about gender equity issues in the arts and has initiated tangible, real-world impacts for artists and arts organizations around the world. Free Online Activities See For Yourself Cards: Create your own museum experience using these fun, interactive art cards. See for Yourself cards correspond to selected works from NMWA’s collection and special exhibitions. Use them to engage with artworks and discover fascinating facts. Art, Books, and Creativity (ABC) Curriculum: The ABC curriculum consists of 14 lessons, which combine visual arts and writing activities. ABC introduces students to artworks by women, as well as basic art vocabulary and …

Looking for a wonderfully quirky indoor planter to shower with creativity? Then the Face Plant is perfect for you. When my oldest daughter and I saw a picture of this little square of joy, both of us knew we needed one to live permanently at our home (full disclosure, 30 Watt sent me a sample of the planter to review). Planter With a Happy Face So what separates this planter from the thousands of others out there on the market? You can personalize it with facial expressions and messages using any dry erase marker. I also love the minimal design and its built-in nose and ears. Those little details mean you can store favorite sunglasses, eyeglasses or simply change the planter’s mood for the day. The girls and I have had fun dressing ours up: At $16, this little planter is a great gift. It is made of 100 percent ceramic and has a drainage hole in the bottom for proper plant care. The Face Plant is available online at www.30Watt.com. The company prides itself on manufacturing unconventional products and gifts that empower people to be clever. Happy creating and planting! More Girls That Create posts: Make Your Young Girl An Art Space and Unique and Thoughtful Gifts. www.girlsthatcreate.com

Two free history-driven podcasts commemorating 100 years of the 19th Amendment and women’s constitutional right to vote are now available. Episodes will be released weekly through September 16, featuring the untold stories of the women’s suffrage movement and the generations of activists who championed equal rights. Podcast 1) And Nothing Less: The Untold Stories of Women’s Fight for the Vote Co-hosted by actresses Rosario Dawson and Retta. “Men their rights and nothing more; women their rights and nothing less.” Written by Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton, women’s rights activists used this resonant rallying call to demand voting equality. The suffrage movement also included an array of diverse voices beyond these two well-known leaders, as generations of activists fought for full access to the ballot. Rosario Dawson and Retta will guide listeners through stories not often found in history books alongside a range of guests, including historian Dr. Martha S. Jones (Vanguard: How Black Women Broke Barriers, Won the Vote, and Insisted on Equality for All), journalist Elaine Weiss (The Woman’s Hour), and Michelle Duster, the great-granddaughter of suffragist and civil rights icon Ida B. Wells. “The full history of the women’s suffrage movement, the work of so many heroes who fought for and secured women’s right to vote, resonates profoundly today,” said Dawson. “It’s an honor to bring such powerful stories from our nation’s history to audiences everywhere.” “It’s a joy to bring the history of the women’s suffrage movement in America (and around the world) to life,” said Retta. “Especially with Rosario, who …

How do we help our kids who fear failure? It’s a question many parents grapple with as they watch their youngsters grow up and try new things. Luckily, Dr. Michele Borba has written this guest post on how we can help girls overcome life’s early stumbles. Dr. Borba is a globally-recognized educational psychologist and parenting, bullying and character expert whose aim is to strengthen children’s empathy and resilience, and break the cycle of youth violence. She has delivered keynotes and workshops to over 1,000,000 participants and authored 24 books translated into 14 languages. Helping Kids Who Fear Failure One of the inevitable facts of life is that everyone makes mistakes. Granted, some mistakes are more significant than others and harder to get over, but they are a part of life. How individuals deal with those mistakes is significant to their self-esteem. Children with high self-esteem appear much better at coping with their errors. Watching children with positive self-perceptions deal with an error is always a magnificent sight. These children literally stand up, brush off their knees, and say, “Well, I blew it. What should I do differently next time?” They recognize that a mistake was made and admit the error. Most importantly, these children also develop a strategy to change the mistake and not do the same thing again. What they do, in reality, is leam from their errors. The process of making and learning from mistakes is an extremely valuable life skill because learning involves risking. Every time children risk, they will not always …

Growing up, I lovingly lined The Baby-Sitters Club (BSC) books numerically along a closet shelf. While my collecting volumes ended decades ago, the affection I have for BSC remains strong. That’s why I was thrilled to receive a screener invite for episode one of Netflix’s new THE BABY-SITTERS CLUB series. Hosted by the Geena Davis Institute on Gender in Media (GDIGM), the event included a follow-up Q&A with Showrunner Rachel Shukert and Director and Executive Producer Lucia Aniello. Enduring Popularity THE BABY-SITTERS CLUB follows the friendship and babysitting adventures of five best friends in Stoneybrook, Connecticut. In the initial announcement about the show’s release, author Ann M. Martin said, “I’m amazed that there are so many passionate fans of The Baby-Sitters Club after all these years, and I’m honored to continue to hear from readers – now grown, who have become writers, editors, teachers, librarians, filmmakers – who say that they see a reflection of themselves in the characters of Kristy and her friends. So I’m very excited about the forthcoming series on Netflix, which I hope will inspire a new generation of readers and leaders everywhere.” During the Q&A hosted by GDIGM, Shukert pointed out this is the first adaptation of BSC to be made by people who grew up with the material. Both she and Aniello were obsessive about the books as youngsters. In fact Aniello shared she often shies away from working on reboots or reimagining old material. When her agent asked what project she’d never turn down, the answer was BSC. It’s no coincidence the main character Kristy sits down …

The country is burning. That’s the sentence that kept playing in my mind over and over again last night. A Black man had his neck crushed by a police officer, while three of his colleagues stood by and did NOTHING. Another story in the chapter upon chapter upon chapter of police brutality against a person of color. And now the country is burning…again. Enough. Action starts at home. If you’re not having talking with children about race and racial violence at home, now is the time. Below are several resources to discuss race and racial violence with children. And even if you’ve had a talk, these conversations need to be routine. As the folks over at EmbraceRace point out, “Race is a topic you should plan to revisit again and again in many different ways overtime.” Talking With Kids About Race and Racial Violence 10 Tips for Teaching and Talking to Kids About Race (EmbraceRace) How To Talk To Your Kids About Race, Racism And Police Violence (NPR WBUR) Talking With Children About Racism, Police Brutality and Protests (Aha! Parenting) White Kids Need to Start Using Their Privilege for Good — Here’s How to Teach Them (she knows) How to Talk to Your Kids About Race and Being Anti-Racist (Mommy Brain) Multicultural and Social Justice Books for Children (A Teaching for Change Project) How White Parents Can Talk To Their Kids About Race (NPR Life Kit) I’m Tired of Being Angry (The Mom Set) As a Black Parent, I need to Update ‘The Talk’ I Have With My Kids About Police (Los Angeles Times) Why …

10 powerful quotes from women in music. Often it just takes strong words and good songs to lift spirits. If you’re really in a rut, I suggest downloading the incredible catalogs of these artists and putting the headphones on. 10 Powerful Quotes from Women in Music “You can’t move mountains by whispering at them.” ~P!nk “My legacy is that I stayed on course… from the beginning to the end, because I believed in something inside of me.” ~Tina Turner “I believe in individuality, that everybody is special, and it’s up to them to find that quality and let it live.” ~Grace Jones “My mother would really make me notice the world of women, and in Latin America they have a kind of magic in that they make society function in every kind of intimate way, as well as in the bigger picture.” ~Lila Downs “You have to fail and then get better. Then you have to fail again, and then get even better.” ~Lady Gaga “Everyone looks to an artist for something more than just the music, and that message of being comfortable in my own skin is number one for me.” ~Lizzo “We only have one rule and that is there are no rules, so stand up and sing as much as you want to.” ~Natalie Maines (The Chicks) “Women are not always taken as seriously as we should be, so sometimes we have to put our foot down.” ~Missy Elliott “Each individual is as individual as their fingerprints, and I think that’s extraordinary.” …