They Called Me a Nerd: Why Women Supporting Women Matters

If your middle or high school was anything like mine, you went to school with "mean girls." I definitely remember the ones I grew up with. They made fun of my hair, my clothes, my body, and even my personality. Nothing was off limits. Back then, I hated them. Today, I just wonder what they went through to feel the need to do that. Even 'friends' could be cruel. Possibly the worst was finding a note on the bus between my two best friends that was about me. They were questioning why they were friends with such a nerd like me. What made that moment more impactful was when I got off the bus. My dad was waiting for me in his truck. He should have been at work. He tells me my dog escaped and was run over by the UPS truck. Then, he drove off and went back to work. I was left to enter my house alone and deal with my grief. I wanted to reach out to my friends, but after just finding that note, I realized I didn't have any. A moment like that sticks with you.

I've noticed a shift within the past 10 or so years with the help of social media. Or maybe it's just my corner of the internet. Either way, I love seeing it. I know cruelty exists on the internet as well, but what I see from women is support, compassion, and camaraderie. I would love to see even more of it. I create with the women in mind who are deconstructing old beliefs and working on becoming the best versions of themselves.

What we say to each matters. It builds the women we become, good or bad. I could have used a lot more support from the girls around me at that age. Unfortunately, they were not comfortable with my awkward, shy, younger self. I know that impacted the way I saw myself. I think that is why I'm so passionate about it now. We have an opportunity to build a better generation, and that starts with us supporting each other today.

That's the energy I want to pour into the series I'm working on, "Woman to Woman."