by Nancy Mehegan
"The Curse of the Good Girl: Raising Authentic Girls with Courage and Confidence " by Rachel Simmons
I needed this book in High School
I wish I had this book when I was 14 years old! High School seemed a blur of emotions and a feeling of overwhelm.
Good Girl Myth
Simmons exposes the “myth of the Good Girl”—a paradigm characterized by being unerringly nice, polite, modest, and selfless.
"Unerringly nice, polite and selfless" the "good girl' is so narrow it is impossible to attain.
Conflicting messages for girls: "Be confident but do it quietly", "be strong but don't make anyone angry"... Ms. Simmons offers insights gleaned from her workshops from the Girl's Leadership Institute, which she founded.
Sample of topics: communication, distorted thinking, authenticity.
Simmons argues that we are teaching our girls in ways that limit their power and potential as society provides confusing messages to girls. As young children, girls are fed fairy Kryptonite
tales that teach compliance and self-effacing modesty. Then thrust into the working world as young adults that suddenly demands competence, confidence and assertiveness. It's a bit like the "double-bind" psychologists describe of contradictory messages. In a sense girls are forced to walk around with a big chunk of kryptonite that drains them of all power. (like Superman, remember?)
The Greater Voice of Myself
This is an intelligent book, without the usual bromides. It is thought provoking and asks you to read it several times. It's a "Mom" book -- a books for Mothers and Fathers to read to help their daughters.
It would be great if Rachel Simmons coud publish another book strictly for teen-age girls, with pictures and simple to read. This books is a MUST for teachers and parents. It's about girls finding their "truth", the true voice , their life guide. This is a VITAL SUBJECT.
This book is a MUST for any woman to read!
It's never too late!
*** Vaboomer has a copy to Giveaway*** To enter Drawing send email to contact@boomermade.com (Drawing is Sept 9)


Why Mr. Zogby, would anyone want to give up our hopefulness, our energy, our creativity for new ideas, new organizational forms, new ways of doing things (what you call Boomer adolescence and me-centeredness), our commitment to social change, equality for all women and men irrespective of their particular shade of tan for your brand of so-called maturity? A "maturity" that is downright nasty, bitter, hostile, filled with undeniable aggression and outright verbal violence against women. Specifically against Senator Hillary Clinton who you described having received a knockout punch and other unsavory sexist sports laden metaphors.
Since Senator and Presidential hopeful Barack Obama is also a BOOMER! He is imbued with all the best 





