Philly college student Samera Paz is only 22. But that’s more than enough life experience to realize that women in America still have to struggle to be heard.
Instead of waiting for society to get their act together she got her hands dirty and created spaces where young women can come together and—wait for it—speak without being cut off, talked over or shut down. And she called it, fittingly, Girl Power Meetups.
The meetups, in D.C. and Baltimore so far, are spots where self-identifying girls—cis, trans, and queer alike—can have candid conversations. Girls share ideas, artwork and creative expressions. They discuss doubts and insecurities without fear of judgment. And in the process they’re shown that their ideas aren’t just valid but are genuinely packed with power.
This kind of positive self-reflection will grow into a new generation of strong women, activists and allies. Samera’s vision is one of an America that’s better not just for women, but for everyone. An America that stifles the voices of any group of Americans is doing more than burying powerful ideas, it’s doing damage to freedom. Our freedom.
So be cool. Listen up. And free that speech, y’all.
