We Did It – Be You Boldly 2025 Was a Hit!
Thank you to everyone who helped make our Be You Boldly! conferences such powerful and inspiring days! Over 175 middle school girls and gender-expansive youth joined us to learn, lead, and spark change – and we’re still glowing from the energy they brought into the space. “I felt really welcome!” – “I had a ton of fun!” – “THIS WAS AWESOME!”
We’re sending a big shout out to the amazing organizations who hosted Action Spots, helping participants explore topics like mental health, activism, gender justice, and more: Maine Family Planning, SARSSM, The Yellow Tulip Project, Maine Youth Action Network, League of Women Voters of Maine, NAMI Maine, Maine Youth Power, Grandmothers for Reproductive Rights, OUT Maine, Mama Mia Making, and the Sexual Assault Crisis & Support Center. Your conversations were powerful and noticed!
We were lucky to have a dream team of volunteers – many of whom are new friends to Hardy Girls! Whether you helped set up, passed out lunches, or hyped up exhausted FABbers, your support was felt and appreciated.
The feedback from participants, caregivers, and educators has been overwhelmingly positive. Here’s some of our favorite quotes from conference attendees: “Today I learned….”
That being a girl is amazing
About public speaking
About periods
Why self love is important and how to raise a ruckus
How to love myself
To be good to yourself no matter what
That I don’t have to go by beauty standards
What resilience means
Huge thanks to our generous sponsors and supporters: Colby College and Waynflete School for hosting us; Elm Plaza Hannaford in Waterville for keeping everyone hydrated and fortified with snacks; Cappza’s Pizza in Waterville and OTTO Pizza in Portland for the fan-favorite cheese pizza lunches; Martin’s Point Health Care, Morning Glory Natural Foods, Maine Education Association, and Maine Women’s Lobby Education Fund for generously sponsoring us; and all the behind-the-scenes champions who made this happen.
We’re already dreaming about what’s next. Until then – stay bold, stay loud, and stay YOU.
With so much gratitude,
The Hardy Girls Team
EVENTS, ACTIONS, RESOURCES
Join Registered Maine Guide Hazel Stark this Saturday, April 5th, from 2-5 pm for a hands-on, interactive workshop designed to equip you with the essential skills and insider tips to make camping what it should be–a fun and inspiring way to connect with the outdoors and the people you choose to bring with you.
Registration is required for OWL programs. Visit https://whrl.org/programs/owl/ to learn more or to register.
★ YWCA’s VIRTUAL Until Justice Just Is campaign (UJJI), launches Monday April 14th. Registration for the Racial Justice Challenge is open now. For just a few minutes, each day for 4 weeks join the challenge and challenge yourself to learn more, ask more, and share more. This year’s theme is Equity in Action: Exposing Myths and Redefining Justice. The goal of this campaign is to raise awareness about the impact of institutional and structural racism and by building community among those who work to advance justice.
It’s FREE and fun – Request to Join!
FAB SPOTLIGHT
Killing a girl
By Ella Nielsen, 3rd year FABber and junior at Messalonskee High
From day one pants went under her dresses
She held her father’s hand in public, always
When she enters school she can only be friends with girls
Boys want to be more than friends, even at 5 years old
When she enters the 5th grade she is shown a pad for the first time But is told to keep it hidden, as it is not polite to bleed
Middle school comes and now she wears bras
Though they can’t be seen because guys can’t handle it
High school is here and she kisses one boy, everything has changed
She will be friends with guys but they only want to see what those pants were hiding all those years ago
Graduation arrives and they want to see her bra
Does it match the color of her thong
College comes and she keeps her phone charged
Mentally maps where she walks, one headphone out at all times
She graduates again and again men aren’t her friends
They can’t simply want to talk
Marriage is here and she is worried about her honeymoon
The little girl she will then have to raise
When her daughter is born she cries tears of joy and fear
One day she will put pants under her daughter’s dresses
