As the holiday season approaches, all of us here at Girl Up are realizing how many great things we have in our lives. So in celebration of the American holiday Thanksgiving, we’ve all come up with a list of things we’re thankful for.

Keep checking in throughout the week to find out what everyone else here at Girl Up is thankful for!

Matrika Bailey-Turner, Administrative Assistant

I am, and forever will be, thankful for my family. I am lucky enough to have parents who continuously hold a touch-point on social justice issues, especially issues of inequity affecting women and girls in the US and around the world. When my parents learned about the thousands of unwanted Indian baby girls in the 1980s, they were determined to help one by adopting her into their family. To honor my parents, I have pledged my life to combating social injustice to help further opportunities for women and girls who are walking down a very different path than I am.

I am thankful for my passport. Unlike many women and girls around the world, I was able to obtain a passport without problem or question. With this seemingly insignificant travel tool, I have the freedom to travel to many destinations around the world, whereas girls in other countries can’t even travel to different parts of their home country. My passport is another tool the US government uses to count me as a citizen, and protect me should I need it. In other countries, girls aren’t allowed to carry identification cards because they are not counted as equal to boys.

I am thankful for Girl Up. Girl Up motivates and inspires me to contribute to social change by helping mobilize American girls to help fundraise and support girls around the world. In this last year, I have met so many incredible leaders and champions fighting for women and girls around the world, and the thousands of amazingly generous Girl Up Supporters continue to motivate me in my work. “..while we are strong, together we are stronger.”

Heather Faison, Online Communications Officer

My mom. If I’m having a bum day, I’m calling mom. If I’m having an over-the-moon great day, I’m calling mom. If…well, you get the point. This woman is truly my rock. She has supported me through all of my crazy adventures. I would not be able to achieve anything without the support of her and my entire family!

My little cousin Prescott. I love this kid. I’ll admit, sometimes he can be a pest (like all 3rd graders can!). Yet, he’s taught me so much. The most important lesson: slow down and just enjoy life. One day we were walking around my parent’s neighborhood and 20 minutes in, I was ready to turn around and return to my “Grey’s Anatomy” marathon. Suddenly, Prescott stops me and yells, “Look, look!” He pointed to a polka-dotted bunny. Looking at the excitement in his eyes, I realized it’s OK to stop and just enjoy nature.

Teen Advisors. I was so inspired by our new class of Teen Advisors. They met for the first time in San Francisco earlier this month and energized our entire Girl Up team. Rest assured folks, that the “iGeneration” is in very good hands.

Keep visiting GirlUp.org throughout the week to hear what other people at Girl Up are thankful for and share on our Facebook page what you are thankful for this year!

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