March 8: Hannah Deegan

I think I speak for all of us when I say that last night was one of the most exhilarating and powerful nights of our lives. We were one of seven acts from a variety of countries, including Norway, Germany, and Argentina. After being carefully dolled up by professional make-up artists, we stood in our traditional pre-show circle and suddenly realized what was about to happen. When I joined ALAG, I signed up for four weeks of writing with a group of strangers. Today, four years later, that tiny risk I took has turned me, and all of us, into an international performer. Squeezing each others’ hands in nervousness and excitement, we called the love of all the people missing from our circle—Dylan, Izzy, Nailah, Ashley, Deanna, Annie Sellick, Heather, Jessika, Kim Green, Rachel Agee, Chandelle, Jami, all of the people who have brought us their stories and talents, and of course, Cyan’s guidance and courage. As Vali gave her introduction we held our breath, peeking out at the crowd of thousands, preparing mentally for the most terrifying and fantastic fifteen minutes. And when we went on that stage, when we sang and danced and spoke in our broken Spanish, they LOVED it. They were laughing, they were cheering, and we were growing in their reactions, expanding and exploring the joy and power of being on stage. Afterwards we could hardly speak; we could hardly believe what we had just done. As we left the theatre, people pulled us aside, applauding us again and again—police escorted us on motorbikes to our restaurant (which made us feel pretty important and glamorous), and I thought that I could maybe get used to this. After all, there is no one else I would rather be taking on the unknown with than my GRRRLs.

Tonight we do it all again, with the same intention we held last night—to make our mark, and to have a blast while doing it.

March 7: Vali

Tears of gratitude flow down my cheeks this morning as I reflect on our beautiful evening last night at the International Gala.  The GRRRLS were the official representatives of the United States at the gala performance, and  I have never been more proud.

With their effervescence, confidence and wisdom, they held the grand stage at Melico Salizar for an audience of 1000 people with deep presence.  They described what it means to be a G-R-R-R-L (in Spanish!!!!!!!!!), and the crowd went wild.

Our part of the program was a 15 minute highlight of our longer performance which we will offer this evening at Teatro 1887.

Throughout this entire journey, I have never stopped being amazed at the grace and beauty of these GRRRLS.  Their generosity affects everyone who encounters them, and everyone is changed for the better.

It has been so interesting to watch the surprise on people’s faces when they see how professional the GRRRLS are in performance.  They exceed everyone’s expectations… It’s been wonderful to hear comments from women artists from Norway, Spain, Argentina, Canada and Costa Rica all saying how the GRRRLS’ helped reconnect them to their own sense of youthful hope and intention.  Parents, if there was ever any doubt that their work would translate, I can safely say you can put that concern to rest.  The world gets them…. and is hungry for more.

Thank you for letting me view the world through the lenses of your daughters’ hope.  They see the most beautiful things.  Knowing them is my life’s greatest gift.

Gracias a todas y todos.

Sunday March 6: Tess

 

 

Hey guys, its Tess, just wanted to update you on what we got up to on Sunday!

We woke up bright and early, about 5:45 am. We quickly got dressed and covered ourselves in bug spray in preparation for a long hike through the rain forest. We left the lodge at about 7 with our guide Karin who is originally from Germany, but has lived in the Costa Rican Rainforest for 20 years. She led the way through a windy, narrow, steep path, which gave us a pretty good workout. Every so often she would stop to point out a tree that has been there for 1000 years, or a plant that is used to give you energy or brewed as a tea that cleans your blood. We even saw a tree that is able to move over a long period of time in order to be in an area with more sun or nutrients, cool right??? We didn’t see too many animals unfortunately, but Karin showed us a path that a panther uses to navigate the forest, and sometimes she can sit on the path and the panther will walk right past her.

Our final destination was her home, about an hour’s walk into the forest, which had only one wall and a roof and the rest was completely open. She and her husband built it, along with their guesthouse and kitchen, out of the bamboo they planted in their extravagant garden. We then walked down to the stream that flows next to their house and got right in, rubbing our bodies with the mud and clay that lined the bottom until our skin was perfectly smooth. It was an amazing experience, and none of us wanted to leave, but I did see a poison dart frog on the way back, which made everything better. When we got home at bout 10:15, we were planning on leading a workshop with some parents and teachers, but there was a misunderstanding about times and places and it was cancelled L On the bright side, we were able to have a very productive rehearsal during that time, which made us a little more confident for our upcoming shows!!!! After rehearsal we went to eat lunch at an amazing organic, vegetarian restaurant, and then headed to the beach where we spent the afternoon. It is absolutely beautiful!!!!!! The water is the perfect temperature and the waves are the perfect size to play in without getting scary. We spent a few hours there, took loads of pictures and had a great time. We ate our last dinner at Playa Chiquita that night and it was delicious! We planned on going to bed early because we needed to get up early the next morning to dive 4-5 hours back to San Jose, but that didn’t really happen…whoops!!! I guess we’re on to the next chapter of our trip, rehearsals and performances!! Can’t wait!!!

Saturday, March 5: Kamilah

Saturday March 5:

Hola! It’s Kamilah, with the Saturday update.

So we started the morning off at around 7 or 8 am. We went to the lobby area and ate breakfast (which was delicious). There was fresh fruit, scrambled eggs, bread, and passion fruit juice… yum. After that, we went about a block down the road to the area where all the activities were taking place. It’s constructed like a large hut, and it’s a very open space, so we could look outside and see all the beautiful flowers and birds. Here was where I taught African dance! It was great! It started off being just us Grrrls and a few others, but gradually more people came and it ended up being a full dance floor. Everyone really enjoyed themselves. I taught for about 45 minutes, and then it was time for modern dance with Monica (who also directed the performance of our Norwegian fellow travelers.) She incorporated some really cool visualization and meditation exercises with her dance that all of the grrrls participated in.

After the dance conferences, we went to eat lunch with  four of the local teenage girls. It was really fun and the food was (of course) delicious. We tried our best to communicate with them; us barely speaking Spanish, and them barely speaking English. It turned out pretty well, and we even saw some monkeys on the way home!

Afterward, we went back to Playa Chiquita lodge to make signs for the Womens Day Parade that was later that evening. The signs had all kinds of positive messages on them; “Embrace how brightly you shine”, and “We attract what we vibrate” were just a couple. We walked down the street in the local town (whose name escapes me) dressed in all white, holding our signs and candles, and cheering for the onlookers! After the parade, we sat outside for a dinner of delicious pasta, pita bread, salad, and fresh juice.

All in all, it was a very full day; full of fun, satisfaction, good people, and good food! It’s amazing to see that people support this cause in the USA as well as other places abroad.

Day 1: From Hannah Deegan

With almost 10 hours in the air and roughly 7 hours traipsing around airports (more for poor Chelsey, Asabi, Faso, and Haviland), you would think the journey here would last an eternity, and yet it’s all happened so fast. For some of us, making connections and sleeping on the plane is second nature, but it was Jenna’s first flight since she was a toddler. We almost lost Haviland when she missed her flight to Denver and had to had to make it across the airport in a mere 30 minutes, but the folks at Frontier were saints, and even got her checked bag rushed from Delta so it wouldn’t be left behind.

San Jose feels like something out of a movie– sitting in El Hotel Presidente, eating a lovely breakfast (who knew seasoned rice and beans could be such a delicious start to the day?), we drink amazing coffee and fruit juices and watch the bright colors whirling around us, a man standing right outside, blowing into a wooden whistle that makes the most beautiful bird call. Jen, Tess, and I have been practicing our (rather broken) Spanish, and each of us have changed into our summer attire, ready to travel to Playa Chiquita (a four hour bus ride) tonight where we will be greeted with a bonfire on the beach. Tomorrow we will have the opportunity to meet with teenage girls of the area, bringing a little taste of our GRRRL spirit to them and opening ourselves to learn something from them. When I started ALAG in the summer of 2007, it never crossed my mind that four years later I would be taking my words (and my mediocre Spanish) to somewhere I’d never been before.

The greetings we’ve received in the few hours we’ve been here have been overwhelming– ALAG has become something so habitual in our lives, and I think we often forget how unique this all is, eleven girls from age thirteen to twenty-one, accompanied by five amazing mentors, coexisting so naturally, so comfortably, in a place brand new to all of us. Vali has a talent for attracting the most wonderful coincidences, and it’s hard to believe that an acceptance of a Facebook friend request from Horacio (our guide and founder of ActuaMujer) turned into this– the trip of a lifetime and a crowd of a thousand, a handful of parties in our honor, the ocean and the rainforest, a brand new culture for us to explore together. Of all the things ALAG has gifted to me– a sense of self, the development of my voice, a group of girls and women who have changed my perspective forever– this experience is perhaps the most valuable of all, because with all the confidence and wisdom I’ve acquired in the company of my GRRRL sisters, I am able to enter this adventure with the open heart and level head I need to immerse myself completely in this place I may have never braved otherwise. The people, the sights, the food, and the atmosphere are already amazing us, and the best is yet to come. Much love to our families and friends– know that we’re safe and sound, and having a marvelous time.

March 8th is Act Like a GRRRL Day in Nashville

Metro Council introduced the following resolution on March 1, 2011:

RESOLUTION NO. RS2011-1555

A resolution recognizing March 8th 2011 to be the 100th Anniversary of International Women’s Day and Act Like a GRRRL Day in Nashville.

WHEREAS, women’s artistic, economic, political, and social contributions to Nashville, the nation and the world must be respected and celebrated; and

WHEREAS, we honor our grandmothers, mothers, wives, sisters and daughters when we value the contributions of women and girls in our community; and

WHEREAS, investing in women and girls has a multiplier effect on our community’s productivity, efficiency and sustained economic growth; and

WHEREAS, research indicates that when women have access to education, support and opportunity, they become powerful agents of change in their families, communities and nations; and

WHEREAS, we recognize our role in creating a safer and more expansive future for women and girls; and

WHEREAS, the young women of Nashville’s Act Like a GRRRL program are traveling to Costa Rica to perform their original stories, dances and songs for the Centennial Celebration of the International Women’s Day; and

WHEREAS, in the words of President Barack Obama, we recognize that “only if we teach our daughters that no obstacle is too great for them, that no ceiling can block their ascent, will we inspire them to reach for their highest aspirations and achieve true equality;” and

WHEREAS, the girls of Act Like a GRRRL are demonstrating courage and hope as they embark on an international journey to share their personal stories of empowerment; and

WHEREAS, it is fitting and proper that the Metropolitan Council recognizes March 8th 2011 to be the 100th Anniversary of International Women’s Day and Act Like a GRRRL Day in Nashville.

NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE METROPOLITAN GOVERNMENT OF NASHVILLE AND DAVIDSON COUNTY:

Section 1. The Metropolitan Council hereby goes on record as recognizing March 8th 2011 to be the 100th Anniversary of International Women’s Day and Act Like a GRRRL Day in Nashville.

Section 2. The Metropolitan Council Office is directed to prepare a copy of this Resolution to be presented to Vali Forrister of Actor’s Bridge Ensemble on behalf of the girls in her Act Like a GRRRL program.

Section 3. This Resolution shall take effect from and after its adoption, the welfare of The Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County requiring it.

Sponsored by: Megan Barry

GRRRLS Going Global

In case you aren’t familiar with our little revolution, let me start by saying that Act Like a GRRRL (ALAG) is a program designed to empower young women ages 12-18 to find their voices and speak their truths through autobiographical writing and performance in a supportive environment.

We define a “grrrl” as a strong, independent, creative young woman who stands up for herself and other grrrls. (For a more complete definition of GRRRL, see the post written collaboratively by the grrrls: What Is a G-R-R-R-L?)  We call it a revolution because it counters the cultural messages young women get  that they are each other’s competition and that they shouldn’t trust each other. This keeps them (and grown women) feeling isolated and alone. So, we have created an intentional community of love and support where any thought is okay to share and any story will be heard and respected.

Grrrls are articulate, opinionated thought leaders who have clear plans for their futures. And, for funders, it’s probably important to say that all grrrls in the program remain drug and alcohol free; none have gotten pregnant; none have dropped out of school; and, all who have graduated high school have chosen to go to college.

On March 8, 2011, eleven of the grrrls of ALAG will be featured performers at a Gala celebrating the 100th Anniversary of International Women’s Day in San Jose, Costa Rica. Organized by ACTUA MUJER and the Vice-ministerio de Juventud de Costa Rica, the Gala will include performing artists from  Norway, Germany, Argentina, Canada, Mexico and other countries coming together in this festival to empower women and girls worldwide.  Events are scheduled from March 6-8, culminating with the Act Like a GRRRL performance.  In addition to performing their original monologues, songs and dances, the ALAG grrrls will participate in workshops to exchange experiences with young women their age (12-18).

This inaugural festival grew out of my visit to San Jose last summer where I met with leaders from ACTUA MUJER, the Vice-ministerio de Juventud, UNICEF and the UNFPA, all of whom were interested in how to translate the Act Like a GRRRL model in Costa Rica, where empowering young women is a crucial initiative of all these agencies. Research shows that when women have access to education and empowerment, their towns become more successful and their nations become more secure.  Strong women create stronger communities. For that reason, Secretary of State Hilary Clinton calls the empowerment of women and girls “a cornerstone of our foreign policy.”

The Festival in Costa Rica is the beginning of an ongoing process to find ways to use the arts to end violence against women and increase access to healthcare and education for women worldwide.

We appreciate your support, good wishes, prayers and strong vibes as we embark on this new adventure.