Dove Self-Esteem Fund ~ Support the Beauty in all of us!

I know my girls are beautiful, though day and night in appearance my daughters possess a beauty that emanates from within and it is this true beauty, beauty defined in more ways than what society dictates as physical perfection that Dove wants girls to know! The Dove Self-Esteem Fund {DSEF} has been changing the definition of beauty, widening it until it has encompassed the diversity of beauty which is true, authentic and real! Dove has reached over two million young girls globally through their self-esteem programming but they want to extend this goal further to reach more than 5 million girls in 2010.

A 2008 U.S. National Report on the State of Self-esteem shockingly revealed that 75% of girls with low self-esteem reported engaging in negative and potentially harmful activities, such as disordered eating, cutting, bullying, smoking or drinking, when feeling badly about themselves. It also indicated that 7 in 10 girls believe they are not good enough or do not measure up in some way including their looks, performance in school, and relationships!

Dove has been known for its Redefining Beauty Campaign which has been working to teach all woman that what our media rich society perceives as beauty is wrong; That youth, "perfection", slim yet hourglass shaped figures may not be the ideal of beauty but rather just one of its many facets, one of its many manifestations! From smile lines to smooth complexions, from voluptuous figures to waif-like whimsy beauty comes in many forms. The DSEF is working to spread this message to those who require it most, young girls! If girls are exposed to and armed with this message of self-esteem early it will change the face of beauty forever. It will provide confidence for girls and women which will last throughout their lifetimes and with any luck this empowerment will create a social shift, a shift in society's preconceived and misguided concepts of beauty and reality!

It's a task of enormity but it can be done, Dove believes and we should too! You may be wondering how this effects you and what you can do to help spread this valuable message. Dove has provided the tools any mother, daughter, volunteer, girl's group leader, teacher, in fact anyone can use to continue the work of the DSEF. The Dove Self-Esteem Fund website offers downloads of the "True You: Mother/Daughter Self-Esteem Guide", a Train-the-Trainer Manual on leading your own "Dove Self-Esteem Fund Workshop", and the Girl Scouts "Uniquely Me" workshop facilitator's guide. Dove also provides an Online Workshop, complete with quizzes and interesting facts, perfect for any girl to participate in regardless of workshop availability in her area!

Dove wants to get Northern Mama readers started along the path to supporting Self-Esteem awareness by providing the gift of a luxurious Dove Bath Robe and a copy of Dove's "True You" activity guide for Mothers and Daughters! Mothers and mother figures are the most important influences in their daughters' lives. You can help your daughters or other special girls in your life to find the courage to feel beautiful in a world which may challenge their values!
To Enter:

• Visit the Dove Self-Esteem Fund site and tell me something you learned or something which impressed you about the DSEF {Required}
• non-bloggers may enter but please leave your email address with your comment.

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Remember to leave separate comments for each entry!
Giveaway open to US and Canadian residents. Giveaway closes January 2nd 2010, 10:00pm CT. Read Giveaway Rules for further details.