Girls Rule!!

Hello all you inspiring Actionists!

I am going to keep this month's newsletter short and sweet because I am in the midst of packing for a very special trip and it has to do with this announcement I've been teasing you about for months....(drum roll please)

I am the new Global Ambassador for the Dove Self-Esteem Fund and will be kicking off a very special media tour introducing our campaign to the US beginning the week of October 2nd. What does this mean?? Well, it means I am joining forces with this amazing brand and reaching out to girls to talk to them about how the entertainment industry impacts their body image and self-esteem. This campaign is NOT tied to a product but rather is an extension of Dove's Campaign For Real Beauty that is dedicated to helping women and girls feel more beautiful in their lives. 

You know, I spend a lot of time on national TV discussing the pressure of Hollywood and the media on girl's self-esteem and body image and I do it for a reason (not because I love to debate about Britney Spears!). I do it because I feel like we are living in a time where the media is irresponsibly portraying the lives of young girls in the way they cover them in tabloids and entertainment news programs. It breaks my heart to see us bash or break down the body image of celebrities just because we think we can. This has a trickle down impact on the way girls see themselves and each other. We have to do something now to break this cycle and the thin we can begin doing is talking about it - so that is why this Dove campaign and some of the activities forthcoming are very exciting to me - we will have a platform and an opportunity to really elevate this conversation and get the whole country involved! 

 So, I urge all of you to go to www.campaignforrealbeauty.com and click on "Dove Self-Esteem Fund" to find out more about how you can get involved with our outreach. There will be workshops offered locally and for educators and grass roots groups who work with girls and self-esteem there will be tools available online for you to download and use in your community. Moms - this is a great resource for you as well - so everyone check it out!!

With Jess is also looking for 4 Real Girls between the ages of 15 - 17 who are outspoken about body image and Hollywood and want to share their opinions with other teens in an online community. There is a $5,000.00 scholarship for each girl selected to participate in this incredible event.

If you are interested in nominating your daughter or if you are a teen out there who wants to get more info - send an e mail to stephanie.talent@hotmail.com. Parental/Guardian Consent Is Required!! Must be available for filming on 10/20/07, 11/10/07, and 12/8/07

Erin Rules!!

In keeping with our girl's rule theme of this month - I have a fantastic Actionist to introduce you to. Her name is Erin Weed and she is a superstar in the self-esteem, empowerment, and women's self-defense world. An unfortunate and tragic incident propelled Erin into the world of teaching women to defend and protect themselves both physically and emotionally from attackers. Erin teaches much more than self-defense - she teaches women how to value their bodies and celebrate being strong, smart women and girls. She is a young woman with an old soul and a huge heart. I've been a fan of hers for years and now she is not only our featured Actionist but also our newest member of Team Jess. So check out her work on our site and by all means - pick up her book "Girls Fight Back" - also our featured reading this month - and empower you or someone you love today!

I know I close each newsletter by saying thank you to you for your support - but truly, your kindness, your sweet (and silly) e mails, and your hugs after I meet you on the road truly keep me going. I will never be able to fully express to you all just how much your encouragement and love mean to me.

I am very excited to see what unfolds this fall through our new Dove campaign as we activate all of you - the true Actionists taking a stand in your everyday lives! Just watch out world - we are going to ignite a revolution!!

Love and light,
Jess

Girls Fight Back! The College Girl's Guide to Protecting Herself

-Erin Weed

You're leaving for college and the family minivan is packed to the gills with your stuff.  On the brain are good times, parties, new friends…and oh yeah, classes too. College is a blast, but it's a good idea to get informed on how to stay safe and strong while on campus. Girls Fight Back will show you how to trust your intuition, avoid bad situations, and if necessary, defend yourself.  You will learn practical and empowering strategies for walking on campus at night, dating, partying, traveling and living on your own.
 
Topics covered in the book include:
*What attackers look for in their victims

*How to understand and act upon intuitive warning signals

*Securing your dorm, apartment or house from break-ins

*Ways to avoid stalking, date rape, dating violence

*Self-protection strategies that anyone can master

*Facts about date rape drugs, and other safe partying tips

*Ideas for campus activism to end violence against women

To purchase this book please go to Amazon.com or ShopGFB.

Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass. It's about learning how to dance in the rain.

— Author Unknown

Connecting with Jess!

September 29, 2007
Jess, Dove, and O Magazine
O You! Event
Miami, Florida
www.omagazine.info/oyou

October 4, 2007
The Texas Conference for Women
Austin, Texas
www.txconferenceforwomen.org

October 5, 2007
NEDA Conference 2007
San Diego, California
www.nationaleatingdisorders.org

October 23-25, 2007
Teen Power Conference
New York, New York
Click here for more information

November 8, 2007
Pennsylvania Governor's Conference for Women
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Click here for more information

December 11, 2007
The Massachusetts Conference for Women
Boston, Massachusetts
http://www.maconferenceforwomen.org
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Amazing Casting Opportunity

Jessica Weiner, the "Queen of Self-Esteem" is looking for REAL TEENAGE GIRLS to tell it like it is for a ground-breaking online event.

Are you between 15 and 17 years old?
Are you willing to talk candidly about body image and self-esteem?

Then we are looking for you!!

Send an email with a recent photo of yourself along with a brief description of how Hollywood impacts your body image and self-esteem to stephanie.talent@hotmail.com. There is a $5,000.00 scholarship for each girl selected to participate.

Parental/Guardian Consent Is Required!!
Must be available for filming on 10/20/07, 11/10/07, and 12/8/07
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What's on Jess's mind...
Are you curious about what's on Jess's mind lately? Be sure to read Jess's Blog to find out!

If you or someone you know would like to be a guest blogger on Jess's blog, please send your blog entry along with a 2 sentence bio about the writer to info@withjess.com.

** The topics are open - just keep in mind the goal of the site and Jess's work is to promote conversation and action**

Jess is so 21st Century...
Check out Jess's My Space page to read her blog, send her a comment, and connect with other amazing people making a difference in the world!

Jess has some advice for you...
Log on to www.mary-kateandashley.com to read Jess's advice in the "Real Girls, Real Advice" column. Jess has joined forces with Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen, as the syndicated advice columnist for their web site.

Actionist™ Wear!

Remember to check out our online store! You can express your Actionism with t-shirts, hoodies, mugs, stickers and there is much more to come. Click here to check it out!

Book Jess in 2007!

Book Jess for your upcoming events in 2007 now and receive $500.00 off the total cost of program fees. Send your email to rebecca@withjess.com to find out what dates are still available.

1. Someone who motivates and inspires people to take action in their everyday lives.

2. Someone of any age, race, class, and gender who wants to walk their talk out in the world and lead by example.

3. Someone willing to do what it takes to make a difference in their lives and in the world at large.

Our Featured Actionist™ this month is...

Erin Weed
Speaker. Author. Fighter.

Erin Weed is a professional speaker, author, violence prevention advocate and self-defense instructor. She specializes in educating people about their personal safety and motivating them to become their own best protectors. Her calling to the field of violence prevention and self-defense began in 2001 as a direct response to the murder of her friend and sorority sister, Shannon McNamara. After Shannon’s death, Erin abandoned her career in TV production to study with some of the best anti-violence activists, personal safety specialists and self-defense experts in the world. In January 2002, she began traveling the nation giving keynotes and seminars in schools and businesses across the nation on a full-time basis. To date, she has spoken to hundreds of thousands of people with her uplifting, humorous and empowering message of staying safe from violence and finding peace in the process.

Erin is a certified instructor by the American Women’s Self Defense Association as well as a certified R.A.D. (Rape Aggression Defense) Instructor. She is a graduate of Street Smart Self Defense for Women (Model Mugging), Prepare Inc. (IMPACT) of New York City, a Confined Area Survival Tactics instructor by the Modern Warrior Academy and a Certified Personal Trainer by the National Academy of Sports Medicine. Erin is a graduate of the Gavin de Becker & Associates Advanced Threat Assessment Academy. Her academy training includes: Advanced Concepts of Violence Prediction and Assessment, Intuition Studies, Terrorism, School Shootings, Criminal Profiles, Creative Case Management, Bomb Threat Assessment, Risk Management Development, Managing Victim Fear and Violence in the Workplace.

Erin began the writing aspect of her career as a personal safety columnist during 2004-2005 at CosmoGirl magazine. Her first book, Girls Fight Back! The College Girl’s Guide to Protecting Herself (Boulder Press), was released in bookstores nationwide in September 2006. She is currently working on her next two books: Women Fight Back! (November 2007) and Teens Fight Back! (February 2008) Erin’s writing is regularly featured in e-zines, online journals, blogs and national media.

Erin has been featured in media including: The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Chicago Tribune, Marie Claire, Glamour Magazine, Ladies Home Journal and was named “CosmoGirl of the Year 2002” by CosmoGirl magazine. She was the safety expert on CNN’s Paula Zahn Now in March 2006. In September 2006 she was a guest on the Fox Newschannel legal news show, “The Lineup,” giving safety advice for college students and their parents.

Erin is a graduate of Eastern Illinois University, with a B.A. in Speech Communication and a minor in Public Relations. She was awarded the Eastern Illinois University Young Alumnus of the Year Award in 2003 and was honored with the “Hometown Hero” award by John Walsh (founder of America’s Most Wanted) on NBC’s The John Walsh Show. Also in 2006, Erin was named “30 Under 30” by New Jersey Monthly magazine, and was the recipient of the Joel Goldman Award for professional speaking excellence. In 2007, she was a top 5 finalist for both “Speaker of the Year” and “Best Female Performer” by Campus Activities Magazine. Erin is a member of the National Speakers Association, Rotary Club International and Alpha Phi Fraternity. In her free time, Erin’s hobbies include: writing, traveling, yoga, Krav Maga and triathlon. She lives in Colorado with her husband and pug, Zoe.

To learn more about Erin please visist girlsfightback.org, erinweed.com, or erinweed.blogspot.com

To learn more about Erin's book Girls Fight Back! The College Girl's Guide to Protecting Herself please visit Amazon.com

Wanna be empowered with great ways to take action in your everyday life?

Ways to Take Action

1. If you’re at a loss for new words that make you feel positive, try writing down a wish list of traits you admire in others. 

2. This one’s simple but true:  Remember that everyday actions and relationships cause a ripple effect out in the world, so practice being kind, and ask someone else to pass it on

3. Assess your own belief system.  Discover if you’re taking on others’ viewpoints or giving yourself an opportunity to craft you won.  Try writing down an opinion inventory, which can be broad and basic, silly or deep:  what are your thoughts on friendship, political issues, or even doing the laundry?  You may be amazed to discover that you have different opinions than your parents or friends do.

Small steps of action can make a great change!

Also, be sure to check out the Ways to Take Action section of our web site.