Author’s note: When I first wrote A Girl’s Bill of Rights, I didn’t imagine it would one day become a picture book. That first version was written as a kind of pledge, meant only for myself. I believe that words have power and that pledges are especially powerful, particularly when taken sincerely and from the heart. I was thrilled to be able to turn my pledge into a book for girls. I know it helped me to become more assertive, and I hope it helps you as well.
Stand with your hand over your heart, and say:
I Have the Right!
I have the right to like what I like
And love what I love.
I have the right to change my mind
And the right to speak my truth.
I have the right to feel what I feel
And the right to make mistakes.
I have the right to choose my friends
And the right to say “STOP!”
Because it is NEVER OK to hurt me.
Not ever!
I have the right to be bold
And mighty
And LOUD!
I have the right to be silly
And awkward
And PROUD!
I have the right
To decide who I’ll be.
Because I absolutely always
Have the right to be ME!
Full Text Version
(Because let’s face it, we adults need to take this pledge, too. Women, stand up and repeat after me!)
I have the right to like what I like,
And love what I love.
I have the right to look how I look
And wear what I wear
And do whatever I want with my hair.
I have the right to think for myself
And choose for myself,
To say “Yes!” if I want something,
And “No,” if I don’t,
And the right to change my mind.
I have the right to speak my truth,
Even if someone doesn’t want to hear it.
I have the right to feel what I feel, every moment,
Even if it makes someone uncomfortable.
I have the right to laugh,
and the right to cry.
I have the right to feel scared,
and the right to get mad.
I have the right to make mistakes.
Even big ones.
And the right to forgive myself.
I have the right to choose my friends,
And the right to decide who gets a hug,
Or a high five
Or a smile
And who doesn’t.
If someone is hurting or disrespecting me,
I have the right to say “STOP!”
And even the right to SCREAM it!
Because it is NOT OK to hurt me.
Or anyone.
Not ever.
I have the right to be bold
And mighty
And LOUD!
And the right to be silly
And awkward
And PROUD!
I have the right to decide who I’ll be,
For now,
for tomorrow,
And forever.
Because most of all,
No matter what,
I absolutely always
Have the right to be ME.
We all do!
