Leading Rebels

Through receiving a Fulbright scholarship, Courtney got a window into how you can make a real impact into a young person’s life with just a little bit of guidance and attention. This was part of what inspired her to cofound Youthbridge, an award-winning peace building program. Over time, she also noticed that the messages girls receive about who they can be and what they can be are so narrow, which is why she decided to cofound Girls Gearing Up, Europe’s only international girls’ leadership and empowerment network.

Tune in to this episode to hear Courtney discuss:

• The importance of having female role models
• Showing young women that following their passion is the right path
• Girls learning they aren’t too young to be important or be a leader
• How mentoring lets women reflect and gain insights from their own journey
• How being a mentor influences how you act everyday
• How you can be a role model for the girls in your life
• The necessity for a community where you are accepted to gain confidence

Courtney’s recommended resources

For exposing girls (and boys!) to diverse female role models:

• Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls by Elena Favilli & Francesca Cavallo
• Women in Science & Women in Sports by Rachel Ignotofsky
• Little Leaders by Vashti Harrison
• Marley Dias Gets It Done by by Marley Dias
• 1000 Black Girl Books Resource Guide
• A Mighty Girl’s book section
• Goodread’s Strong Girls Book Lists

Platforms promoting positivity and gender equality:

• Amy Poehler’s Smart Girls
• I Am That Girl
• A Mighty Girl
• Half the Sky Movement

Originally from California, Courtney came to Europe 20 years ago as a Fulbright scholar. Since then, she has called Vienna, Prague, and a rural village in France home. She is the Co-Founder and Co-Director of Girls Gearing Up, Europe’s only international girls’ leadership and empowerment network. Previously, she co-founded and directed Youthbridge, an award-winning peace building program working with youth in the post-conflict Balkans. Additionally, she has held key roles in market research, project management, and process development at international companies. Courtney loves people, cultures, languages, reading about badass women, and supporting teen girls as they recognize their amazing potential.

Girls Gearing Up is Europe’s only international leadership network for girls. Through their Summer Leadership Academy and year-round workshops in Berlin, GGU equips diverse teen girls from all over the world with the confidence, skills, and network they need to become the next generation of globally minded female leaders. Over the past three years, Girls Gearing Up has impacted the lives of over 200 girls and their communities from 25 countries around the world. They have introduced participants to 40 Power Mentors – female leaders in a wide variety of fields – who share valuable insights and lessons learned from their personal and professional journeys. After the Academy, 100% of Girls Gearing Up participants say they want to make a positive mark in their community AND they know how to do it.

Learn more about Girls Gearing Up: Girls Gearing Up | Facebook | Instagram