The Girls of KIND Campaign
In 2009, two friends from Pepperdine University recognized a problem and decided to do something about it. This August, Kendra Scott is partnering with KIND Campaign in an effort to prevent girl-on-girl crime. Get to know Lauren Parsekian and Molly Thompson, the founders of KIND Campaign and learn how KIND Campaign works to spread awareness and healing against the harmful effects of bullying.
Want to give back to this impactful cause? This month, Kendra Scott will donate 20% of proceeds from the online sale of our signature Danielle, Elle, Alexandra and Alex Earrings in White Mother-of-Pearl to Kind Campaign. Shop now through August 31, and join us in spreading kindness!
Tell us the story of how you started Kind Campaign.
Lauren: For me, middle school was a really tough few years. I was bullied relentlessly, and ever since that experience, I knew I wanted to do something to start a conversation about the reality of girl-against-girl “crime.” Molly and I met through our film courses at Pepperdine and I sat down with Molly to share this idea with her, along with my own history and why I felt so compelled to sweep this topic out from under the rug. Molly immediately connected because she too (like every woman) had a life defining chapter with a group of girls in high school. Once we got going, our ideas, passion and determination took over and what started as a documentary grew into a movement and evolved at a rapid pace.
What inspired you to start the movement?
Lauren Molly: We became inspired to turn our film into an international movement and non-profit when we started shooting interviews for our documentary, Finding Kind. Back in 2009, bullying was not a national conversation, so we had no idea how women and girls would open up about their experiences on camera. Seeing how open and vulnerable girls were being and how heartbreaking their stories were, really pushed us to do something more than just a film. We began dreaming up ideas for school assemblies, curriculum and national tours and we realized the revolution we could create as two 22 year old girls to change the world for the better.
What few pieces of advice do you have for young girls who deal with “girl against girl violence” every day?
1. There Is So Much Ahead Of You.
In the short years I have been out of middle and high school, there are already so many lessons and pieces of advice that I wish I could tell my younger self. First of all, please know that your school experience is NOT your entire world. This is just one chapter of your life story. There is so much ahead of you…adventures you will go on, people you will meet, relationships you will develop…middle and high school are just one fraction of your total experience.
2. Everyone Has A Story.
That girl who everyone calls a “slut” or that boy who shoves other boys into the lockers to make himself feel more in control…they have a story just like you. It’s so important to be kind and respectful to others because the things that we say and do can have effects on someone based on experiences going on in their life that you may not know about.
3. Don’t Be A Bystander.
I know when you are in school it may seem scary to stand up for others. However, if you do stand up for people, you will look back on this short chapter of your life and be so proud of yourself. Standing up for someone doesn’t necessarily mean getting in the middle of some big dramatic fight. You can literally change someone’s life by just reaching out.
4. We Are Not All Going To Be Best Friends.
You are not going to get along with everyone and everyone isn’t going to get along with you, and its important to know that thats okay. Have enough respect for yourself and the people around you to recognize that we are all unique and different and because of that beautiful fact, we are not all going to want to hang out and be close to each other.
5. Use Technology Wisely.
Everything you put on the internet is permanent. Know that whatever you text or write in a Facebook message is going to have just as much affect on the person as if you were saying it to their face. Respect yourself online. Respect others online. It’s called the World Wide Web because the moment you click “send” or “post” its there for the world to access and see if they want to.
6. Join Extra Curricular Activities.
When we are in middle and high school, we are forced to see the same people every day. If you join an extra curricular group, you will begin to meet people more like-minded to you and when things get hard at school, you can rest assured knowing there is a separate group of friends that you have through your extra curricular activities.
7. Ask For Help.
When anything in your life feels bigger than yourself, don’t be afraid to ask for help. It is so important to find an adult in your life that you can confide in. If you can find one person to open up to and process some of these harder times, it will make your school experience so much more enjoyable.
8. Write A Letter.
It’s important to let others know how they are making you feel so when that times comes, I advise writing a letter. It gives you the chance to take your time and say everything you need to say in a thoughtful way.
9. Apologize.
We are not perfect. We are all going to mess up. If and when you hurt someone’s feelings, have enough courage to say ‘Im Sorry.’ Apologizing is not only healing for the person you are saying sorry too, but it will be healing for you as well.
