National Women’s Friendship Month
Friendship Circle Wraps Around the Globe
Beginning this September, National Women’s Friendship Month will be celebrated by girls and women around the world! The celebration has gained recognition on an international stage with the support of CARE, a leading humanitarian organization that recently joined the Confidence Coalition.
“Even though girls and women around the world speak different languages and are faced with very different issues, at the core they are the same,” says Melanie Schild, KD executive director. “They have dreams and aspirations. They want a safe place to live and raise their families. They provide each other support to live the lives they imagine. We are happy to join with girls and women worldwide through friendship and caring.”
What began in 1999 as National Women’s Friendship Day changed to a monthlong celebration in September 2009. The name will officially change to International Women’s Friendship Month in 2011. In addition, the first-ever celebration of National Girls Day will take place Nov. 14 of this year, with the name changing to International Girls Day in 2011. A number of Confidence Coalition partners will recognize these celebrations with confidence-building events and awareness projects.
NWFM Suggestions for Alumnae
KD alumnae chapters are encouraged to celebrate National Women’s Friendship Month by incorporating the theme of confidence in one of two ways:
The “You Make Me Smile” campaign is designed to bring a smile to any woman’s face. Confidence-boosting messages are handwritten on blue balloons and then given to women and girls. These can be distributed in a public location or during a special event. For information on purchasing balloons with the Confidence Coalition logo send an e-mail to confidencecoalition@kappadelta.org.
Through the “Go Confidently” handbag collection, your alumnae chapter can help women and girls “carry confidence” with them. Ask alumnae to bring new or gently used handbags to your NWFM event, and then donate the bags to a local women’s shelter, women’s foundation, Girl Scout council or other organization that shares KD’s goal of increasing self-confidence in women and girls.
Don’t forget to share your activities with other KDs! Send your NWFM news and photos to kdnews@kappadelta.org. For more information on National Women’s Friendship Month visit www.womensfriendshipmonth.com.