The future is female—but what if the present was too? Raising strong, confident girls is more important than ever as they navigate a world that still questions their capabilities. Here are a few ways to inspire our Generation Alpha girls to be the changemakers their foremothers were.
Empowered Girls Start with Empowered Stories
Books are one of the best ways to introduce my daughters to strong, smart, and fearless women. I want them to see girls who solve problems, break barriers, and chase big dreams. We read about real-life activists like Ruby Bridges and Ruth Bader Ginsburg, as well as brave fictional characters like Ada Twist, Scientist, and Anne of Green Gables. These stories show them that girls can be anything—leaders, inventors, changemakers. I love when they see themselves in these pages and start asking big questions about the world around them.
Courageous Characters Create Courageous Girls
What my girls watch is just as important as what they read. The right movies and shows shape how they see themselves and what they believe they’re capable of. We love films like Moana, Encanto, and Brave, where the girls don’t wait to be saved—they lead, fight for what’s right, and believe in themselves.
Last year, my oldest daughter wanted to be Wonder Woman for Halloween instead of a princess. She was so excited to be strong and fierce, proudly wielding her golden lasso and shield. Nothing made me prouder than seeing her light up at the idea of being a hero—someone who stands up for others and fights for justice. Moments like that remind me why representation matters. I make it a point to talk with my girls about the characters they admire, asking, “What did she do that was brave?” or “How did she use her voice?” I want them to see that strength comes in many forms—kindness, intelligence, courage—and that they have it within them, too.
Real Women. Real Stories. Real Inspiration.
Beyond books and movies, I want my daughters to know that strong women aren’t just in stories—they’re everywhere. We talk about scientists, activists, and athletes who never gave up, even when the odds were against them. As a former soccer player, I often share the U.S. Women’s National Team’s fight for equal pay and how its players continue pushing for progress, even when they won’t personally benefit. Over the past few years, we’ve spent many nights watching farewell games as these trailblazers retired, celebrating the legacy they’ve built. My girls proudly wear the jerseys of Alex Morgan, Ali Krieger, and Megan Rapinoe—not just for their talent on the field but for the barriers they’ve broken and the path they’ve paved for future generations.
But role models don’t have to be famous—I also want them to look up to the strong women in their own lives—their teachers, their aunts (a pharmacist, a marketing strategist, and a teacher, and one is the president of her company), and even the neighbor who serves on the city council. I want them to see that strength isn’t just about big achievements—it’s about using your voice, standing up for what’s right, and lifting others up along the way.
When girls grow up surrounded by stories of powerful women, inspiring role models, and real-life examples of courage and integrity, they learn to stand up, speak out, and believe in their own power. I hope that by filling their world with these influences, my daughters will always know their voices matter and that they, too, can make a difference.
