♥ Mothers (Tove)

"It's interesting how you, without really noticing it, become just as your mum. It's slowly coming to you the older you get and I guess you can't avoid it. Once, I stood and waited for a train and it struck me that I was standing just as my mom often stands. Another time, when I was talking, it struck me that I used the same expressions as she does. When I have friends for dinner, I almost force them to eat a lot and take more food, just as my mom does. Though, I don't know if I really mind, it's quite amusing when I think of it. I guess that I also got a lot more from her that I don't notice so specific, e.g. her kindness, her consideration and her strength."

Tove

Girls & Books (Tove)

"I think every girl should read something by Jane Austen, preferably Pride and Prejudice first published in 1813. Jane writes about a time in English history when it was really difficult being a girl, everything was about finding man you could first and foremost marry for money so that he could support you. Still, in almost every book, the main character is a strong and powerful woman trying to be as independent as possible.

And when you've read the book, don't miss the BBC mini-series from 1995 with Jennifer Ehle and Colin Firth. :)"

Tove

+ Feel free to enjoy also quotes from works of wonderful Jane.

Empowerment recipes (Tove)

"What really empowers me are my girlfriends. I feel privileged to have such strong, beautiful and intelligent women around me. They are all very certain females!"

Tove

Girls & Education (Tove)

"I was about 9 year old when I started reading English at school. As I guess everyone does when you’re that age, we sang songs for children in English to learn the language better. I especially remember one song that went like this:

Do you like my car?
Yes sir!
Do you like my car?
Yes sir, yes sir!
Do you like my car?
Yes, sir, it’s a beautiful car!

Do you like my dress?
Yes miss!
Do you like my dress?
Yes miss, yes miss!
Do you like my dress?
Yes, miss, it’s a beautiful dress!

Quite silly and pointless song and I didn’t really thought of the lyrics until I got older. What I really love with being a girl in 2010 is that nowadays it’s OK for me to have a car and it’s ok for me to ask: do you like my car?

Though, still it’s not really ok for a boy to have a dress and ask: do you like my dress? But hopefully we get there someday."

Tove, YSAFE Steering Committee member

First takes: Tove

YSAFE Steering Committee member Tove sharing on what to do at moments when being a girl might not be that amazing.