The Girl Effect. My Pledge.

While walking along a beach, an elderly gentleman saw someone in the distance leaning down, picking something up and throwing it into the ocean.

As he got closer, he noticed that the figure was that of a young man, picking up starfish one by one and tossing each one gently back into the water.

He came closer still and called out, "Good morning! May I ask what it is that you are doing?"

The young man paused, looked up, and replied "Throwing starfish into the ocean."

The old man smiled, and said, "I must ask, then, why are you throwing starfish into the ocean?"

To this, the young man replied, "The sun is up and the tide is going out. If I don't throw them in, they'll die."

Upon hearing this, the elderly observer commented, "But, young man, do you not realize that there are miles and miles of beach and there are starfish all along every mile? You can't possibly make a difference!"

The young man listened politely. Then he bent down, picked up another starfish, threw it into the back into the ocean past the breaking waves and said, "It made a difference for that one."

I don't remember who first told me this story when I was a little girl, but I have never forgotten this story or the message. In fact I have retold the story a few times to other people. Its one of my favorites.

I recently saw an Oprah show that inspired me. Now I will be the first to admit that I've seen several Oprah shows and have seen the stories of countless compassionate people who inspire to make the world a better place. I have often thought that those people were amazing and that I wish I could do something like that. To have that much passion for a cause.

In the past I generally only made donations when friends were participating in a charitable event. And there was the only summer were I began to fill out an application for the Peace Corps, but didn't have the guts to go through with it. Needless to say I have considered doing lots of good, great things, but have never quite come around to doing them. So it is time for me to change, for me to do something, anything.

Today I watched The Girl Effect, a simple, yet striking video. I encourage you to watch it. The statistics told on the site are astonishing. I have decided that this will be my something.

My Pledge:

I pledge to make a donation each and every month to help a girl. Whether it is to buy a school uniform so that a young girl maybe educated; to purchase a midwife kit for the safe delivery of a baby; or to keep a safe house for women for one night.

I would like to thank you for reading. I know that everyone gets up on their soap box from time to time and this was my time. I don't mean to impose my beliefs or to burden anyone with these thoughts. However, if you are feeling inspired and would like to join me in helping the world of women one starfish at a time please do!

I will use the For All Women Registry to make my donation this month.

Thank You!