Adolescence, the awkward transition period between childhood and adulthood, gives girls a choice to assert themselves or conceal themselves. The latter may be easier than the former when girls’ body and personality changes intersect with oppressive norms and gender stereotyping perpetuated in social circles and the media. Their fear of standing out or being inadequate is enough to silence their voices … unless they’ve developed courage as a behavioral response. Courage is considered the foundational virtue of every other virtue. Aristotle called courage “the first human virtue.” Poet Maya Angelou declared, “Courage is the most important of all the virtues,... Read More