By The Bel: Interview with Lauren Galley from Girls Above Society
Lauren Galley, Teen Mentor, Actress, Model and President of Girls Above Society transitioned from her high school AP program to college at age 16 embarking on a journey driven to create an anchor of empowerment for teen girls. Launching (at age 17) Girls Above Society gives Lauren the platform of teen to teen mentor-ship combined with film visuals creating a social media movement.
As a voice to young teen girls, Lauren has been heard on Fox News, Best Ever You Radio, and as a Co-Host on the UK Radio Show “Tabloid Talk”. Her writing has appeared in International Talent Magazine, Babble, Talented Teens, Living Intentionally, and THINK covering issues of the many pressures young teens are facing in today’s society.
Lauren has recently been named Chief Teen Mentor for Best Ever Teens Website, a development of the Best Ever You Network. As an actress Lauren has also been seen on ABC Family’s “The Lying Game” and National Commercials such as FOX Sports and Jarritos. To book Lauren for a speaking engagement or a “Girl Talk” contact: girlsabovesociety@att.net
Belinda: This afternoon I finished watching the documentary Bully. It focused on the failure of ‘the system’ when it comes to bullying, teen violence and verbal abuse. It barely touched upon the damage that exclusion can have on a person. Girls in particular use exclusion as a way to show dominance and status in the school yard. What message would you have for anyone being excluded, and to someone who witnesses someone else being excluded from a social situation?
Lauren: Being excluded can leave girls with many negative feelings. A Clique of girls will exclude others to show dominance, importance, and the desire to be exclusive psychologically makes one think it must be an amazing group, there’s only a few, so I want to be a part of it. Girls being excluded are left with the feeling “I’m not good enough”. They feel they don’t measure up due to the fact they aren’t pretty enough, popular enough, etc… Girls who put themselves in cliques are full of insecurities and feel the need to “create” a world in which they are special. I remind girls to surround themselves with friends who have the same interests, morals, and values. That clique of popular girls might seem like the best thing ever, but if you really watch and observe, they have closed themselves to so many great, talented, smart girls they will never have the chance to get to know because they are basing their group on popularity and looks. Those Popular girls won’t be popular after that school term and everyone moves on…. Observing someone being excluded would be my cue to go meet that person. Chances are they are the type of person I would want to be friends with!! My friends don’t judge me for my looks, or popularity and I’m very grateful for that ~ I’m not the popular girl and I feel like I have so much more than any girl in a clique!!
Belinda: Cameron Russell made fantastic points in her October 2012 TED talk called Looks aren’t everything. Believe me I’m a model. Do you think the message would have had as much impact if it were presented by a ‘nobody’ in society, and why do you think society is less tolerant of people who are physically ‘different’?
Lauren: The message Cameron gave was received with great impact because of who she is and how she looks. A “nobody” wouldn’t have a chance to drive home this message. We live in a super-driven media society 24/7, that has the power of trending what is “perfect”. Branding a product is now driven by women and men who exemplify the look of perfection. Sex sells … A perfectly normal size 10 girl will never sell a swimsuit because she is not considered sexy enough. Magazine covers, commercials, billboards, and Celebrity News all scream “This is Beautiful!” People are more and more defined by what they look like, not who they are and what they represent. Being physically different in today’s society means you aren’t good enough. My message to teen girls is similar to Cameron’s ~ BU. There’s No One Else Like It”.
Belinda: There is a trend on YouTube of young girls (and boys) asking the global community via their videos to tell them if they’re beautiful or dateable. What do you think are the biggest dangers with a trend such as this?
Lauren: This trend is an attention getting monster! After the girls (and boys) put up the video, they will then obsess over how many likes, comments, etc … they get. Receiving no comments will then cause further low self esteem (that’s why they put it up in the first place, right? They are wondering if they really do look good) which can lead to depression, self-harm, and many times suicide. This simple video has such a negative impact that comes full circle. The girls who get many likes and comments will then feel being sexy is a way to get boys attention, which can lead to being pressured to engage in activities they normally wouldn’t. They put up the video. The guys like it. Now what? This attention-getting idea is defining who they are by what they look like on the outside, not who they are on the inside.
Belinda: How can people get on board with your organization Girls above Society?
Lauren: My ultimate goal for Girls Above Society is to have girls all over the world giving “Girl Talks”. I have a blog and would love for teen girls to send me their stories and/or thoughts on how today’s media-driven society affects them. My monthly Magazine “Girl Power” features a Girl of the Month. I’m always looking for that great role model to feature. Sending in your stories could get you featured in the magazine. I really love communicating with teens today so follow me on Twitter @LaurenMGalley and connect with me through www.girlsabovesociety.org You can purchase a Girls Above Society bracelet for $1.00 with all proceeds going towards “Girl Talks”.
