Testimonials
FROM MISS AMERICA 2008…
To All Visitors to Beyond Beauty for Girls:
I’m so glad you’ve found this website! Since there is so much media to be consumed that propagates an unrealistic standard of beauty, as Miss America 2008, I am proud to commend Lindsay for her work in encouraging and empowering young women (you!) through the creation of this online haven and information treasure trove! As one person alone, it can be hard to fight the pressure to look a “certain way,” to see our diet culture as normal, and to equate thinness or beauty with success and self-worth. United, however, women can choose to combat these messages, take back our souls, and change this world with our minds, our character, our wit, and our grace. To be a woman is to hold some of the greatest power in this world. To be YOU is to offer talents, skills, and abilities that only one person on this planet possesses. Instead of struggling to maintain an image that is the accepted ‘norm,’ we can declare that all shapes and sizes are beautiful, food is FUEL and cannot be assigned moral value (good or bad), and that women are to be respected and admired for more than the measure of their waistline. Only you can choose to believe this for yourself. If you do indeed choose to create your own counter-culture, you can use websites like this one for continued hope, inspiration, friendship, and news on the latest revolutions in the world of body-image issues and women’s empowerment. During my travels and work as Miss America 2008, I took on the challenge of advocating for the awareness and prevention of eating disorders, and continue to do so today. I was able to lobby in Washington D.C. for Mental Health Parity and the FREED Bill (Federal Response to Eliminate Eating Disorders), and speak in front of Congress. I met and engaged students across the country from Harvard University to my own middle school in Walled Lake, Michigan to stand up in this fight; to not be silent about the abuses of the media and society on our bodies. I have since created the Kirsten Haglund Foundation, raising money for financial aid for families with a loved one in treatment for their eating disorder, on the road to health and healing. I am just one person, who struggled with something, and beat it, black and blue. I did not take on this issue alone, however, but joined in with the community of millions across the U.S. and around the world that have decided not to let the world define success or beauty. In our hearts and minds, we are already beautiful. We have already achieved, simply because we are. This acceptance is what can lay the foundation for a healthy sense of self and purpose, and can keep the destructiveness of addictions, eating disorders, depression, low self-esteem, and insecurity at bay.
By finding and using this website, you’ve already taken the first step in joining Lindsay’s and my efforts to keep young women strong in their knowledge that definitions of beauty are not limited, but varied. You’ve become privy to a wealth of information about body-image issues so that you can be a good example to your peers. Congratulations to Lindsay on her continued work, and congratulations to you for whatever steps you’ve taken today on your journey in life. May it continue to be blessed.
Kirsten Haglund, Miss America 2008
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I WISH EVERY GIRL COULD HAVE A BIG SISTER…
I met Lindsay through the Miss Maryland program and she has been my mentor for 3 years. She has taught me that self esteem and beauty on the inside are more important than beauty on the outside. I want to thank her for being my friend-I wish every girl could have a big sister who believes in them! When I think of Lindsay, I think of someone who is honest, loyal, always smiling, and has a great attitude. My favorite thing on Beyond Beauty for Girls is the daily quote-when I read the quote I smile and know I will have a beautiful day! I hope you have one too and share this program with a girl that you care about!
Leah, Miss Maryland Princess
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A NOTE FROM AMERICAN IDOL STAR, KATHARINE MCPHEE…
As women we tend to put so much pressure on ourselves emotionally and physically. I know we can judge ourselves against others instead of being at peace with where and who we are. I love the work Lindsay is doing. It is very holistic in that it is mind, body and spirit. As women, we need to be encouraged. Thanks Lindsay. Keep up the good work.
Katharine McPhee
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NEVER UNDERESTIMATE THE BEAUTY WITHIN…
I met Lindsay in high school almost eight years ago. Coming from a family that moved frequently, I found myself in a completely new environment without any familiar faces. As many people know, high school is filled with people in pre-established cliques. It can be very difficult to find people who make you feel like you fit in or appreciated for who you are as a person. At first, Lindsay was someone I didn’t know personally, but she was involved in so many extracurricular activities and I always saw her among big groups of friends. Everyone knew who she was, ranging from the most popular to the… well, not so popular. To be honest, I wasn’t even interested in meeting her! “She’s just going to be like all of the other beautiful, popular girls who don’t even acknowledge your presence,” I thought to myself on several occurrences. I couldn’t have been any more wrong! Lindsay proved to be one of the most caring, hard-working, funny and positive people I’d met throughout my entire high school experience. Even though we have gone our separate ways since high school, there is a part of her kindness that I have made an effort to pass on to everyone I meet.
People like Lindsay are truly the backbone for the cliché “beautiful inside and out.” I wish there was a more original way to describe her, but that is exactly what she is. One thing I know for sure is that her hard work, dedication and passion for life will continue to grow the success she has already had and will never fail to inspire those around her. I couldn’t be more proud of and excited for the current direction her life is heading. She truly deserves every bit of her success. Her contagious positivity and warm smile make it impossible to not walk away a better, happier person.
Whether you’re looking at this page to find inspiration, or dropping by to maintain your current confidence, it will definitely give you the tools and encouragement to do so. In a world that seems to focus only on outward appearance, Lindsay is paving the way for girls, all shapes and sizes, to be confident, proactive, healthy and happy. Best of luck to Lindsay and all of the beautiful girls who are stopping by this page. Never underestimate the beauty within!
“I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” -Maya Angelou
Amanda Dotson
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IT IS OUR TIME TO MAKE A MARK…
How fortunate for teens to have this site! I wish I had had this venue to seek support when I was a teenager. I remember how difficult my middle and high school years were with my self-image and self-esteem. Sixth grade was the toughest year for me of ‘fitting in.’ I am half Colombian and half Pakistani and the kids enjoyed making fun of me for being ‘different.’ I was teased constantly about my looks, about speaking Spanish with my mom, and for being a ‘goody-goody.’ I was told I was ugly, too skinny and would be alone for the rest of my life. Kids can be so cruel! In 8th grade I was voted most likely to become a nun.
Though the school I attended was private, I was still verbally bullied by a group of girls every single day. If it wasn’t verbal it was written-through notes about me that were passed around the classroom. I came home in tears and begged my parents to put me in another school, but they wanted me to understand that I could not run away from my problems; I had to face them head on and grow strong within. They told me that unfortunately these wouldn’t be the only bullies I was going to face in life. There would be bullies in high school, college and even in the work place! So with the support of my parents I stopped running, stood up for myself and learned a few things about myself in the process. I learned that I held the power of what happened in my life! I wasn’t about to let someone else’s nasty comments define me.
It was this realization that helped make a mark in my life. I wasn’t going to let labels such as ‘jock, ditz, or geek’ deter me from participating in sports, or joining the high school Pom squad, or continuing my passion for playing the piano. I was not deterred from joining school clubs or singing on stage for the Drama club. Later on in life, I won the title of Miss Maryland 2000 and represented my state at the Miss America Pageant. By not letting stereotypes dictate my decisions in life, I was able to keep an open mind about the Miss America Organization—rather than never trying out for it because other people said pageants were for narcissistic women.
Stereotypes are everywhere, but I chose not to let them come in between myself and the goals I was striving to accomplish. I believe that all these activities helped shape my personality and strengthen my hidden talents. I believe that being a well-rounded person allowed me to develop the people skills I now possess and prepared me for the motivational speaking job I have today.
Now, what if I had listened all those years to ‘those negative people’ who never took risks because they themselves were too concerned about being ‘labeled’ or stereotyped. I wonder how many opportunities they missed out on in their own lives because they were too worried about what other people would say. How sad to live your life wondering ‘What if..?” or “If only…”
Looking back at my experiences I learned that you have to make your life count and each one of us is here on this Earth for a reason. I believe that God never makes mistakes, so we are all here for a purpose and it is our responsibility to embrace what sets us apart from others, accept who we are, and share our talents and skills with those who surround us. It is our responsibility to grow stronger, to support one another and the dreams we possess, and to lift each other up to greater heights– not tear one another down because of our own doubts and insecurities. It is time we as girls and women come together to make this powerful difference in each of our ‘sisters’ lives. Yes, I say ‘sisters’ because that is the role we must strive to become for one another. It is our time to make a mark and it is our time to lift each other up through our words of praise and our actions of strength!
We begin this journey through motivational websites like Beyond Beauty for Girls- a safe place where young women can seek advice and feel like they are never walking alone. As a mother of two girls, I want to see a change in the way girls view themselves. I want my daughters to grow with confidence and to feel secure in their own bodies. I want them to stand up for what they believe in and know that they have the ability to make a positive difference in their own lives and in the lives of others. Let us take these steps together and empower girls of all ages to believe in themselves, to respect themselves and others, and to embrace the beauty we have been blessed with—real beauty that lies within us all.
Sonia Amir Bowie, Miss Maryland 2000
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I WANNA BE JUST LIKE YOU…
“Thank you. Your platform really helped me to see that I should be happy the way I am and that models don’t really look the way they look in photo shoots. Also, now I really feel like I’m beautiful and that I shouldn’t change the way I am. The workshop really worked. I realized that I shouldn’t have to change the color of my hair to be lighter or to straighten it ’cause it’s curly. I should just be the way I am and be proud of it. Thank you for letting me realize that. You are a beautiful and a lovely person and I wanna be just like you. You’ve changed my life, so thank you.”
Ellesse, 6th Grade
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INSPIRING GIRLS TO BE THEIR BEST TRUE SELVES…
Beyond Beauty for Girls is the perfect resource for girls today. As a pediatric nurse practitioner providing health care to girls and teens, I see the need for positive messages about health and body image. Those of us who work with teens and preteens are acutely aware of young people’s need to be a part of a group that reinforces their personal identity. The physical and emotional changes of adolescence can affect self-esteem. Most girls believe that being healthy has more to do with appearance and feeling accepted than practicing healthy exercise habits and choosing nutritious foods. Lindsay’s work as a leader is helping girls cope with the personal challenges and changes in their lives. I am also the mother of a a preteen and can say that Lindsay is a role model with a sincere passion for inspiring girls to be their best true selves. My daughter has learned so much from having Lindsay as a trusted mentor and friend. Girls of all ages can benefit Beyond Beauty’s healthy living ideas, fun quotes and resources for discovering what it means to be healthy and beautiful on the inside!
Anne McConnell, MS, CPNP
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SAFE-HAVEN FOR YOUNG GIRLS…
I am truly grateful to Lindsay for the actions she’s taken to develop this website. It is far too common that women face body image issues, eating disorders, and low self esteem; through organizations like Beyond Beauty for Girls, these women and young girls are provided a safe-haven that encourages them to believe in themselves and trust the beauty within.
It is hard to express how exciting it is to see that there is a source like Beyond Beauty that is now available to women of all ages. While there are media outlets, like Glamour magazine, which are featuring a range of bodies in their pages, this website is offering something personal and unique. Simple things like inspirational quotes and images of healthy, every-day girls will pave the way for women to feel confident and beautiful no matter their shape or size. I can tell how hard Lindsay has worked and how passionate she is about this cause. She should be so proud of herself for taking action, making a difference and promising a better future for women. I love it!
Kaitlyn Wozniak
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OUTREACH THROUGH NON-PROFIT WORK…
“Lindsay is a real “go-getter!” Her enthusiasm and energy is empowering to all who meet her. We are very proud to have Lindsay as a board member for the Eating Disorder Network of Maryland. Her sincere compassion is truly felt by others.”
Sharon R Peterson, LCSW-C; Founder of EDN
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FROM THE GIRL SCOUTS…
Working with the Girl Scouts of the USA, the Dove Self-Esteem Fund, the Eating Disorder Network of Maryland and the Eating Disorder Coalition, Lindsay has traveled throughout Maryland and the District of Columbia to encourage young girls to feel good about who they are. In central Maryland, Lindsay worked with local Girl Scout troops to help them understand the relationship between healthy living and self-esteem using Girl Scouts uniquely ME! program model. Her own personal triumphs over issues many young girls face made her a great source of inspiration and hope.
Because of Lindsay’s commitment to helping young girls navigate what is often an uncertain and ambiguous road to adulthood, I highly recommend Lindsay for this scholarship. Girls, and women, need other women that they can look to for advice and inspiration. I believe Lindsay is and will continue to be a great role model. This scholarship will help widen her platform and reach many more girls– and women– in need of her uplifting message. Girl Scout founder, Juliette Gordon Low has been quoted as saying: “Today is the history of tomorrow and we are its makers.” This statement is brought to life when we invest our resources and hopes in young women like Lindsay. She has already proven that she can be successful in what she endeavors and I am sure she will be even more successful as her future continues to unfold.
Traci A. Barnett, M.B.A.
Chief Executive Officer
Girl Scouts of Central Maryland
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MISS “ALANNA’S ROLE MODEL”…
“Instead of Miss Maryland, it”s more like Miss Alanna’s role model! She showed me there’s more to someone than just looks….it’s about inner beauty. Her personal experiences showed me that it is not all about what you are doing but about where you are going.”
Alanna, 7th Grade
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MORE CONFIDENT IN MYSELF…
“Thanks so much for yesterday! It made me think twice about a lot of things and how I view life! It also inspired me to get involved more and now I’m starting to do pageants! I left there feeling a lot more beautiful in the inside and out and it made me value what I have instead of of getting upset with what I don’t have. Hearing your stories, challenges and successes made me much more confident in myself to be able to achieve my goals and make myself a better person then I am now. Each day I know I’m getting better! Well, thanks so much for the life-lasting experience I will definitely make something out of it.”
Ali, 7th Grade
