SMART Girls

This week on the Real Housewives of NYC, the cameras followed me to the Boys and Girls Club at the 14th Street Y where I spent an afternoon mentoring girls in the SMART (Skills Mastery and Resistance Training) program. This program, for young women ages 8 to 17, helps build girls’ self-esteem and self-worth while emphasizing the importance of nurturing one’s own mental and physical well-being. I donate my time and resources to this program because statistics show that girls who are supported by positive role models and provided with information on the physical and emotional changes that occur during adolescence have less depression, teen pregnancy, and substance abuse problems.

I’ve had wonderful mentors throughout my life, beginning with my mother who successfully managed a household of nine while never neglecting herself. She was calm and organized and always perfectly dressed. When I lived in Europe, Princess Hohenlohe (Honey to her friends), an American southern belle who married a German prince befriended me. She taught me how to navigate through European society while remaining true to myself. She approached life with courage and wit and was a terrific role model. She understood what it meant to be an American living abroad and how important it was that I meet the right people and embrace European culture. I would not be whom I am today without my mother and Honey’s mentoring and love.

During my visit with the SMART Girls, we each wrote down five things that we like most about ourselves. I shared that I like to tell jokes; I’m confident and well organized. Doesn’t this sound like my two most important mentors, my mother and Honey? Mentoring does work. I encourage others to take time out of their busy schedules to help young women achieve life-long health and happiness.

Tip: Choose mentors that have qualities to which you aspire. Be courageous and ask for guidance from other women. By seeking out the best in others, we improve ourselves.