Do you like what you see when you look in the mirror?

When I asked this question of 25 teen girls in Norcross 10 years ago, I had no idea of the ways their collective response would change my life and the lives of other girls and women forever. To my dismay, not one of the 25 girls raised her hand. Not only did those girls dislike their reflections in the mirror, they provided a litany of changes they would make to their physical appearance if they had the opportunity.

I found this disheartening and, subsequently, discussed it with my sister Zenobia, a high school principal in South Carolina. She and I concurred that low self-esteem was the culprit and a universal challenge many females face that may contribute to high-risk behaviors such as teen pregnancy, drug abuse, gang involvement and more.

Studies confirm that sexually active youth in metro Atlanta report they engaged in their first sexual activities between the ages of 12 and 14. Current research confirms that adolescent females who have higher self-esteem may be less likely to engage in high-risk behaviors. So, we set out to enhance the self-esteem of girls and women focusing initially in Georgia and South Carolina. I Am B.E.A.U.T.I.F.U.L., a nonprofit, was born in 2005. We hosted our first conference for nearly 100 girls at the Centerville Community Center in Gwinnett.

We believe girls are more likely to develop low self-esteem during their vulnerable years — from adolescence to young adulthood, and from young adulthood to adult womanhood. We also believe girls and women can overcome low self-esteem by focusing on attributes such as those identified in the B.E.A.U.T.I.F.U.L. acrostic: Brave, Energetic, Assertive, Unique, Tenacious, Important, Fabulous, Unequaled and Loved. The organization offers a safe, nurturing and caring environment for girls and women to develop a healthy perspective and lifestyle.

Today, our services have expanded to include the Gaining Insight & Real Life Skills Leadership Development Program, an eight-month session that offers girls 6 to 18 a holistic experience that includes self-esteem, leadership, money management, exercise and nutrition, goal-setting, getting into college, etiquette, career choices, resume writing, public speaking, computer technology, healthy relationships, dating violence, self-defense, drug-free living and media awareness. We facilitate our programs in summer camps, conferences and after-school events.

It all began with the question: “Do you like what you see when you look in the mirror?” One question remains: “What will you do to help girls and women live B.E.A.U.T.I.F.U.L. lives?” Visit www.iambeautiful.org to donate or volunteer.

Tina Woodard is co-founder and executive director of I Am B.E.A.U.T.I.F.U.L., a nonprofit.