Before Let Girls Learn Days there was Princess of Peace: Empowering Young Girls to Change Their World
There was something magical in the air at Graham Elementary School in Mt. Vernon, New York, on October 30, 2014. The occasion? Princess of Peace, a beautiful program designed especially for young girls to recognize their inner strength, kindness, and potential to make a difference in their community.
Tha B.U.M.P. (The Brown Urban Mother Partners, Inc.) CEO, Cynthia Turnquest-Jones, was invited by educator Annabelle Strozza to sit with the girls and introduce the Princess of Peace concept. Cynthia’s message was clear: every girl already carries power within her. By sitting together, listening, and sharing, they could learn how to use that power to create peace, both in their classrooms and beyond.
The event brought together girls from Graham Elementary and guest students from nearby Holmes Elementary for a heartfelt and inspiring session of open conversation, creativity, and self-discovery.
In an open and organic forum, the girls found comfort in simply talking. Many shared their experiences of being bullied, while one bravely admitted to being a bully herself. Through honesty and reflection, they began to understand the importance of empathy and forgiveness.
One activity encouraged each girl to write her thoughts on what peace means and what it means to be a princess. Their words were pure and powerful.
Fifth grader Kemani wrote,
“Peace is cooperating and being calm. A Princess is loyal, caring, brave, and of royalty, and cute.”
Fourth grader Destiny added,
“Peace is a wonderful thing. It settles a fight. Everybody wants peace. A Princess is a daughter of a Queen. She wants peace for everybody.”
As they shared their reflections, the room filled with laughter, understanding, and newfound confidence. Each girl declared what she would do as a Peaceful Princess back in her classroom and community.
Before leaving, they made friendship bracelets, decorated Princess of Peace journals for their ongoing reflections, and enjoyed pink frosted donuts, a sweet reminder that peace can be joyful and fun. Their journals would later hold their peaceful thoughts and actions, a daily practice of kindness in motion.
Each young princess left not only with a Hello Kitty goodie bag but with something far more lasting, Peaceful Princess Power.
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