Disney Unveils Dream Big Princess Photography Series at the UN to Encourage Kids Everywhere to Dream Big

Did you know November is National Inspirational  Role Models Month? I met some great role models yesterday covering the unveiling of an inspiring  photography series  at the United Nations. Last year Disney launched #DreamBigPrincess photography campaign to encourage kids everywhere to dream big. Nineteen female photographers from fifteen countries contributed powerful images to the campaign.  Photographs shared on social media helped to raise funds for Girl Up, the United Nations Foundation’s program supporting adolescent girls’ leadership and empowerment.

It is imperative to encourage young girls that they have value, are powerful, influential and can have big dreams. With it being Inspirational Role Models Month, I had the opportunity to interview Monique Coleman, Girl Up Celebrity Champion, philanthropist and actress. As well as Kate T. Parker whose "Strong is the New Pretty" photos received global acclaim. Both women have made significant contributions to encouraging girls to be themselves and that they can fulfill their dreams. 

Monique Coleman

Do you have an inspirational role model? 
"I feel like I have several. Michelle Obama, Oprah Winfrey and also my mother. My Mother is an inspiration."

What motivates to do the work that you do? 
"For me it's a deep need to leave the world better than I found it and it just feels like a calling on my life. for how blessed I am to do what I love with my life.  
There are so many people in the world, that don't have options, they don't have choices,  they can't choose their struggles. They don't necessarily have access and resources  to be able  to do, at this moment,  fulfill their dreams. .................
because these things are happening in the world, and I have the opportunity to go after whatever I want  and have that, I feel a deep responsibility to not only share my gifts continuously  but also give other people access and the opportunity to share their gifts as well."

What is your general message to young girls everywhere? 
"I think my general message  would be that you are powerful, you are strong, you are capable and that your dreams are possible." 

Who is your favorite Disney princess? 
"I've got three. Mulan, Tangled(Rapunzel) and Tiana."

Kate T. Parker

Do you have an inspirational role model? 
"There are so so many. Many of the women honestly part of this campaign like Cristina (Cristina Mittermeier) are role models as photographers. They built their space  and shot the things that are meaningful to them  and made a career of out of  what they love.............
and my mom. She has always encouraged me to do what I thought was important  and was never like girls are quite, girls don't do that or you should be a little quieter Kate. She never once said that to me. I think that helped me find my voice."

What motivates to do the work that you do? 
"What motivates me is my daughters. I have two girls. I am a mom and I didn't see a lot of images of girls in photography that were empowering  that showed  girls who they truly were, that showed authentic  girls. For my girls that is dirty and messy and not smiling for the camera necessarily.and they were powerful. I wanted to show my girls that was beautiful and that is enough. they didn't need to change themselves.........that is what propels me. I want more images of girls we see in the media  that are strong and powerful  and confident. "  

What is your general message to young girls everywhere? 
"To be confident. My message to girls is to figure out your passion, figure out what you are passionate about and pursue that 100%. because your self worth is not dictated by what others think of you." 

Who is your favorite Disney princess? 
"I am a huge fan of Belle because she was who she was  and people made fun of her  and told her that she read too much or that she wasn't meant for that town. I just love that she saw beyond the surface  and pursued what she wanted to do regardless of what people said."