When I was a young girl, I thought being a female was a burden. Girls learn at a young age to limit their dreams,but I read Kerry Washington’s statement that she was really lucky because she went to an all-girl school.

It made me remember that is where I started to build up the strength to become a creative woman, a leader. Before I attended an all-girl school environment, I was extremely shy, timid and insecure.

I went to an all-girl school middle school through high school. The experience taught me so much. I am not saying an all girl school educational environment is picture perfect, but it was an environment that taught me that girls were valuable too. I was valuable.

I learned to take risk. I learned to confidently speak in a room full of men. I learned that I was more than just a pretty face. I have a brain. I am valuable. I can transform the world in positive ways. I learned my self-worth by attending an all girls school.

I didn’t have to dream big and feel I have to limit my dreams to survive in a man’s world. I can dream and succeed. I can support women without feeling I have to compete with women to feel valuable. At an all girls school environment, it is all about learning about your true self-worth and embracing your uniqueness in order to impact the world in wonderful ways.

There is something captivating about a woman who can use her intellectual ability and not solely her sexuality to make a way for herself, her family, and community. Appearances fade over time, but knowledge remains as we age. When I walk in a room, I feel less insecurity and more confidence because I know my worth – I feel God created me for a great purpose. I am woman. I am a divine creation. You are too. Greatness lives within you, you just have to unlock it.

You can learn about the all-girls school I attended by visiting St.Paul’s School for Girls. I will never forget this school. It really is a treasure on top of a hill and I cannot think of one girl who graduated from that school that isn’t giving the world her all, that isn’t giving back to the community in positive ways. Girls are valuable.

If you went to an all girls school,  pleasure share your stories by sending your truth to Fromgirltogirl.com . You can email me at brianabooker@fromgirltogirl.com .