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For All Our Daughters - Mentoring Girls

For Daughters: Five Essentials to Help Young Women & Girls Master the Art of Growing Up Paperback

Amazon.com Review

The opening chapter of For All Our Daughters ticks off a hair-raising list of troubles all too common among American girls ages 9 to 18. These crises range from eating disorders and unexpected pregnancies to suicidal feelings and abuse. Author Pegine Echevarria, a social worker whose childhood held more than its fair share of horrors, doesn't dally over bad news, though. Instead she surges forward to propose ways caring women can string safety nets beneath girls who are traumatized or bent on high-wire acts of destruction. Underpinning this mentoring plan is the author's assurance that however much you might like to think that your daughter tells you everything, she probably doesn't... and one day she certainly won't. "It's part of the maturing process for your daughter to stop turning to parents when faced with certain challenges," Echevarria says. For All Our Daughters offers an inspiring--and achievable--blueprint for building community and making a difference in someone's life. Though written for American girls, many of its suggestions are applicable to the stresses of life in other places--and for boys as well. --Francesca Coltrera

From Booklist

For girls between the ages of 9 and 18, relationships with adult women other than their mothers can make a critical difference in the often difficult and confusing transition to womanhood. Echevarria provides wonderful insights for moms, as well as a pragmatic guide for women who are or want to become mentors. Based on her experience as youth counselor, mother, and mentor, this inspiring book offers concrete suggestions for providing guidance and good modeling in five crucial areas of development: physical, emotional, intellectual, spiritual, and financial accountability. Although the specific ideas offered may not always be appropriate, or even feasible, for every situation, they are sufficient in both number and variety and will inspire creative thinking about other imaginative solutions. Echevarria stresses that although a mentor will never replace a mother, she serves a vital role in a girl's maturation, through nonjudgmental listening and in helping explore opportunities for growth. Mentors model human resilience and resourcefulness, rather than perfection, and can show firsthand how responsible adults handle difficult situations. Grace Fill

Review

A must read for all women. This book shows us how to make a difference not only for all our daughters, but for us all. -- Pamela Gilberd, author of The Eleven Commandments of Highly Successful Women

An inspirational, easy-to-read book that will make a difference in the lives of many girls. Pegine lives what she shares in For All Our Daughters. -- Eric Brettschneider, Agenda for Children Tomorrow

If you care about a girl between the ages of 9 and 18 you owe it to her to read this book. -- Jack Canfield, co-author, Chicken Soup for the Soul series

If you have a love for any teenage girl, and care for her future welfare, this is the book to read. -- Mark Victor Hansen, co-author, New York Times #1 best-selling Chicken Soup for the Soul series

It's hard to overstate the effect a caring and thoughtful mentor can have on a young woman's development. This book is an invaluable tool for mentors and mentors-to-be. -- Marie C. Wilson, President, Ms. Foundation for Women

Mentored teens are 46% less likely to start using drugs, 73% more likely to upgrade their personal goals, and 52% less likely to miss a day of school than teens who do not have mentors. Yet 98% of our young people are not receiving the benefits of mentoring. For All Our Daughters can help lower that statistic. -- Marcia N. Smoller, The Long Island Mentoring Partnership

The young people you educate and the families you help keep together have benefited from your ability to communicate your love through words. -- Honorable Nydia Velazquez, Member of the U.S. House of Representatives, D-NY

This is the most important child rearing guide since Dr. Spock. -- Moderna Magazine, March/April 1998

You are all such wonderful role models for today's girls...tomorrow's women. For within you, girls can see the strength within themselves and the great possibilities of what they can be. --Elinor J. Ferdon, National President, Girl Scouts of the U.S.A.

About the Author

Pegine Echevarria, MSW, is a social worker and an internationally recognized speaker, researcher, and television personality. She has appeared on many television shows, including The Montel Williams Show, Maury Povich, Ricki Lake, Rolanda, and MSNBC. She also serves on the board of directors and as an advisor for blue jean magazine, a leading advertising-free magazine for girls, written by teens, which celebrates their intelligence and insights. Ms. Echevarria works in the New York City area as a professional youth counselor; she is also a nationally known motivational speaker and a member of the National Speakers Association.

She began her campaign to help girls through mentoring at the Salvation Army Bushwick Family Center in Brooklyn, NY. At Bushwick, Ms. Echevarria implemented an award-winning curriculum for homeless children and their parents. She became the Director of Family Dynamics, a New York City-based Latino family/teen support center.

Today, family-oriented groups, as well as engineering, technology, and finance organizations, use Ms. Echevarria's talents as a speaker to motivate and educate women, teens, and Hispanics. She repeatedly receives rave reviews from audiences for her willingness to go to great lengths to reach and inspire others.