What a Cow Means

The Girl Effect: Sanchita and What a Cow Means

“Given the chance, girls are uniquely capable of investing in their communities and making their lives, and the lives of their brothers, sisters and communities, better. This is the ripple effect that happens when girls are given the support to realise their full potential. This is the Girl Effect.” – Girl Effect

Please watch this short video about Sanchita who lives in Bangladesh.

Like Sanchita, I was a girl with a cow. My cow’s name was Ginger. She was a brown-eyed Hereford with a large upside down heart on the side of her neck.

My dad let me pick her out myself. He wanted me to know what it was like to be responsible and take care of animals.

As much time as I put in on the family farm, summers spent staring down long rows of hay bales, hours hoeing corn and stacking wood, springs watching for Ginger’s newest calf, I knew this was not all my life would be.

When I turned 19 and headed off the college, Ginger would be sold and the money would go toward a portion of my tuition bill.

For me Ginger meant I was one step closer to being the first person on my father’s side of the family to graduate from college.

For Sanchita a $60 cow means milk to be sold to provide for her family, pay for her brother’s education and save for her future.


For a minute just stop and think about what a cow means to you. Think about that last burger you ate, think about that leather jacket in your closet and think about the absurdity of Where’s the Beef?

One cow, one single cow can change the trajectory of a girl’s life.

You can help: donate, spread the word or learn more at http://www.girleffect.org/

Women Branching Out: Melissa Dinwiddie

Melissa Dinwiddie of Living a Creative Life talks about the starving artist myth, recharging by doing the work you love, marketing yourself as an artist, improvisation, and her upcoming Play, Flow, Write, GO! playshop.

Play, Flow, Write, GO!

September 27, 2011
1:00-2:30pm Pacific Time/PST (recording available)

A playshop in improvisational art for the soul for anyone who needs a creative recharge. The playshop combines a live teleclass on September 27, a recording of the call (so you can participate even if you can’t make it on the 27th), tutorial videos, and an opportunity to share your work from the playshop in a special art show on Melissa’s blog. Find out more here.

Melissa Dinwiddie is an artist, singer/songwriter and inspirationalist who’s known for getting creative people sparked, stoked and creating. She shares her inspirational posts, videos, classes, group and 1:1 coaching and other offerings at Living A Creative Life.

Women Branching Out: Barbara Coon

I’m so happy to introduce you to Barbara Coon. In this Women Branching Out Interview we talk about Barbara’s CranioSacral practice in Seattle, how Barbara creates a calm environment for her clients and self, and her upcoming Living Energy Retreat teleclass.

Living Energy Retreat

The Living Energy Retreat starts Tuesday, October 4, 2011 at 7 p.m. PST. This 12 week teleclass offers a consistent weekly healing space to bring calm joyful living to busy women over achievers.



A free sneak preview of The Living Energy Retreat is available Tuesday, September 27, 2011 at 7 p.m. PST. More information here.

Barbara Coon offers Intuitive CranioSacral healing for women and children ready to feel more fully present, more energetic, and more attuned to their body’s needs. She’s known for her gentle calm presence that cultivates a focused connection for healing. Private sessions, group energy healing teleclasses and The Living Energy Retreat are available online as well at her private Oasis Garden Sanctuary in Seattle.