How many of us have ever felt victimized by a “mean girl” or a group of “mean girls?” Whether we are in middle school, high school, college, or beyond, mean girls tend to surround us in life. For whatever reason, these girls thrive on feeling powerful. These mean girls have groups of friends scared to stand up to them because they don’t want their wrath forced upon them. She draws power from the fear of friends and from other girls who are just too scared to cross paths with her. These friends might even help the mean girl by making others feel bad about themselves just to appease their friend. They make fun of other girls for looking a certain way or doing anything outside what the mean girl or "Queen Bee" would consider the societal norm. As a past victim of a mean girl, I would like to see the tables turn.

Why is it easier for us to tear one another down rather than build one another up? How can we expect to feel confident as a woman in any leadership position if we know automatically that other women will try to tear us down? Let us be the generation that fight backs against the thief of comparison and the envy that lies is most of our hearts.

In a world where it seems that every woman is for herself, or that every woman is pitted against each other, I would like to see the old remnants of kindness rise from the ashes.

Let’s be women who fiercely support one another.

I am thankful to have found close friends who fiercely support me in everything I do. However, I am talking about more than just close friends. I want to see women encouraging women every day in every way. If you pass someone you don’t know, all it takes is a simple warm smile to pass some kindness. This could be a wonderful alternative to dirty glares accompanied with judgmental glances.

Let’s be women who have listening ears.

This goes beyond the realm of the mean girl. One way we can be better friends to one another is to actually listen to one another. A lot of times today we have a competition between who has had the worst day. I might have made a C on a test I thought I made a B on. This is something that can get me down because I value my education and hard work and let myself down when I don’t perform the way I expected to. I could tell my friend about how I feel and she might turn around and talk about how she completely failed her test so I shouldn’t be upset and hard on myself. Although I can see my friend’s point, we need to start simply listening to one another even if we don’t know what to say.

Let's be women who aren't afraid of showing kindness.

To all women reading this: I encourage you to step back and evaluate your actions towards other women and other people in general. It is time that we start treating people like people instead of treating people like dirt.