Mecca, 15

“Because of ZGiRLS, I love that I’m able to take action without being too afraid of messing up or not fitting in.”

Mecca, now 15, participated in ZGiRLS 2021-2023.

These days, my favorite thing about myself is my creativity. I’m in the 10th grade now and I love theater, anime, and hanging out with my friends.

I’m in my school’s fall play, Alice in Wonderland. I’m playing one of the flowers, Rose! When that wraps up, I’m planning to audition for the winter musical.

I wasn’t always comfortable putting myself out there, though. Before ZGiRLS, I used to second-guess myself a lot and worry too much about what people thought.

Now, I don’t really care because I like who I am. I’ve learned to go after things that excite me, even if they’re scary.

Like this summer, I was so nervous about auditioning for Finding Nemo Jr., but I remembered some confidence tips from ZGiRLS and just went for it. And it went really well!

Hi! I’m Mecca.

ZGiRLS taught me that being sure of myself doesn’t mean having all the answers.

It’s about trusting that I’m capable and worthy of the things I want, like auditioning for a new role or taking harder classes at school.

Because of ZGiRLS, I believe in myself in ways I didn’t think possible. Even when things get tough, I know I have the strength to keep pushing forward.

What I’m most proud of right now: I’ve been working hard on violin, and I’m so proud of how much I’ve gotten better since last year. I’ve learned to be more patient with myself and see my progress as a journey, not something I have to be perfect at overnight.

My future goals: I’m still figuring out what I want to do… maybe something in the Earth Sciences, like becoming a geologist. But acting is also something I’m really into, and I’d love to act on TV one day.

We’ll see, but one thing’s for sure: I’m proud of who I am. I’m creative, artistic, and I’m excited to keep growing.

BE A HERO FOR GIRLS’ EMPOWERMENT.

As part of ZGiRLS’ A Decade of Confidence end-of-year giving campaign, we’re proud to share stories from program alumnae whose lives were changed because of supporters like you:

  • Mecca, a 1-year alum, unleashed her creative spark.

  • Lucie, a 5-year alum, reclaimed her self-worth.

  • Katie, a 10-year alum, built a mental resilience to match her physical talents.

These stories—spanning years and life stages—prove one thing: your gift makes a lasting impact.

You become a hero in their stories with every dollar donated, and the need has never been greater to support girls’ empowerment.

Join us in helping the next generation live with zero self-limitations.