- [Aija] Hi, I'm Aija Mayrock. I'm a poet and author, and today I'll be reading my poem "Dear Girl." I wrote "Dear Girl" about two years ago, and it is my letter to all girls and women listening.

Dear Girl,

Oftentimes we women start to rise,
And then certain people devise a plan to disenfranchise.

Whether it's our bodies or rights,
Entice us with movements
Unite us through persecution

Make it seem like it's alright.

Dear Girl,
Open your eyes.

We have come so far it's easy to resign
We've got "equality"
But public policy shows the contrary, honestly,
One in six women could be raped in their lives
And it's mostly seen as a victimless crime.

What should every girl know?

You are not some puppet in a puppet show
Expose the double standards
The hypocrisy, the hate.

It is never too late.

This is the moment of girls taking the reins.

It is Time's Up.
It is Me Too.

It is everyone from me
To you
Who has spoken or stayed silent
But strong.

And for every survivor who speaks
Only to be met
With intimidation, investigation, and disbelief.

Dear Girl,
You will be believed.

If not by senate floors and investigators,
We will hear you Dear Girl,
We will see you, Dear Girl,
We will stand by you.

For the survivor three thousand miles away or the one next door,
You are heard.

Justice will not always prevail
But we will continue to fight
Tooth and nail.

You are heard.

So that our sisters and daughters will never be asked,
Rather harassed,
Whether they wanted it
Regretted it
Or just forgot.

Believe me,

No one forgot.

Dear Everyone,

This moment is a movement.

For every girls out there to reclaim her place
Win every race

For everyone out there
Listen in
The system is in demolition

Grab ahold of your voice
It is time to make a choice

To believe survivors
To pay us all the same
To give women of color equal access and opportunity
To protect the safety of trans girls every day

Make the choice to change the climate
Make the choice to not stay silent.

This is not just the day of the girl,
This is the future of girls.