Given that this is such an interactive movement, we thought it would be a good idea to let you know a little bit about who we are and why we felt the need to spread the message Kind Campaign represents.
Molly Stroud:
Hi y'all!! I am so happy that y'all are here and interested in Kind Campaign! My name is Molly Stroud and I was born in Dallas, Texas. I lived in the same area my whole life before leaving for sunny California to attend Pepperdine University four years ago. Growing up I was the only girl surrounded by three brothers, Joshua, Zachary and Cody. Although this toughened my emotions, I did not escape school without being hurt by attacks from other girls.
I think that film has a way of affecting people and translating a message that moves people into action. I went to Pepperdine thinking that I would be acting in movies by the time I graduated, little did I know what side of the camera I would actually end up on. I have a passion for helping people and a passion for movies – and I am so blessed to be a part of something that combines both of my passions.
Unlike Lauren my middle school experience was absolutely wonderful. Somehow I made it through the most awkward time of my life without seeing the hurt that most girls experience during that horrendous time. It was not until my junior year that I experienced the cruelty of other girls and the pain that your ‘friends’ can inflict upon you. I will not go into the details of the situation, but rather the emotions that I experienced. I remember going to bed each night and hoping that I would wake up the next day and everything would be back to normal. I feared going to school. I hated passing periods because I did not want to run into anyone in the halls, so I started hiding in the bathroom until the bell rang. I would hide during breaks during dance team because my ‘friends’ had completely ostracized me and I had no one to talk to. Similar to Lauren, I did not answer my phone because I was afraid of who may be on the other end and what horrifying things they may say. Thankfully, I had a small group of friends that disregarded the rumors that were spread and stood by my side. Although, my school was so large that I only got to see them a few times throughout the day – most of the time I felt completely alone. Even though I thought my life was over and I would never be happy again, with time came healing and forgiveness. At the end of junior year, some of the girls apologized to me and others moved on to other bits of drama. By senior year, all was pretty much forgotten as I was voted Homecoming Queen; an honor that would have seemed ridiculous the year before when I thought my life was over.
During that time I felt great pain, inflicted upon me by girls who most likely did not even realize how deep their words and actions cut. But now looking back, I realize that life does go on and wounds do heal. Regardless, no one should have to experience these horrific emotions. Getting hurt emotionally or physically by other girls should not be considered a “rite of passage” or be expected as the norm. The only way to create change is to each individually decide that girl bullying is not acceptable and to simply be kind to one another. I have been extremely touched and surprised by the vast amount of affirmation that we have received since starting the Kind Campaign. I love telling people about what we are working on because it sparks a conversation about their life, or about an idea that they have to help. It is so thrilling to be a part of something that is bringing women together and uniting them under the umbrella of KINDness. Also, I am so lucky that I get to do something I love with someone that I love so dearly. Lauren is such an inspiring and incredible women and we are so blessed that we get to be on this adventure together!
I hope that you feel comfortable here. I hope that we can help you heal the wounds that you carry. I hope that Kind Campaign will make women of all ages aware of how their actions affect other women. I hope that we can touch each other’s lives through dialogue, awareness, and kindness.