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1. Empowering
Young Mothers
To Tell Their
Own Stories
Tara Pringle Jefferson
www.TheYoungMommyLife.com

2. What’s the current media
narrative around
teen pregnancy and young
parenthood?
• Teen parents are:
– Lazy
– Uneducated
– Horrible parents
– Promiscuous
– Undeserving of help
– Abusive toward children
– Hopeless

3. Does this reflect MOST young mothers?

4. Let’s
take
back
the conversation

5. What happens if young parents
don’t speak up?
• We never hear what
it’s really like.
• We MUST add our
voices so people can
picture real
teen/young parents.

7. TheYoungMommyLife.com

9. Old way of New way of
getting ahead getting ahead
in your career
High school High school
College College Blogging
Graduation Graduation
Job Job

10. Yearly earnings*
• 2008 = $0
• 2009 = $500 (+ FREE trip to Washington D.C. +
FREE trip to Disney)
• 2010 = $6,000 (+ HEAVILY DISCOUNTED trip to
Disney)
• 2011 = $37,000
• 2012 = $45,000 (projected)
* revenue from and through YML

11. How I Make My Money
5% 9%
10%
Advertising
19% Sponsored posts
Writing online
Book sales
Speaking engagements
57%

12. Why blog at all?
• You'll learn to think more clearly about both sides of an issue.
• You will begin to express yourself more clearly when in
frustrating/anger-inducing/stressful situations.
• You begin to build a support system of like-minded people.
• You can make money from home.
• You will have a stronger sense of self.
• You will learn new skills.
• You will develop a “thing.”
• You develop thick skin.
• You will have excellent memories to look back on.
• You will gain discipline.
• You learn to be more professional.

13. Scientific benefits of
expressive writing
• Fewer stress-related visits to the doctor
• Improved immune system functioning
• Reduced blood pressure
• Improved mood/affect
• Feeling of greater psychological well-being
• Reduced depressive symptoms
• Reduced absenteeism from work
• Improved working memory
• Improved sporting performance
• Higher students’ grade point average
Advances in Psychiatric Treatment, 2005

14. So…
how do
you get
started?

15. How much does it cost
to set up a blog?
• Domain name + hosting – Ranges from FREE
to about $30 a year
• Design – anywhere from $100 on up.

16. How to promote the blog
• Guest posting
• Replying to comments
• Commenting on other blogs
• Advertising on other blogs
• Advertising on Facebook
• Posting consistently
• Run an effective Facebook page/Twitter feed

17. 4 examples
of blogging
social media
advocacy and
storytelling

18. STEPPS BOSTON: #YPSupport chats
Every Tuesday at 8 p.m.

19. Jasmine – Mrs. Mommy M.D.

20. Jasmine
“Honestly, there is so much about being a
young mom and wife that has been
challenging in ways that I never imagined. I
don't use my blog to pour out intimate
details about my personal life, but it is
great to have a community of women who
know what it's like to go through the ups
and downs, and cheering me on along the
way.”

21. Gloria – Teen Mommy NYC
“Ivoice, toblog to help a
blog give teen moms
I
empower teen moms and I
blog to show that not all
teen moms end up as a
gloomy statistic.
However, my most selfish
reason I blog is because it
helps me deal with being a
teen mom.
”

22. Ariella – Fashion With A Story

23. National Crittenton Foundation
“I Am Not Invisible” video campaign on YouTube

24. How can
you make
this work
for your
students?

25. Incorporate a “Telling My Story”
workshop into your program
GOALS:
• To introduce girls to a wide variety of writing genres;
• To teach a robust set of writing and critical analysis skills;
• To encourage girls to explore and develop their creative
talents, both written and oral;
• To nurture girls and promote healthy behaviors and life choices
through positive mentoring relationships with other bloggers;
• To inspire girls to pursue careers in writing, such as
journalism, public relations, screenwriting, songwriting, corporate
communications, publishing, website content producing, editing or
creative writing;
• To equip girls with communication tools to confidently navigate the
challenges they face

26. QUESTIONS?