Know your worth. Respect yourself and others. Take every opportunity to learn. Walk with confidence. And never be afraid to be the woman you were created to be.
These were some of the powerful messages shared with a group of young women on 14 August, when the Rotary Club of Worcester, in collaboration with Women of Worcester (WOW), hosted an afternoon dedicated to etiquette, empowerment and self-worth.
Young girls from Pioneer School, Worcester Gymnasium and High School Breerivier came together for an afternoon designed to equip them with practical life skills, knowledge and confidence, while reminding them of something fundamental: their worth is not determined by what others think of them.
The event was opened by Rotary Club of Worcester President Leonie Pelteret, who spoke about Rotary’s motto, Service Above Self.
Leonie reminded the young women that service is not simply about giving something to someone else. It is about recognising the value of people, treating others with dignity and using the opportunities and abilities we have to make a positive difference.
But Service Above Self also begins with how we treat ourselves.
Knowing your own worth, respecting yourself, making healthy choices and developing the confidence to stand firmly in who you are are all part of becoming a person who can positively influence others.
The afternoon then unfolded into a series of practical, inspiring and sometimes wonderfully entertaining sessions.
Etiquette, Manners and Confidence
Nettie Lubbe, wife of the Rotary District Governor and owner and CEO of Zunetettiquette School of Etiquette, introduced the girls to the importance of good manners and etiquette.
The focus went far beyond knowing which fork to use.
The girls learned about greeting others, appropriate posture, sitting correctly, carrying themselves with confidence and showing respect for both themselves and those around them.
They also explored table manners and how to conduct themselves confidently and appropriately around a dinner table.
The underlying message was clear: good etiquette is ultimately about respect.
Respect for yourself. Respect for others.
And the confidence to enter different environments knowing how to conduct yourself with grace.
Financial Independence
Gilda Curran, Business Manager at Nedbank, turned the focus to financial independence and responsible financial decision-making.
The girls were encouraged to understand the importance of becoming financially independent and making informed choices about money.
Learning how to manage finances responsibly is an important part of becoming an independent young woman, and the session encouraged them to think about their future and the choices that will help them build secure and responsible lives.
Relationships, Bullying and Self-Love
Nursing Sister Monique from Mediclinic Worcester tackled some deeply important topics, including relationships, bullying, mental health and self-love.
The girls were encouraged to understand their own worth, recognise healthy and unhealthy relationships, make positive choices and develop respect for themselves.
Self-love is not selfish.
It is understanding that you deserve kindness, respect and healthy relationships, and having the courage to walk away from situations that diminish your sense of worth.
Understanding and Caring for Your Body
Amanda Saaiman introduced the girls to basic skincare and feminine healthcare.
The session encouraged the young women to understand their bodies and develop healthy personal-care habits.
Knowledge gives confidence, and understanding your own body is an important part of growing into a healthy and self-assured young woman.
Grace, Poise and Confidence
And then came the practical lesson that had everyone smiling!
Mariaan Nielsen showed the girls how to walk, carry themselves with grace and poise, and sit with confidence.
There was plenty of laughter and fun, but underneath it all was an important lesson:
How you carry yourself can influence how you feel about yourself.
Stand tall.
Walk confidently.
Own your space.
The afternoon was about so much more than etiquette.
It was about giving young women tools they can carry with them for the rest of their lives.
It was about understanding that confidence can be learned, knowledge creates independence, respect begins with yourself, and every young woman has the right to know her own worth.
For the Rotary Club of Worcester and WOW, investing in young people means more than simply helping them through today. It means helping them develop the confidence, knowledge and self-belief to shape tomorrow.
And that is Service Above Self in action.
To every young woman who attended:
Know your worth. Respect yourself and others. Take every opportunity to learn.
Make responsible choices. Walk with confidence. Be kind to yourself.
And never, ever be afraid to become the woman you were created to be.
Your future is yours to shape. Walk into it with your head held high. 💙
