The Modern Equation for Girls’ Confidence? Ê = FQ

As we walked into the flower-filled restaurant amid chatter and laughter, it felt like spring had come to New York City. With mothers and daughters, sisters, aunts, nieces and friends filing in, Mother’s Day had arrived early and smiles were bright.

Bright indeed, since the day was brought to us by The Female Quotient, Invisalign and a host of luminary women and girls offering insights and inspiration we won’t soon forget.

Wait, who was in the room?

Think Female Quotient founder and CEO Shelley Zalis and Kamal Bhandal from Invisalign. Paralympian Lizzi Smith and MommyShorts founder Ilana Wiles. Chef, cookbook author and Food Network star Alex Guarnaschelli, DJ Amrit Tietz and Adweek’s Luz Corona. Romper reporter Jamie Kenney and Être Board member and middle schooler Grayson Sethi.

What did they talk about?

Confidence – and the topic couldn’t have thrilled me more. As Zalis and Bhandal rightly noted, we are witnessing a confidence crisis in today’s girls, and the sooner we attend to that the better. Être’s own research backs that up, telling us that between ages 13 and 18 girls’ confidence drops by 20%. Between the same ages, the percentage of girls who say they feel smart drops by 50% and the percentage who say they feel stressed rises 241%.

The good news? Our research also showed that 91% of girls today believe higher confidence is directly related to mentorship, and the mentor moments fostered by The Female Quotient and Invisalign made us all feel more confident.

“The power of a smile and leading with confidence can truly transform a day. I know it can transform mine. This brunch was a truly special gathering and reminder of the strength and resilience we all share,” said Zalis.

“It was remarkable,” added Bhandal after the event, “to see women with their mothers, daughters, cousins and friends share the moment as we discussed the power of a smile and what it means to be confident on the inside and outside.”

Indeed, watching a confident 13-year-old Grayson onstage and sitting among a cadre of engaged high school and college-age Être members, I was simultaneously moved and motivated. Moved by the questions posed and motivated by the profound answers given as they hung in the air and we repeated them silently to ourselves:

What makes you feel confident?

The feeling I get when I swim, said Lizzi Smith with a knowing smile.

Playing music, Amrit Tietz told us, adding, and knowing I deserve to be in that room.

Writing, said Ilana Wiles as the room nodded along with her, and continually creating.

Working hard, confided Grayson Sethi, and being in the zone when I succeed.

What advice do you have for other women and girls?

Relaying how she started cooking with her daughter, with whom she has since co-authored a cookbook, Alex Guarnaschelli sagely advised us all to Smile. It can hide an agenda of great ambition. Yes, Chef.

And after bringing us into the hallways of middle school friendships, Grayson Sethi reminded everyone not to make someone a priority in your life if you’re just an option for them. The room almost rose to its feet in unison.

Then the rest of the room chimed in.

Sharing stories of personal resilience and highlighting powerful role models in their lives, women and girls pushed back chairs and took the mic, raising their voices and confidence levels for the next generation.

One of my favorite quotes from the room?

“A smile is the simplest, most powerful gesture, conveying positivity, understanding and a shared connection.”

The applause started almost before the young speaker in bright pink could finish.

Because, in one afternoon today’s leaders and tomorrow’s workforce formed a connection that made us smile for the rest of the day.

“A smile has the power to make connections,” noted Bhandal, “to spread joy and change someone’s day…This brunch was a reminder of how women can come together to bring young girls into rooms where others lift them up.”

What did some of the next gen guests think?

“I was so inspired by the sentiment on one panel that we determine our own algorithms, so we need to pay attention to who we let take up space in our media and our minds.” – Amy Stulman, Barnard College ‘26

“I loved when the speakers said there is always space to uplift women into leadership roles!” – Rachel Yuan, Barnard College ‘26

There is always space, and organizations like The Female Quotient - dedicated to raising the visibility of women and driving change across all industries - are making sure that space only gets bigger.

With grateful thanks from all the girls who sat in rapt attention and those who spoke on stage, I’m adding my applause for an epic day. I am honored to have Être in new partnership with The Female Quotient, and cannot wait for the mentor moments yet to come.

Looking forward,

Illana

ÊXTRAS: Three upcoming FQ events you won’t want to miss: Generation Money (digital) on May 8th, the Equality Lounge @ Cannes Lion (live) from June 17-20th, and an Être x FQ Epic Day of the Girl celebration (live)…stay tuned!