In a time when athletes are disappointing children and parents alike with their self-serving, often out-of-control behavior, it is a breath of fresh air when one of them detaches themselves from the pack to stand for something. Dominique Dawes, a member of the gold medal winning "Magnificent Seven" 1996 Women's Gymnastic Team has decided to do just that. Dawes agreed to become the spokesperson for The Girl Scout/Unilever Self-esteem Program for preteen girls. The uniquely ME! program is designed to foster self-esteem in girls, ages 8 to 14, in the United States and Puerto Rico, with a focus on girls in underprivileged communities.

The two-year-old old program uses a core curriculum focused on helping girls develop the skills necessary to face the challenges of growing up. It consists of three activity booklets: uniquely ME! The Way to Be, uniquely ME! Inside & Out and uniquely ME! The Real Deal. All booklets are available in both English and bilingual English/Spanish versions.

Along with the booklets, each Girl Scout council may choose to offer hands on activities such as mentoring, community service or sports. The goal of the program is to inspire girls to a higher sense of self-esteem and pave the way for an easier and empowered adolescence.

How It Began
Dominique Dawes has been a spokesperson for the uniquely ME! program for the past year and though she is involved with many projects and activities, she is especially proud of this one.

"I actually met with a Girl Scout representative a few years ago who mentioned that they were working on a new self-esteem program," says Dawes. "Since self-esteem is such an important issue to me, I told her I would love to get involved in the program in some way. I kept in contact with her until uniquely ME! was ready to launch and eventually became the national spokesperson."

Dawes has traveled all over the country talking to young girls about self-esteem issues. Such civic-minded activities aren't unique to the championship gymnast who has been given many awards for her off-the-mat deeds, including the 1995 Henry P. Iba Citizen Athlete Award, an honor presented annually to two outstanding athletes who have demonstrated good citizenship.

It's Personal
Though you wouldn't be able to tell by her accomplishments, Dawes also struggled with self-esteem issues in her youth and understands the challenges preteen girls face.

"I was in the sport of gymnastics for 18 years," says Dawes. "I was definitely in the spotlight, and I loved what I was doing and my fans were wonderful. But at the same you get a lot of pressure put on you by fans, the media and others in the sport. I feel it's important that kids understand that positive self-esteem doesn't come from being a superstar or celebrity. It's all from within. And I want to be a positive role model for young girls today."

As a young gymnast, Dawes certainly faced a lot of stress. The sport of gymnastics, like ice skating, seems to extract a certain body image from the girls participating in them. Perfection is expected from young girls in a sport so challenging it boggles the mind. Pain is a part of the process, as is being judged. Training is difficult and takes up most of the athlete's time.

"I was often at the gym for six to eight hours a day," says Dawes. "I had to work hard. I was there sometimes when I didn't want to be there. Sometimes I got hurt. As a spokesperson for the uniquely ME! program, I get to explain to preteens around the country that celebrities and top athletes have all faced self-esteem struggles. I, too, have dealt with peer pressure, appearance concerns, etc."

Dawes tried to stay focused on why she was making the sacrifices she was for her sport and her strong support system was key in helping her overcome the challenges.

"It helped to have positive people surrounding me: my family, my coach and definitely my teammates," says Dawes. "I used their motivation for self-correction and self-discovery. And I'd remind myself that I was doing all this because I loved what I was doing. I wasn't doing the sport to please others or to win an Olympic medal and make money. I was doing it first and foremost because I loved what I was doing. It made me become who I am today."

The Importance of Self-esteem
In the uniquely ME! Program, Dawes strives to be an example and role model for young girls. Not only does she travel around the country giving talks and making appearances, she periodically checks in with Girl Scout troops to see how they are progressing with the program and participates in live Web chats with girls.

For Dawes, the importance of self-esteem for preteens can't be overstated. She cites research conducted by the Girl Scout Research Institute and other organizations that link low self-esteem with risky behaviors like smoking, suicidal thoughts, unsafe sexual behavior and many other negative tendencies.

"Numerous studies have revealed that low self-esteem leaves tweens vulnerable to self-destructive behaviors such as drinking, using drugs and eating disorders," says Dawes. "As I've traveled around this past year talking to girls, I've learned that it's hard for so many of them to find a strong quality they like about themselves. They'll talk about their clothes or they'll talk about their friends, but it's really hard for them to identify a positive quality about themselves, like their honesty or caring nature or compassion."

Dawes points out that today's preteens are facing many issues. "From negative body image and peer pressure to high academic standards and learning to balance it all, it's so important that they learn to combat these issues with positive self-esteem," she says.

Besides participating in the uniquely ME! program, Dawes has many other projects she is working on. "I'm no longer competing, but haven't exactly hung up my leotard," she says. "I have started coaching young gymnasts at my own coach's gym in Maryland and also travel around the country hosting gymnastics clinics for kids of all ages."

Her busy, community-minded life is proof positive of what self-esteem can do for a person dedicated to giving the same gift to others. But one wouldn't expect any less from a young woman who her teammates once called the "Awesome Dawesome."

You can find out more information on the uniquely ME! program at www.girlscouts.org.

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