There is a universal truth on which adolescent girls and adult women almost universally agree : Girls are mean and that’s not likely to change. But two determined alumni have started a movement to end that belief and reality.
The two were featured on Dr. Phil Aug. 25 and Sept. 1 they began a six-week journey across the country in a car donated by Toyota. Their goal is to spread a simple message of kindness.
The movement is not specific to girls but as Parsekian said “There is a line you don’t cross.” Stroud added “and females tend to cross it.”
The point of “Kind Campaign” is to raise awareness and start dialogue.
“People need to know they are not alone in these experiences said Parsekian. It is not about pointing the finger it is about getting everyone on the same page.”
The idea came to Parsekian at Telluride a film festival in Colorado she attended a year ago. She did not have any specific idea of what she wanted to do but her experiences with bullying in middle school left her compelled to do something about how people treated each other; she also knew documentaries intrigued her. She then came up with an idea that combined the two.
She presented the idea to someone she knew would help her achieve her vision — that is when Stroud came in — and Parkesian’s dream started to take shape.
The girls’ dream has become a reality. Parkesian and Stroud visited Coogie’s on Sept. 1 to bid their friends former Pepperdine classmates and professors farewell before departing on their journey to film the Campaign’s documentary. Among these visitors was Tom Shadyac professor and director of films including Bruce Almighty Liar Liar and Ace Ventura.
“He has been a huge support in so many ways said Parkesian, who interned with him for about a year. If it weren’t for him I never would have been at Telluride.”
Parkesian’s cousin Chris Hamilton who attended AFI’s Cinemotography Program filmed the flurry of excitement at Coogie’s.
“We will literally be driving around the United States. Our first stop is Wala Wala Washington. Then we will be going east to New York south to South Carolina then west through Alabama Texas and New Mexico. This trip will end where it began: at Pepperdine said Stroud. We will be going to schools around the United States and talking to the girls opening some lines of communication.”
“It will be an adventure said Parkesian.
They will be having this adventure in style. Among their number of supporters was Vehicle Crown Toyota in Ontario and Chris Harrison, the host of the ABC show The Bachelor, who donated enough money to cover gas for the new car.
I don’t think this is a coincidence. I think this how things lined up because people need this Parkesian said.
Tetia Stroud Molly Stroud’s mother said she supports the effort.
“The more people know about the way girls treat each other the more likely it is to stop she said. We just need to make people aware.”
After countless hours of planning everything has come together. Parkesian and Stroud have completed the vision and could not have done so without one another.
“She is the other half of this whole thing Parkesian said. I can’t help feeling like there are no better people for this job.”
