The glow of the Lighted Tree in Faribault, Minnesota, is more than a dazzling holiday spectacle—it’s a beacon of warmth and connection in the heart of winter. Standing tall, adorned with thousands of lights that pierce the snowy night, the tree is a celebration of creativity, resilience, and tradition. It became a fitting metaphor for our recent Be the Voice of Girls (BVG) virtual session, where participants from Turkey and the United States shared their own stories of art, culture, and togetherness.
In this session, Andrew McCrea captivated the girls with tales of the Lighted Tree and other unique holiday traditions from the American Midwest. He painted a vivid picture of life during December, from ice skating shows and basketball games to the cozy glow of family gatherings by the fireplace. His stories of community resilience, like the iconic Corn Palace or the Enchanted Highway’s metal sculptures, highlighted how ordinary materials can be transformed into extraordinary creations, much like the bonds we build in BVG.
Inspired by Andrew’s stories, the girls shared their own family traditions from Turkey. They described festive meals, often featuring turkey or chicken, and nights spent playing games like Monopoly or exchanging gifts with loved ones. For many, New Year’s Eve felt like a familial Thanksgiving—a time to reflect on the past year and embrace new beginnings. Their stories added a rich, cross-cultural texture to the session, showing the universal joy of gathering and celebrating.
Art took center stage as Andrew introduced the group to the Corn Palace’s corn murals and the Enchanted Highway’s recycled metal sculptures, sparking a discussion on creativity’s boundless possibilities. The girls reflected on their favorite BVG art projects, from glasswork to painting winter scenes, and expressed a desire to explore even more creative outlets. For some, it was a moment of rediscovery, remembering that art doesn’t demand perfection—just the courage to create.
Storytelling was the thread that bound the session together. Andrew’s anecdotes of Midwestern winters and festive traditions resonated deeply with the girls, inspiring them to share their own experiences of snowy mountain villages, New Year’s kebabs, and school gift exchanges. These exchanges were a testament to the BVG mission: to empower young women through connection and the sharing of their unique voices.
As the session concluded, the Lighted Tree in Faribault seemed to embody the spirit of BVG itself—a celebration of creativity, resilience, and the light that emerges when people come together. The girls left the session inspired to see art, culture, and community in new ways, ready to shine brightly in their own unique ways.
To all who feel inspired by this journey, we invite you to support or join the Be the Voice of Girls initiative. Together, we can nurture a global network of empowered young voices and create spaces where creativity and connection flourish.
