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G.I.R.L.S. Rock Sacramento

“I am my own muse. I am the subject I know best. The subject I wish to know better.” —Frida Kahlo

For the last seven years, my daughter has been part of an amazing organization called G.I.R.L.S. Rock Sacramento (Gender Inclusivity through Radical Love and Support). It’s a wonderful nonprofit 501 C-3 organization that does far more than teach girls to play instruments.

Their mission statement is to help those who identify as girls, non-binary, or gender-expansive youth build self-esteem through music education and performance, collaboration, empowerment, a supportive community of peers and mentors, and the development of leadership skills.

They do this by putting together bands and guiding them as they create an original song. Prior music experience isn’t required, and for some, this is the first time they’ve played an instrument. The week they spend together is filled with workshops, mentors, and fun. It’s incredibly important we support programs like this as they can be life-saving, particularly for LGBTQ+ youth who may not feel safe being themselves.

I’ve watched my daughter grow immensely each summer in confidence and skill. Every single person involved is loving, caring and genuinely wants to help these girls thrive. The love here is what the world needs and I’m beyond grateful for this supportive community.

Last night I had the opportunity to watch my daughter’s band Limerence record their song at Rosa Mortem Recording Studio. From the moment we arrived, the owner Ashley gave freely of herself, her space, and her time. I was floored by the way these girls were treated as professional musicians and how much they rose to the occasion.

The girls recorded in the studio for five hours and Ashley and her assistants are doing the same for all five bands. In addition, she’s using her talent and expertise to make the songs sound the very best they can. It’s no small thing, but a generous gift and remarkable to witness. I left feeling tremendous hope for the future and with a full heart.

The recording studio resides in the Sacramento Media Center and Ashley gave the girls a tour of the entire building. Perhaps this exposure will lead one of them to consider a career in the technical side of production. It sure made me wish I could be a part of this magic.

One of the back rooms belongs to Odin Makes, a YouTube channel that has been described as “a cooking show for props”. This was a highlight for the girls and for me. I’m absolutely obsessed now with watching his videos and hopefully can meet him someday.

Myki Angeline, who you can find at Myki on Middays on 98 Rock, has been involved in G.I.R.L.S. Rock Sacramento since the beginning teaching self-defense. She was at the recording studio last night bringing her positive energy, encouragement, and playfulness. Also, maybe, revealing her true superhero persona.

You might consider sponsoring a girl for the camp or donating to help cover costs. For more information visit:

56 thoughts on “G.I.R.L.S. Rock Sacramento”

  2. Sounds like a blast. While not specifically focused on a certain group, the place my twins take music lessons does week-long band-camps throughout the summer and they are both itching to start their own bands as a result, so I can imagine the looks in the kiddos eyes at your location. If I lived closer to a non-profit like yours, I might consider lending my engineering skills (the twins are at a for-profit venture, so I won’t help them unless they pay me).

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    • You’d love this organization. It’s filled with talented musicians who just want to support young women in finding their voice. It’s really incredible! What instrument do your kids play? Lola’s landed on the bass and my boy is an electric guitar guy. Me…ukulele 🙂

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      • One has been singing since forever and it’s time she refined her voice and learn more than a handful of Disney songs. She’s getting better. The other twin is learning keyboard and it doesn’t come naturally to her, but she’s doing really good considering.

        My eldest has dabbled with bass guitar, but gets distracted too easily. She’s not taking lessons but she might pick it up again at her art school when she starts this fall.

        Me? Jack of all instruments, expert at exactly zero. Mostly guitar and keyboards, got my start playing bass guitar for an old school goth band back in the day. Not above picking up something new. Might get a cheap uke if my father doesn’t give me his mandola like he said he would…

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  3. Glad your daughter’s had such a great time there! 🙂 Sounds like the music’s been a huge boost for her creativity and self-confidence & plenty of different inspiring people working there. ❤

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      • You are welcome. Thanks for sharing. Reminds me of my daughter’s experience at a band camp at San Diego State University, when she was in middle school. A few summers of similar activities. Watching the bands perform their song was impressive! 👏🏻

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  6. Your daughter is doing such a great job. Hat’s off to her. Being the inspiration of thousands is though not easy but achieving the self worth is way more important. She not only did something good but enjoyed herself to it and made you a proud mother.

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  10. Cool, as we say, if this were the 60’s. I still am. I like this studio, but especially, mostly – I like seeing the people. So much meaning is carried in their lives, appealing to me. Funny because once upon a hundred years ago, I was the opposite way – get those people out of my photograph. Ha – call me a pendulum! I’m all glad for your daughter having this place to express her passion. And such companionship means a lot. Happy is.

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  12. That is so cool! I wish I had a group like this to join, growing up. Being myself has always been a huge struggle for me. Yet God has brought wonderful and amazing women into my life to help me thrive at being myself. It’s so great you’ve helped your daughter grow and learn to be herself. Major mom props, Bridgette. btw I prefer to be called Maddie 🙂

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    • Thank you, Maddie! Yes, it’s so important to find safe spaces where we are accepted just as we are. G.I.R.L.S. Rock is one of those. It protects and nurtures while building self-esteem. It’s really incredible.

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  13. Is this event for a particular sex? Like AFAB (assigned female at birth) because usually women and nonbinary spaces are technically just female groups and targeted towards femaleness.

    You’re probably wondering why I’m asking such a particular, strange question, but I always wonder about women/girl and nonbinary spaces as an AFAB nonbinary person. Sometimes when I ask, some people interpret as I’m being anti woman.

    Is this just a thing that lumps any woman like female thing and just talk about the trials and tribulations of female hood without actually acknowledging all different types of nonbinarism…

    Is this only cis girls and AFAB nonbinary? Is it for trans women? Is it exclusionary towards AMABs, especially nonbinary ones?

    It adds onto the extra headache—that I mostly deal with in my spaces—that when females are transgender they can only be nonbinary and diet women/woman-lite and other anti ugly woman stereotypes and when males are transgender they are usually only binary trans women with predatory male stereotypes.

    Anywho, I probably sound mentally ill and I mean, I am to some people from my identity alone, but I’ve always wanted to figure out what this means and why two mostly different identities would get lumped together.🤷🏾

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    • Thank you for trusting me with your truth. Yes, our society needs to do a lot of growth in the acceptance department. Everyone should be accepted exactly how they are. We’ve had all these spectrums of gender forever, it’s just now we have names for these things. I think that’s fantastic.

      As for G.I.R.L.S. Rock Sacramento, they are very inclusionary. They are open to anyone who identifies female, that includes transgender and not limited to AFAB. There are lots of LGTBQ youth and some do identify as nonbinary and not all are female presenting. Everyone is accepted and loved. They pay attention to pronouns and have workshops on gender. They are truly loving to everyone. The idea is to encourage girls, but not limit that definition. They’ve done a great job with that.

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  15. Fantastic! The organization’s mission, your daughter’s involvement, and your photos. Great, Bridgette. Very nice you share music studio and instruments. it sounds like you and your daughter enjoyed it.♥️!
    Wonderful all photos.

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      • Over the years, I sang in local college choirs, but eventually, the desire faded. Writing became my go-to for those time slots, and my voice isn’t what is was. I don’t exercise it, so it’s changed. And that’s okay. I had my time in the spotlight, singing in front of enthusiastic audiences, a feeling I can’t explain, and trophies sit on the shelf to keep those memories alive. There is a story in my book about my singing days, just sayin’ 🙂 I think what your daughter is doing is fabulous!

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      • Oh, sorry, Bridgette, I don’t mean to be pushy, but singing was a big part of my life. So a story about that chapter had to be in my memoir which is why I mentioned it. Anyway, I understand about time. You’re still a very active mom and a great one. Our kids are adults and out of the house, so I devote each evening to reading just before we go to bed. I hope you enjoy my book when you have time, and I’m grateful that you bought a copy. 🩷🙏🏻

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      • You aren’t pushy at all! Sorry if my comment came across like that 🙂 I’m usually so tired at the end of the day I don’t have much left in me to read even. Your book is on my pile beside my bed and I know I’ll love it when I get there 🙂

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