To honor the first anniversary of her acclaimed book Lean In, Sheryl Sandberg debuted an even more remarkable initiative: The #BanBossy Campaign.

Banning the word “bossy” is something Sheryl Sandberg and her foundation, LeanIn.org, hope to achieve with support from former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and Girl Scouts CEO Anna Maria Chávez; this way young girls won’t be intimidated or discouraged from taking on leadership roles. ”We know that by middle school, more boys than girls want to lead,” Sandberg said in an interview with ABC, “and if you ask girls why they don’t want to lead, whether it’s the school project all the way on to running for office, they don’t want to be called bossy, and they don’t want to be disliked.”

Through this campaign, these powerful women are striving to provide a public service announcement. With the goal of educating parents and teachers on how to support young girls in their leadership ambitions, they focus on dissolving the negative connotations associated with being “bossy.” As Sandberg was once labeled as such herself during her childhood—an experience that inflicted pain upon her—the importance of dispersing such stigmas is clear. “My teacher took my best friend Mindy aside and she said, ‘You shouldn’t be friends with Sheryl. She’s bossy.” In the vital years of development, girls are instilled with these kinds of attitudes and beliefs that make them capable of being referred to later on as “boss.”

Sandberg and Chávez want to emphasize that they are not promoting any form of discourteous or confrontational conduct. ”Leadership is not bullying and leadership is not aggression,” Sandberg said. “Leadership is the expectation that you can use your voice for good. That you can make the world a better place.” Our ultimate ambition is to get parents and educators conversing about the future female leaders of our world. Young girls should be encouraged to envision their aspirations, while never being hesitant to strive for those influential leadership roles they truly desire.

To further motivate young women, why not get some of their favorite celebrities to join the campaign? Beyoncé and Jennifer Garner have both signed up, featuring in a PSA on Lifetime television. Through this initiative, you can pledge to never use words such as ‘bossy’ again! So sign up now at banbossy.com – don’t forget to watch the PSA below for more information!

Are you wondering if one word can really make a difference in the world? Sheryl Sandberg answered that question with an adamant “Yes!”

Will you join us in making this pledge? Show your support by leaving a comment below!

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