Hi, I'm Laurisa, Founder of Girls Who Know®
When I was a girl, I wanted more than anything for my family to be happy and believed it was my job to fix the pain of those around me. As a teen, I learned to give up my voice for the comfort of others. I also hated my body and abused myself with food. As a woman, I was ignorant about the process of childbirth and my options and rights in labor. I did not know the problems with our current maternity care system and left childbirth feeling traumatized by what everyone called a "healthy" birth.
Then everything changed.
I learned to see myself and my story with deep reverence and began to feel an intense love for womanhood. With the help of a therapist and years of hard work, I made peace with my body and healed my relationship with food. I rediscovered my powerful voice, and began to live on purpose.
I became a nurse and birth worker and learned first-hand what women must know to come away from childbirth feeling powerful rather than scarred. I experienced my own power-filled birth where I was respected and celebrated, and I was never the same again.
Girls Who Know® is my contribution to raising the next generation differently. Our girls are amazing. They inspire me every day. They are ready to know. They are hungry. They are so, so capable. And so are we.
Raising girls who can make courageous, informed decisions about their lives is a huge responsibility. And we've got what it takes. Together, we are completely and thoroughly up for the task.
How I became passionate about improving birth: