When people hear the word leader, they often picture someone standing confidently at the front of a room, speaking without hesitation and inspiring others with bold ideas.
But leadership doesn't always begin that way.
Sometimes it begins with a girl who is afraid to raise her hand. Sometimes it begins with someone who has spent years comparing herself to others or questioning whether she belongs. More often than not, leadership begins quietly.
That's something we see every day in GLOW Club, Superniños' leadership program for girls.
For a long time, Gaby measured herself against her older sister, Andrea, who had been a standout participant in GLOW. No matter how hard she tried, she felt she could never quite measure up. Over time, however, GLOW gave her something she needed more than praise or recognition: the freedom to discover her own strengths. Surrounded by supportive mentors and peers, she began contributing more, speaking up more often, and developing confidence in who she was—not who she thought she should be.
Sofía's growth looked different. She had always been the kind of student who worked hard and supported others quietly. When the opportunity arose to run for GLOW Council, the idea felt intimidating. Campaigning meant putting herself forward and risking rejection. Despite her nerves, she decided to try. She ran, shared her ideas, and was elected by her peers. The experience didn't change who she was. It simply helped her trust the qualities she had already possessed.
Then there is Yeruti.
Just a few months before speaking at an event celebrating the International Day of Women and Girls in Science, she had experienced a major disappointment after not being accepted to her dream school. It would have been easy to withdraw or give up. Instead, she kept showing up. She continued volunteering, mentoring younger girls, and investing in her community.
When she was invited to speak publicly about her experience in GLOW, she was nervous. Standing in front of a crowd wasn't something that came naturally to her. But she stepped forward anyway.
"GLOW is a safe place," she told the audience.
The words were simple, but they reflected something important: the confidence to share her story and trust that her voice mattered.
The girls of GLOW have different personalities, strengths, and dreams. Some are outspoken. Some are quiet. Some discover confidence quickly, while others find it one step at a time.
What they share is the opportunity to grow in an environment that encourages them to speak, lead, question, and support one another.
Again and again, we watch girls realize that leadership isn't about becoming someone else. It's about becoming more fully yourself.
