Whether it’s a stranger in the women’s room at a bar hyping up your outfit or your best friend showing up with flowers after you received a promotion, there’s nothing like a little girl power to put some pep in your step.
Women are famous for being one another’s cheerleaders, even if they don’t know each other’s names, so we’ve got a list down below that celebrates that supportive female energy. Reddit users have been sharing their best examples of girls supporting girls in the wild, so enjoy reading through this list and be sure to upvote the stories that make you want to leave kind comments on a friend’s Instagram pics!
#1
I’m a nurse and I work in a unit that is almost exclusively female staff. One of our coworkers, it turns out was in an abusive relationship and needed to flee with her children, and was worried because she didn’t feel safe, she didn’t have any extra money, or a place to stay. The rest of the staff.(and there are eight of us total including this particular nurse)got a fund together, and moved her and her children out of her house, and into one of our coworkers family, Summer cabin (a near by lake). We made all of this happened in 48 hours.
She lived there rent free with her kids for a couple of months while she got her self together and then got her own place with her kids. When women been together to help other women, they are unstoppable.
437points
#2
I was going through airport security in LA some years back when the button holding the strap of my dress in place just randomly popped off, causing my dress top to just fall and expose my bra/chest to a very crowded area. Within SECONDS, women from all around surrounded me, lifted my dress, located a safety pin, had me pinned back in place…and another woman walked to a store inside the security side to locate a travel sewing kit for me. I realized that I do it, too. Women keep an eye on other women, especially those who are alone, and we are ready to assist immediately.
This was a very superficial example, but it renewed my faith in other women to remember (and experience) that we look out for one another.
This was a very superficial example, but it renewed my faith in other women to remember (and experience) that we look out for one another.
341points
#3
One time I was road tripping with some friends, my crush, and one of my friends new gf. I had never met her before, but she must have been able to quickly tell I had a crush on one of the guys in the car despite me trying to be as subtle as possible.
Well I got incredibly car sick on the first day and once we got to our hotel for the night I completely destroyed the bathroom. The guys had all went grocery shopping while me, my friend, the new gf all stayed back. I was extremely embarrassed because we were all sharing the space and the most horrifying thing when you’re 19 is the guy you’re crushing knowing you poop.
Before I even open the door completely, new gf handed me pepto bismol and some Advil and asked if I needed anything else. It was really sweet of her but there was no spray and nothing was going to fix that bathroom in time before my crush got back (I didn’t tell her that of course).
I was laying down once my crush got back, and they all walked in and immediately started acting obnoxious. Before they could even finish their words, new gf told them how sick she got on the ride and how sorry she was. I legit almost cried happy tears.
They made fun of her the rest of the time and it never phased her. To this day it was the greatest act of solidarity I’ve ever seen. I did totally hook up with my crush that trip, but most importantly that new gf was the maid of honor at our wedding!
331points
To find out how this conversation about girl power started in the first place, we reached out to Reddit user Hairy-Swordfish3914, who posed the question, "What's the best example of girls supporting girls you've ever seen in your life?”
She was kind enough to have a chat with Bored Panda and share that she wanted to make a post that would make people feel good at the end of the day. "Online, I see so many women tearing down other women, so I wanted to remind myself and others that there is kindness in the world," Hairy-Swordfish3914 says.
#4
My period leaked through my beige shorts in high school and I had no idea. A girl ran up to me and wrapped her sweatshirt around my waist and never asked for the sweatshirt back. This was 15 years ago and I still think about what a kind gesture that was
328points
#5
I was 16 years old, recently diagnosed with EDD (emotional dysregulation disorder) and attending a class. During one of these classes (I believe it was a month or so long) I was very quiet (I was usually really chatty) because I was having a bad day. One of the girls wrote me note saying “Stay safe, next week will be better” and slipped it on my desk after the class. I ended up crying because she didn’t know at the time I was suicidal. I have that note taped to my cabinet in my room.
297points
We also asked the OP about some of her own experiences with girls having each other's backs. "I'd definitely say that the biggest way I've experienced being supported by other women is the way my mother supports me," she shared. "I haven't always been kind to her (especially during teenage years!), but I will remain eternally grateful for her presence in my life."
#6
Older guy asking two younger woman inappropriate questions in the supermarket, they looked very uncomfortable but not wanting to be rude.
Random older woman pushed her trolley between them and collected items, making sure the girls could walk away easily
Random older woman pushed her trolley between them and collected items, making sure the girls could walk away easily
287points
#7
I went to a concert alone for the first time this year at 18 and in the queue I was surrounded by groups of guys who kept checking me out. It made me really nervous (I honestly thought about just leaving) but then this girl came over to say I looked lonely and asked if I wanted to join their group. Ended up having an amazing time with them all and they made me feel a lot safer.
278points
As far as why it's important for women to look out for one another, the OP says it's crucial for us to help each other with issues that primarily affect women. "In other words, since we understand these issues better, we are able to help other women with these issues more effectively."
#8
Holiday dinner a few years ago. Excused myself from the table to use the restroom. While I'm tinkling, I hear wretching and vomiting in the adjacent stall. My heart sank. Been there, done that, thanks to years of chemotherapy.
Finished up, exited my stall, and washed my hands. But I didn't feel quite ready to leave the bathroom. Something in me just kept tugging at me, saying: *stay.* And so I did.
The lady emerges from her stall. She apologizes for the vomiting. I reassure her it's no problem at all, I know how it is! As she's about to wash her hands, another heave of nausea washes over her. I know this because *I've been there*. I've experienced those same heaves of nausea myself.
I immediately and swiftly (but gently) pushed her back into the bathroom stall, and held what little hair she had left while she heaved and vomited into the toilet. Rubbed her back, and held her forehead. She turned around and asked: *how did you know?*
*I've got you, sis. I know. I've been there.*
She finished puking, and I helped her freshen up. We exited the bathroom, arm in arm, and walked back out to the dining area. Her table was near mine. Before we parted ways, we hugged. Never even got her name, but in that moment, we were kindred spirits and practically sisters.
271points
#9
Goth club all ages night. I was 18. I had an at least 40yo dude creeping up on me, constantly trying to get my number. Three goth ladies 25-40 came up and basically adopted me for a bit. He got right the f**k out of dodge. I am now the Elder Goth that does the same.
I’d describe these ladies as Mother, Maiden, and Will-Eat-Your-Soul. Lovely, gorgeous women.
264points
Hairy-Swordfish3914 also told Bored Panda that she enjoyed reading through the replies to her post. "One that stood out to me was a reply about women going to the women's march in Toronto to support women's health care in the states. It's so powerful to see women supporting each other whilst separated by a border."
#10
Recently I got ran off the highway into the median by a guy in a pickup truck. The lady behind me pulled over to ask if I was ok and stayed with me until the cops came. I was *extremely* grateful because the guy lied to the cops and said I hit him, but she vouched for me.
247points
#11
My nanny (grandmother) worked in a family planning clinic when she was younger. Once, a woman came in with a ton of children in tow, an abusive husband, and an IUD. The husband demanded that the clinic take out his wife's IUD. My nanny took the woman back to the exam room alone, where the woman, in broken English, explained that they couldn't take out the IUD, that she couldn't have any more children with this man, and that he was abusive. My nanny didn't, and told the husband she did. She's a hero to me.
244points
#12
A girl ran into a packed women's room at a bar crying and drunk and said her ex was there following her around being awful and her phone was dead. One girl let her borrow a phone so she could call her roomie for a ride, another girl alerted a bouncer and the bartender to the creep (who literally was waiting OUTSIDE THE BATHROOM and blocking others from getting in!), and me and another girl texted our bfs to get the dude away from the door. Once he was gone and the roomie was close, we surrounded her in a girl barrier and took her outside to her ride. The ex was creeping around outside and smoking and watching in disdain as she left. This was a collective of five girls (including her roommate) and two bfs helping one girl avoid a creepy ex at a bar and it was beautiful. Women's room solidarity and safety is honestly a real thing and one reason it's a place I feel safe in even the shadiest of bars.
242points
#13
My daughter (13) just wrapped up 8 performances of a local community theater production for which she was the lead. Her bestie attended at least 3 of the shows and during curtain call each time she stood up and screamed "woohoo that's my bestie!!!!Way to go!!!" I told my daughter having a hype girl on your side is an irreplaceable gift.
229points
#14
Mine is when I called my child’s pediatrician to change my address after I filed for divorce and we had to move to my parents. After the receptionist got me all sorted she said “I’m going to get a little personal with you here, but I just wanted to say that you’ll start to feel better soon. Sooner than you’d think. It could also be a year from now but you will feel better than you did before. You just keep doing what you’re doing and look after yourself and that child and you’ll be great”. And said she had been there and knew what it was like. Oh lord it took all I had not to just sob and sob. I’ll never forget you Sherry!!
I’m gonna save this thread for anytime someone’s dusty son makes me think I don’t like being a woman
I’m gonna save this thread for anytime someone’s dusty son makes me think I don’t like being a woman
204points
#15
This is just a silly recent example that came to mind. I was sitting outside a Starbucks and there was a group of tween girls hanging around. They started playing "Truth or Dare," and they dared one girl to sing out loud. She did, and the others were just like "Wow that was actually really good, Ashley!"
Then, they dared each other to "go compliment a stranger." One girl came up to me and said she liked my phone case, lol.
I just thought it was all very wholesome and cute.
203points
#16
One time in a bar, a girl I didn't know approached me and asked for a tampon. I told her I didn't have any and in fact, was kind of in the same situation as her. She looked me straight in the eyes and promised me she'd find tampons for both of us.
She actually came back about 10 minutes later and handed me a tampon.
195points
#17
I have Tourette's Syndrome. Me and my friend were having drinks together at a bar. We had just both ordered a shot to take together, but my tics started acting up and I lost control of my hands and couldn't hold the glass without potentially throwing it at someone. I tried a couple times, but had to put it down. So my friend was like, "want me to just pour this shot in your mouth for you?" And I said yes and she fed me the shot of tequila. It was so funny and it actually made me feel less self conscious about my Tourette's. We must have looked insane but I felt very cared for in that moment and was laughing my a*s off
188points
#18
When I was in primary school we were playing tunnel-ball and the girl in front of me had a little red stain on her pants. I quietly switched spots with another girl and let her know that the girl in front of me had a spot on her pants - "can you tell her" (I was not comfortable in bringing it up with the girl). She then took off her sweater and gave it to her to wrap around her waist and they went off to the bathroom.
As a dude, I am pretty proud of my younger self for handling that in a discrete and mature manner. But the way her friend just went into "girls supporting girls" mode will always stick in my mind. Total respect.
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180points
#19
I had a pregnant client timidly ask if I could reverse a portion of her recent monthly charge- it was something like $10- because she was a little short and could really use the help. I told her to let me take a look and I’d see what I could do. Went through her history a ways, and decided that she really should have had a different type of account, and credited her back $100 or something. I told her that I’d gone ahead and reversed some past fees, and showed her the new balance. She looked at me and was like, are you serious?? and just started bawling her eyes out, then I started crying, and now I’m crying again thinking about it lol
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162points
#20
My online mom group. It started 25 years ago as a text-only message board where new mothers talked about raising our babies and work/life balance. Members have come and gone, but we are still a core group of about 50 women, now supporting each other through caring for elderly parents, cancer, divorce, deaths, job loss, etc. and celebrating the good things in life. Those babies we raised are getting married, having their own babies, getting PhDs, and running the world. I didn’t have a great local group of mom friends, so my online group filled the gap.
160points