Dove -- and its Self-Esteem Project -- is teaming up with Shonda Rhimes again to launch Girl Collective, to help raise the self-esteem of the next generation. 

Inaugural members of The Girl Collective group include Shonda Rhimes, Musician SZA, Transgender Activist Jazz Jennings, intimate apparel brand Aerie, Viral Dance Group Syncopated Ladies -- and many more powerful and inspiring voices.

Rhimes, who has been working with Dove for two years as 'chief storyteller' in an effort to ensure every woman and girl sees herself represented in media and culture, says, "Six in 10 girls believe that to do well in life they have to look a certain way and that just shouldn't be. Last year I participated in my first-ever Dove Self-Esteem Workshop and I was inspired by the power of women and girls connecting to tackle issues that impact so many of us. I'm proud to be a part of this remarkable community which illustrates the magic we can unlock when we work together to inspire change and build confidence."

The Girl Collective Launch

Dove marked the launch of Girl Collective with an electrifying super-event in Los Angeles on Saturday, October 6 – the largest convening of its kind in the brand's history.

Hundreds of women and girls attended a series of powerful social conversations inspiring everyone to take action to raise self-esteem, all powered by Dove Self-Esteem Project accredited curriculum.

Rhimes participated in a stimulating panel with powerful young women about expanding representation. Shonda urged women and girls to remember they are the main character of their own story, encouraging them to claim their power and begin defining beauty for themselves.

Musician SZA and Dove Self-Esteem Educator Dre Brown explored the relationship our culture and ethnicity play in defining our beauty identities during the discussion, Skin Deep. SZA encouraged girls to create their own beauty standards rather than subscribe to someone else's.

Transgender Activist Jazz Jennings joined Sexuality & Relationship expert Dr. Logan Levkoff to challenge ideas of gender, beauty and femininity to create new appreciation for and acceptance of beauty that is fluid. Through examples of her own journey, Jazz's helped the collective understand that they have the power to create their own reality. 

Amy Stepanian, Director of Marketing at Dove says, "We launched the Dove Self-Esteem Project in 2004 with the intent of helping the next generation develop a positive relationship with beauty and provide parents and mentors the resources to impact the self-esteem of the girls in their lives. Since then, we are immensely proud to have reached more than 20 million young lives with self-esteem education and are working to reach 40 million by 2020."

Join Girl Collective

Dove is asking fans to join its Facebook group, DoveGirlCollective - and share honest, authentic and practical advice and co-create real solutions that can ensure girls are in control of their own confidence and happiness.

Photo Credit and Caption: Photo courtesy of Dove. Shonda Rhimes participated in a panel with powerful young women, including musician SZA, transgender activist Jazz Jennings, and body-positive blogger Alexandra Thomas, about representation.