The Postcard Movement: Empowering Women Through Handwritten Notes in Seattle's Lululemon
Recently, I attended a vision board party at Lululemon in Kirkland, Washington. An intimate gathering of 12-15 people created the perfect setting for meaningful connections and personal empowerment through my postcard movement.
The event began beautifully, with everyone sharing their name, origin, and something they were grateful for. I introduced myself: "I'm Shay. I'm from Brooklyn, New York, and I'm grateful for my health." This intimate atmosphere created the perfect environment for authentic connections to form.
During the event, I was privileged to write postcards for two remarkable women. First was Shelly, whose gentle and welcoming presence immediately made an impact. She initiated the conversation and created a warm environment as the first person to arrive after me. In her postcard, I acknowledged her "gentle and beautiful energy" and thanked her for her welcoming presence.
The second recipient was Adaeze, the Lululemon ambassador whose energy I found intoxicating and empowering. In her postcard, I celebrated how she inspires other women by demonstrating that it's possible to embody both beauty and strength. Her contagious energy and positive light made everyone want to be around her.
What makes my postcard interactions unique is their intentionality. I don't write generic messages - each note captures something specific about the recipient - their energy, spirit, or the impact of our interaction. While this approach limits the number of postcards I can write at an event, it ensures that each message carries genuine meaning and personal connection.
The reactions to these postcards varied. While Shelly chose to read hers later in private, Adaeze's reaction was captured on camera, creating a beautiful shared moment. These different responses taught me the importance of respecting each recipient's preferred way of receiving and processing these messages of encouragement.
Through my ElevaShe initiative, this postcard movement aims to reach 10,000 women with messages of encouragement and empowerment. It's not just about distributing notes - it's about creating meaningful connections and celebrating the unique light each woman brings to the world. As I always say, ElevaShe wasn't built for me - it was built to empower and encourage women of all generations.
Follow our accounts on instagram @be.elevashe and @thepostcardmovement to stay updated on our movement and experience the interactions of the women we’ve encountered.