Cynthia Germanotta

“As a mother, May always reminds me of the end of the school year and the excitement, uncertainty, anticipation, and accomplishment that my girls experienced. This season marks milestones for our children as they move into new phases in their lives.”

“Through the Born Brave Bus Tour and other initiatives, we have provided youth with a safe space to tell their stories and, through partnerships with more than 50 like-minded organizations, with access to resources and services in their communities when talking is not enough.”

“When my daughter Stefani - who most people know as Lady Gaga - was a child, she had to learn painful lessons about the dangers of cruelty and the importance of kindness.”

“Talking is so important. Talking to our children about how they're doing and how they're feeling and also thinking of ways big and small to spend time together.”

“I think as parents, our natural instinct is to go into problem-solving mode.”

“I love to power-walk.”

“A young person's capacity to understand and manage their emotions and their ability to relate effectively to others will influence nearly every aspect of their lives, from their capacity to learn in the classroom to their decision-making and success in relationships.”

“You can be an optimist, but you can also not be okay, you know, at certain points in time.”

“One thing that was really important in our family was family dinners and nothing was really off limits, but I have to say, looking back, I don't think we ever talked about mental health.”

“We were expected to be tough and strong and get on with it. So, I didn't know how to model a healthy conversation.”

“I was raised differently, where you just have to be tough and not talk about your emotions.”

“Kindness is not a nice-to-have, it's a must-have - for ourselves and for others.”

“Mastering tools and strategies to flourish emotionally provides a solid foundation that can last a lifetime.”

“With social media, it's another place, another venue for young people to go. I talk about using it wisely, the wise freedom of using social media, because it can be used for good, which it should, but we also see a lot of harassment, you know, online.”

“I grew up in what I would consider a very small town - like 800 people - in West Virginia.”

“Here at Born This Way Foundation, we believe that everyone has the right to feel safe, and to have the skills and opportunities to be empowered and to make a difference in the world.”

“Some of the reasons people don't approach their parents is they're afraid of being judged. And also their parents don't share their own struggles with them, which I didn't do.”

“There's immense power in being kind to others and to ourselves.”

“Stefani was very unique and that wasn't always appreciated by her peers and, as a result, she went through a lot of difficult times. Humiliated, taunted, isolated. When you're a young woman, this really severely impacts you.”

“For me, I always like to be on the lookout for small ways to be there for someone - saying hello to a neighbor and asking honestly how their day is going, calling my mom in West Virginia to check in, or treating a stranger in the cafe line behind me to a cup of coffee.”