Bindi Irwin Opens up About Inspring Young Girls and Raising a Daughter | “I’m Incredibly Lucky to Be Her Mama”

When television celebrity and proud mother Bindi Irwin was invited to write the preface for the fifth book of "Good Night Stories from Rebel Girls: 100 Inspiring Changemakers," she jumped at the chance, given that she is a mother to a young girl. She welcomed her first child Grace with her husband Chandler Powell in March 2021. In an interview with PEOPLE Bindi, along with her mother Terri, share the joys of their journey so far. Bindi shared that the anthology is "absolutely inspiring for young changemakers around the world." The anthology's 5th edition, devoted to fostering the world's most inspired and confident generation of young women, will be featuring Taylor Swift, Zendaya, Greta Thunberg, Emma Raducanu, and many such inspiring creators, activists, and entrepreneurs. The personal histories of each girl and woman profiled are told in the style of a bedtime story for young readers.

"I'm excited for my beautiful daughter to read this series as she grows up, as I know she'll be empowered by the incredible stories shared," she said, adding, "It was an honor to write the forward for this book and I hope to encourage the next generations to believe in their strength to make a difference in the world."

When asked what the book means to her, Bindi shared that reading the stories of so many young changemakers in this book "has deeply inspired me and I know it will do the same for everyone who reads their stories." She adds, "From activists to entrepreneurs, the girls and women in this book are truly shaking up the world for the better and creating long-lasting legacies. "Rebel Girls" reaches beyond the books, they are a movement, motivating youth to create positive change on the planet."

Sharing her hopes for her young child, the 24-year-old said, "Grace already has such a strong and independent personality. My hope is that she feels supported to undertake and accomplish anything she sets her mind to. I'm incredibly lucky to be her mama, holding her hand as she navigates life until she's ready to take on the world. Although, as a mum, I'll always be there for her to lean on whenever she needs me."

Bindi's mother Terri shared what she did to ensure Bindi had a conducive environment for her to be raised as a strong, confident woman. "I wanted to give her the opportunity to feel comfortable with public speaking, so she joined me to tell guests about our amazing wildlife, whether it was a Galapagos tortoise demonstration or a koala talk. I felt that if she could learn about wildlife and teach others by addressing a large crowd, she would be able to have the confidence to be a leader in her chosen field."

Adding her own hopes on what Grace might be like, the proud grandmother shared that she hopes Grace could be a changemaker for women, saying, "I would like her to have the opportunity to be a role model through her specific passions in life. Whatever her chosen field, I hope to be able to give her the tools and confidence to be a leader and an inspiration for other girls. Not only do I believe she can achieve her dreams, I want to encourage her to achieve goals that are even beyond what she dreams possible!"

In her foreword for the Rebel Girls anthology, Bindi specifies the importance of "the empathy my parents taught me", sharing that the trait contributes to every action she takes. "I’m proud to be part of a global initiative to protect our Mother Earth," she wrote.

References:

https://people.com/parents/bindi-irwin-raising-daughter-grace-always-be-there/

https://nccrea.com/bindi-irwin-good-night-stories-for-rebel-girls-foreword/

Cover Image Source: Instagram | @bindisueirwin