All images via: Positive Proof Productions
No matter the circumstances, 7-year-old Jordan West believes that “every girl deserves to be a princess for a day.” So much so, that she and her mom Olivia West raised almost $10,000 dollars through fundraising to take 14 girls, many of whom live in foster care, to a place where they could have the ultimate princess experience: Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida.
During the event held on August 4, the girls were gifted park passes, gift bags, and their very own princess gowns. They also met some of their favorite Disney princesses, and were treated to a princess spa experience at the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique at Cinderella’s Castle.
“We wanted it to be the best day ever,” Olivia West said. “Learning about foster care and (how) some of these kids have traumatic experiences and unpleasant memories, it’s nice to be able to place some great memories in their memory box.”
Jordan hosted her first princess party in July of 2016 at the now closed Sweet and Sassy children’s spa in Pittsford, New York- where about 24 girls, who were in currently in foster care, spent the day receiving the royal treatment, including a limo ride to the salon.
After hearing about the event, the White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for African Americans invited Jordan to the White House to host another princess party, but this time for 115 young African American girls. While there, Jordan read her book, “Champions of Change: Princess for a Day”, which tells the true inspiring story about how she organizes and hosts a princess party for girls who are homeless or living in the foster care system.
To pull off her most extravagant princess party to date, Jordan had garage sales, sold lemonade and hosted a “Pennies for Princesses” event, which encouraged her family and friends to donate pennies to her Disney princess party. The 7-year-old also received private donations.
“She’s really excited to interact with the girls,” Olivia West said of her daughter. “She writes affirmations for these girls [that say], ‘You are beautiful, you are loved.’ That really touches me as a mom and I really hope that she continues thinking about others.”
We’ve got a feeling that Jordan will continue to empower young girls and spread her Black girl magic one princess party at a time.