As a young child, Khloe Thompson would often walk past a homeless woman on her way to elementary school. She remembers asking her mom about the woman who she later learned was named Michelle. The experience affected her so much day after day, that at the young age of eight and with the help of her family, Khloe created a non-profit organization khloekares.com. Since the creation, she has given away over 20,000 hygiene Kare Bags to vulnerable women. The reusable bags, that she often sews herself, are filled with essential supplies like shampoo, soap, and toothbrushes.
Khloe believes each one of us can be the change at any age. Now 16 years old, she has traveled throughout the United States telling her story of how giving back to others has changed her life. She also has her sights on helping thousands of kids in the country of Ghana. She has helped to get water pumps and bathroom facilities in at least three villages there and has spoken to thousands of kids encouraging them to be change makers in their communities. Khloe is not only an ambassador for change, she is also a scholar student, author, and entrepreneur starting a company called PeachTree Pads. She tells us after doing research, she learned that single use feminine products were full of harmful plastics and ingredients. PeachTree Pads are designed to be sustainable, comfortable, and better for our bodies. Go Khloe!!!
As part of our Be Kind & Co. WomanKIND series, Khloe shares how kindness plays a part in every decision she has made along the way.
1. How do you define kindness?
Kindness is the act of being selfless and caring or doing something with the expectation that you will get nothing in return.
2. How do you lead with kindness in your personal life?
I have always been kind. Even as a little girl I was kind. I would give my snacks away to kids who didn’t have snacks during break. Being kind is just how my heart works. I think leading with kindness is just easy and it’s a part of my DNA. In my personal life, I choose to be kind because I want people to always see a light of kindness over me. I want to be a walking example of what kindness looks like and others hopefully will follow. I don’t know another world outside of kindness. It’s interesting because I come from a homeschool background and my community is people who love to serve and are in philanthropy. When I started going to school in person, I experienced a lot of unkind people and it was such a culture shock. I wish other young people could experience the level of kindness that I have. I think it would change the way young people conduct themselves. I will continue to be kind because If I can inspire one person to say “Wow, Khloe is so kind.” — then I’ve done my job. My character will always glow in kindness.
3. What does it mean to you to support other women and to be supported by other women?
I support other women by offering my support, showing up for them and sharing opportunities. I am only one person, so I can do a lot of things alone but together we can do so much more. I encourage other women to support each other and don’t gate keep. I truly believe that “what is for me will be for me” and no one can take that from me. So, working together we can all strive and reach higher platforms if we help each other out. I also support women by networking across the board. I look to see who I know that can benefit and I find those people in my circle first.
4. Who or what inspires you to be kinder to yourself and others? How and why?
I’m inspired to be kinder to myself because mental health matters. If I practice kindness to myself then I can use that same motivation to be kind to others. It’s important because we need to be the example of what kindness looks like. This world is filled with enough drama and mess. Our generation needs to a good example of what a kinder world can look like and will look like.
5. What is your superpower?
My superpower is believing in myself. Anything I want to do, I create it! Anything I want to create I figure out how to make it happen. Anything I want to put my mind to I can have, but that also comes with making sure I have all the right tools to make my dreams come true.
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