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ENGLEWOOD CLIFFS, N.J., Oct. 5, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- "Let's Talk" are two simple words at the heart of the Dove brand's largest effort to date to support girls' self-esteem. The third annual Dove Self-Esteem Weekend, a nationwide effort to help girls develop a positive relationship with beauty, is taking place from October 5(th)- 7(th). Everyone has the opportunity to make a difference in a girl's self-esteem. Dove is bringing together retailers, non-profit organizations, the medical community and women everywhere with a bi-lingual program in English and Spanish to spark conversation on a vital topic. Teenage actress and singer KeKe Palmer, a voice of inspiration for girls, will kick off the weekend with a march to Times Square in New York to call for a national discussion on girls' self-esteem. Dove is committed to inspiring all women and girls to reach their full potential, and the weekend is one of the many ways in which the brand brings to life its vision to create a world where beauty is a source of confidence, not anxiety.

KeKe Palmer will join 250 members of Girls Scouts of the U.S.A., Girls Inc., Boys & Girls Clubs of America and The Young Women's Leadership Schools (TYWLS) as they march alongside their moms and mentors. The girls will carry signs saying "Let's Talk," in an effort to ask women everywhere to start a conversation on beauty anxiety that girls experience and how it impacts their self-esteem.

"Like most girls there have been times when I have felt insecure about my looks," says KeKe Palmer. "I am lucky enough to have a mom that I can turn to in these moments. She helps me feel more confident, and I know girls everywhere need and value that kind of encouragement. The Dove Self-Esteem Weekend is all about starting a conversation and helping girls develop a more positive relationship with beauty."

Prior to the march, the girls at the New York event will participate in a self-esteem workshop led by Dove Global Self-Esteem Ambassador Jess Weiner. The session will offer girls insights and candid conversation with a diverse group of women who will talk about the different ways beauty anxiety can manifest itself in girls' lives. The discussion will shed light on different perspectives about beauty and self-esteem, and will give girls an opportunity to ask questions and talk to each other. Weiner will lead a panel discussion with KeKe Palmer, Toni Blackman, Dove Real Woman role model, Mona Gohara, M.D., from the Women's Dermatologic Society, and Alexis Tirado, managing editor of MTV Act, the network's pro-social blog.

Anxiety about looks begins at an early age and holds girls back(1 )from reaching their full potential. When girls feel bad about their looks, sixty percent of girls globally disconnect from life and avoid normal daily activities such as raising their hand in school or even going to the doctor.(2 ) Alarming statistics like these show why events such as the Dove Self-Esteem weekend are critical to helping girls reach their full potential.

Amazing Things can Happen When We Come Together - in English AND in Spanish

Dove Self-Esteem Weekend events will take place in cities across the nation, including New York, Miami, and Los Angeles. Boys & Girls Club of Venice, Calif., will host an event for 1,000 people on Saturday, October 6(th). Teen singer Jessica Jarrell, who joined the brand earlier this year as an ambassador for the "Women Who Should be Famous" program, will perform. In Miami, parenting expert, People en Espanol columnist Jeannette Torres-Alvarez will host a parenting workshop about helping girls develop a positive relationship with beauty. Look online at www.Dove.com/self-esteem for further details about an event near you.