Changes to This Policy
We’ll update this policy occasionally. When we do:
Last Updated: January 2026
- We’ll post the new version here with a new “Last Updated” date
- If changes are significant, we’ll email you
- Continuing to use our services means you accept the updated policy
The Honest Truth About Your Privacy
Hey there! We know privacy policies can be about as fun as watching paint dry, but your privacy actually matters a lot to us. So we’re going to tell you exactly what we collect, why we collect it, and what we do with it. No legal jargon maze, just straight talk.
Who We Are
Smart Girl, Wise Woman is a youth empowerment organization founded by Tatyanna M. Wilkinson. We run programs for girls and women ages 14-24+, including our cross-cultural program in Zagreb, Croatia in partnership with Ocean Znanja.
Questions? Concerns? Just Want to Chat About Privacy?
Seriously, reach out. We’re here to help.
Contact Us:
Email: contact @ girl to woman dot net
Website: www.girltowoman.net
If you have questions about this policy or your data, reach out anytime. We’re real people and we actually read our emails.
The Quick Version (TL;DR)
- We only collect info we actually need
- We never sell your data (seriously, never)
- You can see, change, or delete your info anytime
- We protect your data like we’d protect our own
- If you’re under 18, your parents need to know what we’re collecting
If you want the full story, keep reading. We promise to keep it as painless as possible.
Comments
When you leave a comment on our site, we collect the info shown in the comment form – your name, email, and whatever you write. We also grab your IP address and browser info to help catch spam bots (because nobody likes spam).
If you use an email associated with Gravatar, your profile picture might show up next to your comment once it’s approved. That’s Gravatar’s thing, not ours – their privacy policy is here: https://automattic.com/privacy/.
What shows publicly: Your name (or the name you use), your comment, and your Gravatar picture if you have one.
What stays private: Your email address. We never display it publicly.
How long we keep it: Comments and their metadata are kept indefinitely so we can recognize and approve follow-up comments automatically instead of holding them in moderation forever.
Your rights: You can request that we remove or anonymize any comments you’ve left. Just email us.
Moderation: We review comments to keep things respectful and spam-free. First-time commenters are held for approval. Be kind, be real, and we’ll approve it.
Media
Suggested text: If you upload images to the website, you should avoid uploading images with embedded location data (EXIF GPS) included. Visitors to the website can download and extract any location data from images on the website.
Cookies
Our website uses cookies. Not the edible kind (though we wish).
What are cookies? Tiny files that websites store on your device to remember stuff.
What we use them for:
- Keeping you logged in
- Remembering your preferences
- Understanding how people use our site (via Google Analytics)
Your choices:
You can opt out of Google Analytics here
You can block cookies in your browser settings
Blocking cookies might make some features not work perfectly
Embedded content from other websites
Suggested text: Articles on this site may include embedded content (e.g. videos, images, articles, etc.). Embedded content from other websites behaves in the exact same way as if the visitor has visited the other website.
These websites may collect data about you, use cookies, embed additional third-party tracking, and monitor your interaction with that embedded content, including tracking your interaction with the embedded content if you have an account and are logged in to that website.
Who we share your data with
If you request a password reset, your IP address will be included in the reset email. Otherwise, it is never shared with any 3rd party.
How We Protect Your Information
We take security seriously. Here’s what we do:
- Use secure, encrypted connections (that’s the little lock icon in your browser)
- Limit who has access to your information
- Store data with reputable, secure services
- Train our team on privacy and data protection
- Never store sensitive info longer than necessary
That said, no system is 100% secure. We do our best, but we can’t guarantee absolute security (nobody honestly can).
How long we retain your data
Suggested text: If you leave a comment, the comment and its metadata are retained indefinitely. This is so we can recognise and approve any follow-up comments automatically instead of holding them in a moderation queue.
For users that register on our website (if any), we also store the personal information they provide in their user profile. All users can see, edit, or delete their personal information at any time (except they cannot change their username). Website administrators can also see and edit that information.
What rights you have over your data
Your Rights (Because You Have Them)
Under GDPR and Croatian law, you have the right to:
Access: See what information we have about you
Correction: Fix anything that’s wrong
Deletion: Ask us to delete your data (with some exceptions for legal requirements)
Portability: Get a copy of your data in a usable format
Objection: Say “no thanks” to certain uses of your data
Restriction: Ask us to limit how we use your information
How to exercise these rights: Just email us. We’ll respond within 30 days (usually much faster).
If you’re under 18: Your parent or guardian can exercise these rights on your behalf.
Where your data is sent
International Data Transfers
If you’re in the EU/EEA: Some of our service providers might be based outside the EU. When that happens, we make sure they provide adequate protection for your data (through things like Standard Contractual Clauses or Privacy Shield frameworks).
Third-Party Links
Our website might link to other sites (like Instagram, Facebook, resources). We’re not responsible for their privacy practices. Check their policies if you’re concerned.
Comments Policy
Let’s Keep It Real (And Respectful)
Last Updated: January 2026
We love hearing from you! Comments, questions, stories, wisdom, even respectful disagreements – they’re all welcome here. But like any good circle, we need a few ground rules to keep this space safe and supportive for everyone.
The Golden Rule
Treat others the way you’d want to be treated in a women’s circle.
If you wouldn’t say it in a room full of your sisters, mothers, and daughters, don’t say it here.
What We LOVE to See
✨ Thoughtful questions and discussions
✨ Personal experiences shared with vulnerability
✨ Support and encouragement for other women
✨ Constructive feedback and different perspectives
✨ Resources and recommendations that help others
✨ Celebration of wins, big and small
✨ Honest, respectful disagreement
Basically: Be authentic, be kind, be real.
What We WON’T Tolerate
❌ Hate speech or discrimination – Racism, sexism, homophobia, transphobia, ableism, or any other form of bigotry
❌ Harassment or bullying – Including body shaming, name-calling, or personal attacks
❌ Spam or self-promotion – We get it, you have a business. But this isn’t the place for unsolicited ads
❌ Trolling or inflammatory comments – Don’t be that person
❌ Explicit sexual content – Keep it appropriate
❌ Illegal activity – Obviously
❌ Threats or violence – Not even “joking”
❌ Doxxing or sharing others’ private info – Major violation
❌ Impersonation – Be yourself, not someone else
Special Considerations
For Comments About Young People:
Remember that girls and young women might be reading. Keep comments appropriate and supportive. We have zero tolerance for anything that sexualizes, demeans, or harms minors.
Cultural Sensitivity:
We’re a cross-cultural community. What’s normal in your culture might be different in someone else’s. Approach differences with curiosity, not judgment.
Mental Health & Sensitive Topics:
If you’re sharing about difficult experiences (trauma, eating disorders, self-harm, etc.), please be mindful of others who might be triggered. Consider adding a brief content note.
Medical/Legal Advice:
We’re not doctors or lawyers. Share your experiences, but please don’t give medical diagnoses or legal counsel in comments.
How Moderation Works
We review comments to:
- Keep the space safe
- Remove policy violations
- Prevent spam
- Protect privacy
What this means:
- Your first comment might be held for approval (to prevent spam bots)
- Comments with multiple links might be flagged automatically
- We reserve the right to edit or remove comments that violate this policy
- Repeat violators will be banned (we’ll give you a warning first, usually)
Response time:
We’re a small team. We’ll review flagged comments as quickly as possible, usually within 24-48 hours.
Your Responsibility
You own your words. When you post a comment:
- You’re responsible for what you say
- You grant us permission to display your comment on our site
- You confirm you’re not violating anyone else’s rights (copyright, privacy, etc.)
- You understand we might edit or remove it if it violates this policy
Pro tip: Read your comment before hitting submit. If you’re angry, maybe wait an hour and come back to it. Future you will thank present you.
Privacy & Your Comment Data
When you leave a comment, we collect:
- Your name (or the name you choose to use)
- Your email address (never displayed publicly)
- Your comment content
- Your IP address and browser info (for spam prevention)
How we use this:
- To display your comment
- To send you replies if you’ve subscribed to comment notifications
- To prevent spam and abuse
- To comply with legal requirements if necessary
Your rights:
- You can request deletion of your comments
- You can edit your comments (look for the “edit” button)
- You can ask us to update your displayed name
- You can unsubscribe from comment notifications anytime
For more details, see our full Privacy Policy.
How to Report a Problem
See a comment that violates this policy?
Option 1: Click “Report” beneath the comment (if available)
Option 2: Email us at contact @ girltowoman dot net with a link to the comment
We take reports seriously and will review them promptly.
Comments on Sensitive Posts
Some blog posts deal with heavy topics (trauma, discrimination, loss, etc.). On these posts:
- Be extra compassionate
- Avoid comparing pain (“I had it worse”)
- Don’t minimize others’ experiences
- Offer support without unsolicited advice
- Remember that healing isn’t linear
Constructive Disagreement
We welcome different perspectives! Here’s how to disagree respectfully:
DO:
- Focus on ideas, not people
- Ask questions to understand better
- Share your perspective using “I” statements
- Acknowledge valid points in others’ arguments
- Assume good intentions
DON’T:
- Attack the person instead of addressing their point
- Use sarcasm or mockery
- Make it personal
- Insist you’re objectively right
- Dismiss lived experiences
Special Note: Anonymous Commenting
We don’t allow fully anonymous comments, but you can use a pseudonym or first name. We need a valid email address for spam prevention, but it’s never displayed publicly.
If you’re under 18: Please use a pseudonym or just your first name. Don’t include identifying information in your comments.
What Happens if You Violate This Policy
First time: Usually a warning and comment removal/edit
Repeat offense: Temporary ban
Serious violations: Permanent ban without warning
Illegal activity: We’ll involve authorities if necessary
We’re reasonable humans. Mistakes happen. But pattern behavior gets consequences.
Language
Our primary languages are English and Croatian. Comments in other languages are welcome, but we might not be able to moderate them effectively (translation tools help, but aren’t perfect).
Changes to This Policy
We might update these guidelines occasionally. When we do:
- We’ll post the new version here with an updated date
- Major changes will be announced in a blog post
- Continuing to comment means you accept the updated policy
The Spirit of This Space
Think of our comments section like a women’s circle:
- What’s shared deserves respect
- Everyone’s voice matters
- We learn from each other
- We support without judgment
- We challenge ideas without attacking people
- We celebrate growth and transformation
- We leave our egos at the door
Not sure if your comment fits? Ask yourself:
- Would I say this in a circle with these women in person?
- Am I being my best self right now?
- Does this add value or just noise?
- Would I want someone to say this to my daughter/sister/friend?
Questions About This Policy?
Email us!
We promise to respond like humans, not robots.
Thank You
Thanks for being part of our community and helping us keep this space beautiful, brave, and supportive. Your voice matters here.
Now go forth and comment thoughtfully! 💬🦋
Smart Girl, Wise Woman
From Chrysalis to Butterfly: Girl to Woman