Survivors’ Anthem Series # 32: “Wannabe” - Spice Girls

Girl Power, Friendship, and the Strength to Survive

Some survivor anthems are about finding your voice.

Some are about reclaiming your power.

And some are about the people who helped you survive when you didn’t have that power yet.

This is Survivors’ Anthem # 32:

“Wannabe” - Spice Girls

And for me, this anthem takes me back to childhood, and to a friendship that helped carry me through it.

A Friendship That Meant Everything

In my book Because of Jane, you are introduced to Breanna, my childhood best friend.

She wasn’t just a friend.

She was a light in a time that often felt very dark.

When we were kids, we did what so many girls did in the 90s, we listened to the Spice Girls on repeat. We sang, we danced, and in so many pictures, you’ll find us throwing up our “Girl Power” peace signs without a care in the world.

Those moments might have seemed small to anyone else.

But to me, they were everything.

Girl Power Meant More Than We Knew

“Wannabe” is fun. It’s loud. It’s bold.

But underneath all of that, it carries a powerful message:

Friendship matters.

Support matters.

Loyalty matters.

For me, “Girl Power” wasn’t just a catchy phrase.

It was survival.

Because when you are a child going through abuse, the people who show you love, whether they fully understand what you’re going through or not, become anchors.

Breanna was one of mine.

The Strength We Borrow From Others

As children, we don’t always have the tools or the power to protect ourselves.

But sometimes, we have people who give us something just as important:

Strength.

Because of my friendships, because of moments of laughter, music, and feeling normal, I found the resilience and courage to endure what I was going through.

Those moments reminded me that there was more to the world than what I was experiencing with my step dad.

That I was more than what was happening to me.

The Power of Being Seen

One of the hardest parts of childhood abuse is feeling alone.

Like no one sees you.

Like no one understands.

Like what you’re going through exists in a separate world.

But friendships break through that isolation.

Even if they don’t know the full story, they give you something powerful:

Connection.

Joy.

A sense of belonging.

And sometimes, that’s enough to help you keep going.

A Thank You

To the Spice Girls, thank you for creating music that celebrated friendship, confidence, and strength in such a bold and joyful way.

And to Breanna, thank you for being part of my story. Thank you for the laughter, the music, the memories, and the moments of light when I needed them most.

You may not have known it at the time…but you helped me survive.

What This Anthem Means to Me

For me, this anthem represents something deeply important:

The people who help carry us through what we cannot carry alone.

It represents the friendships that give us strength.

The laughter that breaks through pain.

The moments that remind us we are still kids, even when life tries to take that away from us.

Because sometimes survival doesn’t come from strength within.

Sometimes it comes from the people who stand beside you.

Child Abuse Prevention Month

As we recognize Child Abuse Prevention Month, it’s important to remember:

Children don’t always have the ability to speak up.

They don’t always understand what’s happening to them.

And they don’t always have the power to change their situation.

But they do need safe people.

People who listen.

People who notice.

People who care.

Sometimes being that safe person can change the course of a child’s life.

What’s Next in the Survivors’ Anthem Series

Every song in this series represents a different stage of healing.

Some songs helped me survive.

Some helped me process anger and grief.

Some helped me reclaim my voice.

This anthem represents something just as powerful:

The people who helped me survive.

As the series continues, I’ll keep sharing the songs that shaped my journey through survival, healing, and strength.

Because sometimes the anthem that stays with us… is the one that reminds us we were never truly alone.

Stay Connected

The Survivors’ Anthem Series is more than just music.

It’s a space for stories.

For healing.

For connection.

If this anthem spoke to you, or if there’s a song that helped you through a difficult time, I would love to hear it.

💛 What song helped you survive?

💛 What song helped you heal?

Share it in the comments, send me a message, or connect with me on social media.

Because sometimes the song that helped you…

might be the one someone else needs to hear next.

Keep Exploring

✨ Learn more about the Survivors’ Anthem Series

Explore the full collection of songs that have shaped survival, healing, and strength.

🎧 Listen to the Playlist

Find all of the anthems in one place on Spotify and YouTube and experience the music that tells these stories.

📖 Read Because of Jane

Learn more about my story and the experiences that inspired this series.

💜 Discover The Jane Project

A space for survivors to share what helped them through—whether it’s a song, a memory, or something that gave them strength.