Self-confidence is essential for a happy life (just like spending time with your girlfriends!). But having confidence can be a challenge for many women and girls. If you have it, you’re lucky—and you probably had a great role model, mentor, or girlfriend who empowered you to develop that confidence in yourself. Here’s your chance to recognize that special person and “pay it forward”: The Tupperware Chain of Confidence Challenge. We’re proud to bring you the details about this great contest. If you win, the prizes are really fabulous – $5,000 to the charity of your friend’s choice and $1,000 in Tupperware for each of you! And here’s a bonus! GirlfriendCelebrations.com readers get the chance to win a special prize of $150 in Tupperware products, just by entering the Tupperware Chain of Confidence Challenge. Win, win, win! So, read on for how to enter and to hear more about how Chain of Confidence helps women. READ ALL THE WAY TO THE END FOR SPECIAL GIRLFRIENDCELEBRATIONS BONUS PRIZE:

About the contest

“Tupperware wants to hear your unique story about a special person who has made a significant difference in your life; perhaps a mentor, a teacher, your sister or your best friend. What did you learn from them and how were you encouraged and inspired to become an even stronger person?”

The Tupperware Chain of Confidence Challenge is a ‘pay-it-forward’ contest which invites everyone to share their personal stories of inspiration on ChainofConfidence.com by nominating a friend, relative, or member of the Tupperware community, who has empowered them through an act of kindness. This challenge is committed to reinforcing strong bonds between all women, young and old, by giving thanks and attention to those special women in our support networks.  At challenge end, three nominees will receive $5,000 to donate to the charity of their choice. In addition, winning nominees and their nominators will receive a $1,000 Tupperware gift certificate.

Good work

The Chain of Confidence challenge is part of a larger global campaign celebrating the powerful bonds of female friendships and the rewards that come with self-confidence. Through Chain of Confidence and partnerships with like-minded organizations around the world, Tupperware continues to build on its 60-year commitment to enlighten, educate and empower women.

As part of Chain of Confidence, Tupperware re-established the SMART Girls program at the Boys & Girls Clubs of America, with a donation of over $1.5 million dollars. The Boys and Girls Clubs of America′s SMART Girls program has programming directed for girls ages 8-12 and 13-17, critical age periods for girls when they experience profound physical and emotional changes, often accompanied by a drop in self-esteem and self-confidence. The program has reached thousands of young girls helping to stem the tide of high school dropouts, teen pregnancy, and the rising rates of alcohol, cigarette, and drug abuse.

How to enter

To enter the Chain of Confidence Challenge, just go to the Chain of Confidence website and register to win. You will be prompted to write a short essay on the person you’re nominating. This is a great opportunity to give back to the special women in your life! But wait, there’s more:

And now for the bonus giveaway

Exclusive to GirlfriendCelebrations readers! We’re offering a giveaway of Tupperware products valued at $150. These goodies include the Impressions Tumblers, Ideal Bowl Set, Rectangular Modular Mates and TupperLiving microfiber dishcloth set and the kitchen towel set. You can check out the products at Tupperware.com. But please note, they may not be exactly as pictured.

To be eligible for the Girlfriend Celebrations bonus, here’s what you have to do:

1. Include the phrase “Girlfriends Make Life Better!” at the beginning or end of your essay on ChainofConfidence.com. (You don’t have to be clever or work it into your story…just include the words so we know you’re part of our contest.)

2. Leave a comment here letting us know you entered.

3. Enter by 11:59 PM on Friday, July 24, 2009. We will pick a winner at random from qualifying entries.

Good luck, ladies! Any questions, let us know. We’re so excited to be involved with this fabulous promotion and can’t wait to read your inspiring stories. Celebrating girlfriends is definitely a link in the Chain of Confidence!