Empowering Girls Through GOTR
I recently came across the quote: “Hope is a verb with the sleeves rolled up”, by David W. Orr, author and Professor Emeritus of Environmental Studies and Politics. I’ve been contemplating the construct of hope quite a bit lately. Its relevance seems to intersect with many of the causes about which I care deeply.
One of these causes is empowering girls and young women.
My personal story of hope and empowerment is from when I was 9 years old in 1972. While we were playing 4-square in our tiny, designated girls’ playground area at our Catholic school, some high school girls burst into our game. With such euphoria, they shared the news that Title IX had just passed. Somehow, at age 9, I was already aware that this was a Big Deal. I knew it meant good things for me, as a girl. The next school year, I was able to participate in school team sports. My 4th, 5th, and 6th grade cohort were the first to have girls’ team sports EVERY season — kickball, basketball, floor hockey, and softball (and I played them all!)
Access to positive female role models as coaches and being encouraged to participate and play (despite my tiny stature), was foundational to my growth and development. At an age when it was easy to succumb to the influence of less-than-ideal social norms (like: how to make my plaid uniform and knee socks look more flattering —impossible!) or hyper-conscious anxiety over my physical appearance, I was instead more deeply intrigued by how I could become more agile, faster, throw a ball farther, and shoot on target. Learning to focus on what I could do physically and understanding the mental component of performance stayed with me as guideposts through my high school years, into college, and ultimately influenced my professional choices.
Today, I am a proud board member of Girls on the Run of North Central West Virginia, an organization that works daily to realize its vision: A world in which all girls can pursue their dreams. Though the world of girls and sport has come a long way in 50 years, there’s still a gap between girls’ innate capacity and their understanding of it. Though I am normally squeamish about asking for donations, this cause is so dear to me — especially for girls in West Virginia. So, here I am.
Like the sports of my early years, Girls on the Run is for EVERY girl. No exceptions. The program uses a fun, research-based curriculum that creatively combines movement with confidence-building lessons and activities. When asked what she learned at Girls on the Run, one of our participants recently shared, “…I am BeYOUtiful and can accomplish what I set out to do”.
The staff, coaches, and volunteers of Girls on the Run in North Central West Virginia are rolling up our sleeves to give girls hope and confidence. We cannot accomplish this without significant community support. We need help to make sure we can keep our promise that this afterschool program is truly available to every girl, regardless of her family’s ability to contribute.
My personal goal is to raise $2,000 to help with our local council’s end-of-year need. If you are able, simply click HERE to donate to our campaign.
With gratitude,
Colleen