Getting out of the Girl Box
Molly Barker was stuck in “the girl box.”
A lifelong runner since the age of 15, she began to question her self-worth and self-image, worrying that she was transforming not into who she truly was, but what others around her thought she should be. After years of fruitlessly trying to figure out who she wanted to be, Molly went on a sunset run during 1993 and was struck with the inspiration for what would eventually blossom into Girls on the Run.
In 1996, Molly piloted the earliest version of GOTR with 13 girls in Charlotte, NC. The program grew quickly. Today, GOTR is a 501c3 organization with chapters in 220 cities across North America, and has impacted hundreds of thousands of young girls’ lives. It teaches girls that they can “take charge of their lives and define the future on their own terms.”
The website quotes one young runner: “I learned that I am the boss of my own brain.”
GOTR, which serves girls in 3rd - 8th grade, “operates as a transformational, physical activity-based positive youth program that teaches life skills through interactive lessons and running,” according to the website.
The curriculum is divided in three parts: Helping girls get a better understanding of who they are and what’s important to them, the role of teams and healthy relationships, and how girls can positively connect with and shape the world around them.
Photo courtesy of Girls on the Run
Over the course of 10-12 weeks, girls meet with their coaches twice a week to receive and discuss the day’s lesson — and to go for a run. Running is incorporated into the curriculum as a framework for goal setting, as well as a way to build a lifelong love of physical activity: to prove to girls that their bodies are capable of achieving great things. Each season culminates in a 5K that celebrates both the physical and personal achievements each girl has made over the course of the season.
In DC, GOTR is committed to serving girls across all eight wards of The District — each participates in the same program, strengthening community bonds and creating connections across socio-economic lines. GOTR-DC offers a unifying program that focuses on both fitness and is mentor-based—something that is critical in a city where 30 percent of children are considered poor.
Want to get involved? Wonder what it’s like to be a volunteer? Check out GOTR’s website or some of our Q&A for more details!
About the Author: While a student at The College of William and Mary, Marisa Weidner volunteered at a school in Belize. A DC newcomer, she blogs about her explorations of the city at The Curated City.
Coach Says....
Emily is a coach for Girls on the Run-DC.
Q: How did you come to volunteer with Girls on the Run?
A: My two nieces participated in Maryland, and one invited me to become a buddy runner. I saw what a positive impact the program had on the girls, and when I was looking for opportunities to get involved in the community in DC, I decided to become a GOTR coach. This is currently my third season!
Q: What are your day-to-day tasks as a GOTR coach?
A: I look at the curriculum theme for the day’s lesson, figure out how I’m going to incorporate it into practice, and encourage the girls to participate in the activity. One of my favorite lessons was the one on gossiping — we gave one girl a tube of toothpaste and (had her) squeeze some of it out. She then passed the tube to the next girl, who was told to try and put the toothpaste back in. It was a great analogy to being unable to take back gossip or “put it away," and it’s wonderful to see the girls experience an “A-ha!” moment with the lesson.
Q: What have you learned from volunteering with Girls on the Run?
I’ve learned that the time commitment for giving back is challenging, but so worth it. I make a point of making the time for GOTR because I want to help the girls—time is something I have to give, so that’s why I do it. I encourage everyone who has extra time to give back to GOTR!
About the Author: While a student at The College of William and Mary, Marisa Weidner volunteered at a school in Belize. A DC newcomer, she blogs about her explorations of the city at The Curated City.
Mom's Take
Caitlin and Amanda are mothers of Girls on the Run participants.
How did you connect with Girls on the Run?
Caitlin: I’m a lifelong runner, so I’d known of GOTR for many years before becoming a parent. I always thought the program sounded great for the emotional and social support it provides to the girls. I now have two daughters, both of whom were age eligible and joined this year.
Amanda: I was a volunteer for many years before my daughter was eligible to participate. I met a great group of women and really loved that the program was so holistic: it incorporates elements of mind, body, and friendship. Now my daughter, Claire is a runner in the program.
Why were you interested in your daughters becoming involved with GOTR-DC?
Caitlin: I think its great that it starts at an early age. I don’t need to worry about body image problems with my girls because GOTR is helping them proactively be proud of themselves and provides such a healthy environment. It’s also great to give the kids information and perspective that comes from an adult who is not their parent.
Amanda: The program is designed so that it targets issues girls will likely face at that stage in their development: friendships, body image, self-confidence, bullying. I was a girl once and I know those things are important—its key for girls to connect with other girls, and feel like they are part of a group. I can tell that the lessons are resonating with Claire, and that she’s being given tools to start handling some of the changes in her life.
How has the organization helped your girls?
Caitlin: I see the girls proud of themselves and their ability to run more laps—it makes them feel good! I see them growing up in a positive way.
Amanda: Claire’s favorite lesson was the one about rumors: she learned that if someone tells you a rumor you can stop it or spread it. We talked about it after practice and she told me now that if she hears a rumor, she would just forget about it and not spread it. She’s applying the lessons to her own life.
What intangibles have you taken away?
Caitlin: It’s a reminder to take a step back as a parent, and to help instill things in girls today that will help them navigate adolescence and come out intact.
Amanda: The volunteer network is great. People come back to help time and time again, in various ways. This is the first organization I’ve been involved with in a long-term capacity, and I see no end date. GOTR has a strong curriculum of community service and giving back, and it instills the importance of giving back and seeing how to make the community better. We see girls coming back to become junior coaches after they age out—they clearly see the value and want to participate and be able to pass it on. It’s teaching girls that they are never too young to volunteer or give back.
Photo courtesy of Girls on the Run
About the Author: While a student at The College of William and Mary, Marisa Weidner volunteered at a school in Belize. A DC newcomer, she blogs about her explorations of the city at The Curated City.