Stories

Every woman and every girl inspires us. We are deeply grateful to those who have shared their stories about breakthroughs in their lives, the ways in which they have overcome fears, beliefs, or events that once kept them from connecting with their inner strength and recognizing their amazingness. Some of these stories are stories of pain and how a women or girl triumphed over it. As you read these stories, rather than focusing on the pain, choose to focus instead on the triumph and the ways that others have overcome what may once have seemed impossible to overcome. Let's celebrate their triumphs!

In love with this organization

I remember standing there, waiting for her to cross the finish line. I had no idea who the girl was but our eyes connected as she got closer to me. That look of despair, exhaustion and pride beamed across her face as she crossed the finish...

The Power in Women Supporting Girls

I have volunteered with Girls on the Run as a community coach in several different regions. Though the demographics have changed from council to council, I have been struck by how each girl desperately wants to be heard and to lead. Showing...

GOTR

If I can be grateful to the pandemic for anything, it would be that my daughter gets to participate in GOTR. I’ve wanted this for her since she was barely old enough to walk! But it wasn’t available at her school, and I knew that there were...

GIRLS RULE THE WORLD

Girls on the run is so much fun!! This is a 100% true statement. I became involved with the program when my daughter was in 3rd grade. I immediately got on board with assistant coaching. As a child my self-esteem was horrible. My own father...

Compassion and Kindness

My story is simple. Girls on the Run will forever be a part of me because I keep the core value “Lead with an open heart and assume positive intent,” so close to me. Literally. They hang in a few places in my office and home. When...

I felt stronger

I started running because I got diagnosed with some health issues. Running was one of my ways of coping. Every time I ran, I felt better. I felt stronger. It was like moving meditation. I wanted to share that with the girls at my school. ...

Valuable Lessons

I first heard about Girls on the Run at an event for individuals with disabilities. I attended the fair as a vendor and loved the inclusivity that GOTR stood for. In talking with the GOTR representative, her passion for helping girls realize...

Chicago Marathon

I have many GOTR stories but this one is my first! In 2016 I discovered and enthusiastically agreed to run as a SoleMate for Girls on the Run of NWI as a way to have guaranteed entry into the Chicago Marathon that same year. I had ran that race...

Empowering our future female leaders

I have served as a Sole Mate for my local chapter of Girls on the Run of Northwest Indiana. The reason this is important to me is that I know the value of empowering young girls for the future. After my first year as I solemate I became a mom...

I need to speak up

The first season I coached GOTR – I had only been home for a few years after a bad divorce. Curriculum 1 (this was fall 2012) was so amazing for me that year. I learned so many things from those lessons right along with the girls. My...