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• GIRLS GOTTA RUN FOUNDATION INCORPORATED

I became involved with GGRF in 2008 after spending a summer training with a group of DC based Ethiopian runners. After experiencing their kindness and generosity and hearing stories about Ethiopia, I knew that I wanted to give back. When I heard about Girls Gotta Run Foundation later that summer, I knew that it was the perfect non-profit to volunteer for. While I was inspired by the Ethiopian runners, I was also inspired by Pat Ortman, the foundation's president, and her willingness to help out a group of girls whom she had never met in person. I liked that the foundation was run exclusively by volunteers and that the cause was both well conceived and executed. During my past two years with GGRF, the non-profit has expanded and now aids three teams of girls and several athletes on a team called Running Across Borders. The foundation has also received media attention recently, which has helped to bring the plight of the girls in Ethiopia closer to home. Another recent development has been that three of the original four athletes have started their own foundations to give back to other girls in Ethiopia - and these girls are still in the GGRF program themselves! In essence, GGRF's women's empowerment efforts have empowered and inspired these girls to help empower other girls. In one word, this is inspiring!

For several years now, GGRF has helped us at the Tesfa Foundation (www.tesfa.org) to fund a program called Team Tesfa. Team Tesfa is a professional track and cross country team in Addis Ababa, within which the Tesfa Foundation operates programs to support teenage girl athletes who are at risk, providing them with safe housing, education, and vocational skills. GGRF has been a reliable and professional and thoughtful partner. They fund athletic gear for the girls and women on our team, as well as some transportation, coaching, and nutrition costs. GGRF has made a significant difference in these women's lives, and helped the Team Tesfa program to get off the ground and expand its services to more women in need.

As one who is passionate about running as well as programs that empower girls and women in developing countries, I fell in love with Girls Gotta Run from the moment I heard Pat Ortman speak about the organization. Pat is a retired women’s studies professor who now spends her days working tirelessly to give some of the most vulnerable, yet determined girls in Ethiopia the chance to better their own lives, and in turn, the lives of their entire families and communities. Pat is a dynamo leader who is constantly working to engage energetic and dedicated individuals and organizations in this worthy cause. By focusing on strategic growth and commitment to the core mission, she keeps volunteers motivated and purposeful in their efforts on behalf of the girls. One of my primary roles as a Board member has been to link Girls Gotta Run with the extensive running community in the Washington, DC region. I have had the pleasure of speaking to local running groups, especially teams of girls participating in the Girls on the Run program for middle school girls. I was deeply touched when 40 middle school-aged girls from the Washington International School who were participating in Girls on the Run ran a lap-a-thon to raise thousands of dollars - enough to pay for around 100 pairs of shoes - for girls in Ethiopia who are running, literally, out of poverty and into opportunity. Imagine a girl in Ethiopia who loves running and aspires to become a professional runner. If she is given a chance to pursue her dream, she will become healthy and self-confident. As a confident girl, she will be more likely to delay early marriage and childbirth. She will advocate for her education and well-being, and her parents and community will respect her. Whether she becomes a professional athlete or not, she will be able to get job, help support a family, become a leader in her community, and live longer. Girls Gotta Run has a mission of making this story a reality for over 40 girls in Ethiopia. With a broader base of support, the impact of our work can be greatly magnified and reach the thousands of other girl runners who currently lack any support. Because of its innovative model, successful outcomes, and strong leadership, Girls Gotta Run greatly deserves recognition and support. I am honored to be associated with Pat and the organization’s other volunteers and friends.

It seems a very simple idea to provide running shoes so that young girls by being on a running team can stay in school and obtain an education. The other choice for many of these young women, girls really, is to be in an arranged marriage, often to a much older man. Over many obstacles; obtaining shoes in Ethiopia, transactions of money, setting up realiable resourses in the country, legal issues of setting up a non profit etc. the dream became a reality.

I first heard about Girls Gotta Run from a teacher at the school where I work and was immediately intrigued because of former work I have done in Africa in addition to my love of running (I coach cross country and track). The mission of the organization is extremely laudable at a time when women's rights and the oppression of women worldwide is becoming a more-recognized and crucial issue in the media. Having visited the girls in Ethiopia, I can attest to how committed and motivated these young women are to work their way out of poverty through running and make a better life for themselves as well as improve the situation of their families and communities. The girls being supported by Girls Gotta Run are also encouraged to stay in school (rather than marry and give birth at an early age), knowing full well that a good education will be equally important in their ability to one day support their families. Running is helping to not only keep them in school but give them the confidence, security, resources and nourishment to achieve these goals. Pat has done a good job of incorporating both the arts and running communities to help raise awareness and support for this important cause. She is very open to suggestions, input and feedback and is inspired by the stories of these girls on a daily basis, working painstakingly to bring them the support and resources that they need. I have loved being involved with this organization and its new and innovative way of helping to empower women in desperate need.