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!