Girls on The Run Lunafest - A Film Festival at the Beardsley Theater April 26th in Muskegon

It was about a year ago...I was asked to emcee an event at Heritage Landing called Girls on the Run.  Never heard of it...didn't know much more than I would get some notes...make a few comments, maybe draw a prize winner or two...ok, I can do that.  Been at it a while so a few words is a piece of cake.

After saying yes, I found out more..it's the way it usually goes....and I was just hooked by the reason for Girls On The Run.

GOTR Kent and Muskegon Counties

Girls On The Run isn't really about running, it's just folded in.  GOTR is about building girls up to become strong women.  Strong women...I know a thing or two about.  My mom....let's suffice it to say that nothing or no one was going to stand in the way of her kids turning out to be "productive members of society" and nothing or no one includes me and my sister.  Yes, there were a few years of doubt when it came to me...but in the end....the strong mom won.  Now, the Mrs.  Never have I met a woman who's sole purpose in life is to give people wings...and then make them fly. I never imagined just how powerful it is to hear from your spouse that "You can do anything...and you do it better than anyone else."  She never so much as blinks when I tell her what I'd like to do...like say start a blog....or an online "tv station."  She's never questioned a goal...never questioned what I needed to get the job done and never questioned my approach to doing things.  I have been surrounded by strong women for a very long time.  Now I have daughters and grand daughters...I want the same for them.

The challenges faced by young women, well...they are a lot.  I was shocked doing this interview that a girls self esteem peaks at 9. NINE and they are going to feel the best about themselves they ever will?  Totally unacceptable.  Everyone has moments of doubt, but today's girls are tomorrows women.  They will be the head of the family in some cases, they will be the heads of a company in others...either way....they need to see the strength and value they possess early, and it needs to be nurtured along the way.  That's where GOTR comes in.

To quote their website - "We inspire girls to be joyful healthy and confident using a fun experience based curriculum which creatively integrates running.  We envision a world where every girl knows and activates her limitless potential and is free to boldly pursue her dreams"  Powerful huh?

GOTR is hosting an event at the Beardsley Theater called the Lunafest.  A series of short films by, for and about women!  It's a fundraiser to help make sure their program can continue.  They even have an emcee for the event who just happened to stumble upon their organization a year or so ago... Susan Gifford and Lori Burgess  joined me on the stage at the Beardsley for the story.  Take a listen!!

I can't tell you how much I swelled with pride knowing that I had a small role in my first event with GOTR, once I knew the size and scope of what their work does.  I work to try and build up everyone around me...it's part of my nature.  I know too, that the thought of a girl feeling like she's somehow "in the shadows" is unacceptable.  These girls...they are at bare minimum 50% of our future.  We owe it to the next generations coming to make sure they are all empowered and important!  If you'd like to be part of the Lunafest....click on the picture below!

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