This month girls and young women from across the country are focused on the 108 women representing Team USA in the XXIV Winter Olympic Games in Beijing. These elite athletes started as girls with dreams, each with their personal journey to the Olympic Games. These Olympians are inspiring young girls across the U.S. to see themselves as athletes and pursue their interests in sports.
Sports participation, especially at a young age, improves girls’ confidence, academic achievement, and overall well-being. This can have a life-long impact. At the Women’s Foundation of Boston (WFBoston), our mission is to economically empower women and girls in the greater Boston area. To achieve this mission, we fund high-impact programs such as those using sports as a vehicle for empowerment.
Participation in Sports Declines as Girls Grow
Although being active has significant benefits, data shows that involvement in sports and sporting opportunities declines as girls grow. According to the Women’s Sports Foundation:
- One in three girls between the ages of six and 12 participate in sports regularly
- 40% of teen girls are not actively participating in sport
- Annually boys get 1.13 million more sporting opportunities than girls
WFBoston is proud to support the work of grantee partners affecting change for girls in sports. These programs garner the Foundation’s support because they can lead to a wealth of opportunities and economic independence as these girls move into adulthood.
WFBoston Supports Girls on the Run
Girl-focused organizations like Girls on the Run Greater Boston (GOTR) and Girls on the Run Worcester (GOTR) are catalysts for changing outcomes. These two organizations are local chapters of Girls on the Run International. GOTR of 
Greater Boston and Worcester offers a safe place where girls and teens gain confidence by discovering the power of physical activities like running. The program inspires girls to be joyful, healthy, and confident—activating their limitless potential while boldly pursuing their dreams.
Impact of Girls on the Run
A recent GOTR survey revealed the significant impact the program had on participants. 85% of the girls improved their confidence, competence, caring, character, or connection with others upon completing the program. Girls who were the least active at the start of the season increased their physical activity level by 40% from pre- to post-season and maintained this increased level after the season ended. Statistics show that a girl’s confidence and physical activity level decline at age nine or ten. GOTR reaches girls from grade three through grade eight to change this trajectory.
Life Lesson Learned
At the close of each season, girls share the lessons they learned. Many found that their involvement transcended traditional sports lessons. One participant shared, “I am a runner no matter how fast or slow I run,” Others shared, “I can keep going even when I want to quit” and “It’s ok to be different from other people.” Yet another participant added, “I can make a difference, and there are many problems in the world that kids can help solve.” These words demonstrate the value of their experience and how they could use this to set them on a path to success for the future.
Girls on the Run Six C’s
How does the GOTR program work? According to the Girls on the Run Worcester website, coaches use physical activity and dynamic discussions to build the girl’s social, emotional, and physical skills. The curriculum focuses on six C’s –confidence, character, care, connections, competence, and contribution.
- Confidence is taught through lessons designed to build self-worth. Activities are planned to help girls recognize their strengths and teach them to stand up for themselves and others.
- Character is built by making intentional decisions that create positive actions demonstrating respect and responsibility toward themselves and others.
- Care and compassion are encouraged through activities that develop the ability to sympathize and empathize with in and beyond their social groups.
- Connections are created by focusing on cooperative and team-building skills through the positive group setting of the program.
- Competence is developed by providing skill-building experiences that nurture the physical, social, and emotional aspects of all participants’ lives. At the end of each session, girls are encouraged to complete the GOTR 5k, offering them the opportunity to apply what they learned in the program.
- Contribution is emphasized by inspiring the girls to build a life of purpose and make meaningful contributions to their community and society. This lesson is realized through a hands-on community service project integrated into the curriculum.
“I see how this program works for the girls,” shared one Girls on the Run coach. “Many girls begin as shy kids. Then they find their place at the table. They learn to express themselves, feel confident in who they are, and realize what they contribute to the team. It is truly awesome to witness and take part in facilitating that.”
How You Can Help
We know that engaging girls in sports at a young age is crucial. How can you help? As mentioned previously, the Women’s Foundation of Boston funds programs like Girls on the Run Greater Boston, Girls on the Run Worcester, and other initiatives poised to create economic independence. A donation today will be the first step in making a difference. And, you can get involved in other ways.
- DONATE: The Women’s Foundation of Boston economically empowers nonprofits serving women and girls. Please donate today to help keep girls active and support other girl or women-focused initiatives!
- Volunteer: If you are a female active in sports, act as a role model by volunteering with Girls on the Run Greater Boston or Girls on the Run Worcester.
- Be a Role Model: Participate in a sports team, road race, or other athletic activity. Girls are inspired by the women in their lives.
- Share Stories: Discuss female athletes like Olympians, college athletes, athletic female friends and family, and professional women athletes.
Laurie H. Glimcher, MD, was named President and CEO of the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in 2016. She is also Director of the Dana-Farber/Harvard Cancer Center and the Richard and Susan Smith Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School. Previously, she was the Stephen and Suzanne Weiss Dean and Professor of Medicine of Weill Cornell Medicine and Provost for Medical Affairs of Cornell University. Dr. Glimcher is a distinguished immunologist, widely renowned for her work in one of the most promising areas of cancer research.
Linda Henry is the CEO of the Boston Globe Media Partners. She is a co-founder of HUBweek, a civic collaboration between the Boston Globe, Harvard University, Massachusetts General Hospital, and MIT that explores the future being built at the intersection of art, science and technology. Linda is also an early-stage impact investor, an Emmy-Award winning television producer with two shows currently airing, and a community activist. She serves as a director of the Red Sox Foundation, is a trustee of the Liverpool Football Club Foundation, chair of the Boston Globe Foundation, and chairman of the John W. Henry Family Foundation. In addition, she is a founder of the Boston Public Market, serves on the advisory board of MassChallenge, and is on the board of the Engine at MIT. She earned a BS from Babson College and her MS from MIT.
Bekah Salwasser joined the Red Sox Foundation as the Executive Director in January of 2018. She earned her B.A. in Psychology from Brown University and has extensive experience in philanthropy and both professional and semi-professional sports. After four years working as Community Relations Director for the Boston Celtics, Bekah went on to lead Scholar Athletes as its Executive Director, a program that supports public high school athletes with both their athletic and academic achievements. Earlier in her career, Bekah served as a professional soccer player for the Boston Breakers and as Executive Director of the Charlestown Lacrosse and Learning Center.
Kimberly Fay Boucher is a business executive who has driven high performance organizations in technology, consumer products and social enterprise/nonprofit industries over the past 25 years. She is currently the Technology Commercialization Business Leader for the CTO at Analog Devices, where she is responsible for driving new technologies from incubation stages to successful businesses. Kim is also a Senior Lecturer at the MIT Sloan School of Management, where she teaches Disciplined Entrepreneurship in the Martin Trust Center. She holds a BS in Management Industrial Engineering from Worcester Polytechnic Institute and an MBA from Harvard Business School. She is a NCAA Academic All-American Women’s Basketball player and has been inducted into the WPI Hall of Fame.
Ami Kuan Danoff (Co-Founder and CFO) is a private investor and the trustee of a foundation. She is a Harvard Quantum Founder and a member of the Harvard FAS Dean’s Council. Ami earned a bachelor’s degree from Harvard University in Visual and Environmental Studies and holds a dual master’s degree in Applied Economics and International Finance from the Sloan School of Management at MIT. She was a portfolio manager in global equities at Putnam Investments and co-manager of the Putnam International New Opportunities Fund, and also worked as an international equities analyst at Fidelity Investments.
Christina Heenan Suh holds an MBA from Harvard Business School, a bachelor’s degree from the University of Pennsylvania in English and Marketing and a master’s from Columbia University. A former management consultant, her work focused on strategy and implementation projects for Fortune 100 clients. She was also an account executive at Hill+Knowlton (WPP) marketing consumer packaged goods. As an Executive Board Member of the Brookline Education Foundation, which funds professional development in the Brookline Public Schools, Christina led their Grant and Oversight Committees. She currently sits on the board of the Brookline Library Foundation and teaches ESL at Rosie’s Place in Boston.
Christina Gordon (Co-Founder and CEO) holds a dual master’s degree in International Finance and Applied Economics from MIT’s Sloan School of Management. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Boston University and also studied for a joint master’s degree in Women’s Studies and Sociology at Brandeis with a focus on women in the workplace. Christina is a former assistant fund manager and technology industry equity analyst at Wellington Management. She also worked as a stock analyst at Fidelity Investments. She is a trustee of a private foundation, a member of Women Moving Millions and currently sits on the board of Rosie’s Place, a sanctuary for poor and homeless women in Boston.