I have some great news I’ve been waiting to share with you, and you may have already seen it a couple times on my social media. This October, I’ll be participating in the event If Girls Ran the World. I’m honored to be given the opportunity to join this initiative. Let me tell you about it and perhaps answer some of the questions you may be asking:
If Girls Ran the World Virtual Run
What is If Girls Ran the World?
If Girls Ran the World is a global movement to “collectively and virtually run around the world to benefit charities that empower girls globally.”
How does it work?
Starting October 1, I’ll be logging some serious mileage. Since I’ll be at the height of my marathon training, these will be some of my peak weeks and I’ll be logging them all virtually for If Girls Ran the World.
In addition to logging miles, I’ll be fundraising for Girls Inc. Girls Inc. is a fantastic organization to support girls to become strong, smart, and bold young women. Girls Inc. aims to create a sisterhood of support among girls and their families, and allows “girls to grow up healthy, educated, and independent.”
Why is the If Girls Ran the World movement important to you?
This movement is important to me because I was fortunate enough to grow up to become a strong, educated, independent woman. I had a tough personality as a kid, and I always wanted to know why things were done a certain way, and if I didn’t believe in the answer given to me, I challenged the system. I never took direction without questioning first. I was assertive and no-nonsense. It got me in trouble, sure. But I was fortunate enough to grow up in a wonderful school and community where it was okay to challenge authority. I can’t imagine growing up without the opportunities afforded to me.
Now I’m a grown woman, and I’m still assertive and I still challenge rules, policies, and procedures when they don’t make sense. And yes, it still gets me in trouble.
And now I’m also a mom.
I’m raising two young children and I’m teaching them to be assertive and to question authority, too. I know my son will be fine because he’s a boy. But when I look at my daughter, I want her to have the same — if not more — opportunities afforded to me. I want her to be strong, independent, and assertive. I don’t want her to have to rely on anyone else around her to make her feel good, provide financial support, or make her feel like she deserves something. Every girl, every young lady, and every woman deserves more. Every child deserves equal opportunity, regardless of the gender they were born into.
When I heard of If Girls Ran the World, I knew I had to participate. Because girls deserve the best. They deserve to have choices and independence. Girls — and women — deserve to run, play, and have fun.
We deserve more.
How can I get involved?
There are a lot of ways to get involved. You can choose to donate to my fundraising page, you can pledge to run virtually with me through the month of October by signing up for If Girls Ran the World, or you can run alongside me to show your support. (You can also enter to win a complimentary If Girls Ran the World race registration — see the end of this post!)
In honor of If Girls Ran the World — and because it’s Meatless Monday, of course! — I’m resharing one of my all-time favorite recipes. It’s sweet and tangy, with just enough flavor to give you the kickstart you need to start kicking asphalt and taking names. Enjoy!
Strawberry Raspberry Dessert Smoothie
Ingredients
- 20 whole frozen strawberries
- 12 oz Australian style raspberry yogurt
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 tsp Nektar Naturals honey crystals
- 4 Tbsp water
Directions
Combine all ingredients in a blender. Pulse to combine.
I hope you choose to join me in the If Girls Ran the World movement. It’s a phenomenal message — one we assuredly need to spread and repeat. If you’re interested in joining, please click here to donate and learn more. And please enter to win a chance to run virtually with me! Enter to win at the bottom of this post.
And let’s face it, it’s not a matter of “if” — it’s a matter of “when.”
When girls run the world…
xo
Giveaway details: Giveaway starts August 22, 2016 at 12:00 am EST and ends August 29, 2015 at 12:00 am EST. One prize per person.
Loading InLinkz ...Linking up with Confessions of a Mother Runner and A Whisk and Two Wands for Meatless Monday, and Marathons and Motivation for Fitness & Food. Also with My No-Guilt Life, Marcia’s Healthy Slice, and MCM Mama Runs for Tuesdays on the Run, and Nicole, Annmarie, Jen, and Michelle for Wild Workout Wednesday.
