Testimonials

Coach/Teacher:

From a letter written to Molly Barker, founder of Girls on the Run, by a coach upon reading one of Molly's inspirational writtings:

Hi Molly,

Mary Fauth from Girls on the Run in the Wood River Valley in Idaho, just sent out your inspirational note and WOW it hit me right in the heart. Although I am a woman, now unbelievably to me---approaching 60 (!) I am a busy, active teacher who, after attending a talk by Kristin Armstrong in our area felt the "call" to serve the very needy (but so wonderful) students at our school. Recently I have had to face some unexpected losses in my life and being able to fill my cup by GIVING in this very small way these past two weeks in GOTR has brought me incredible JOY, almost beyond words.

All my life I have struggled with my weight and still do, so this is a huge stretch for me to put on the clothes, the shoes and get out there with the girls. Just writing you and admitting it, putting it "out there" touches such a nerve (probably part of never quite feeling like I measured up---always needing to lose weight---still---again!!!) When I called my daughter (who is an athlete, personal trainer and marathoner), and told her I had committed to help with GOTR she laughed at me and said, "You realize mom, that you are going to have to run a 5k, don't you?" with a little bit of sarcasm....it really hurt. Overall of course she is extremely supportive and wants me to succeed of course, but the Girl Box closes in around so tightly that somehow it was suffocating and I wondered if I had done the right thing. The power of the Girl Box to consume us at any age must be squelched!

Thank you for giving me a little hope and for the wonderful support of Mary, the other much younger coaches and the darling little girls who screamed with joy "Mrs. Oliver, you're going to be a coach!!!" They were excited. And one girl, who HATES to run, but loves the girls that run, said..."I'll walk with you if you can't run any more Mrs. Oliver, it's OK if you can't do it." It felt good to be accpted and loved----talk about encouragement!

Thank you all,
Kathy Oliver

Response from Molly:

Kathy:

What a beautiful email for me to receive. I thank you for taking the time to write it!

I also feel SO strongly that women like you...who dig deeply into their fears and their challenges are THE greatest teachers for the girls in our program. Just by being...by being YOU...you are teaching those girls SO much.

Thank you for volunteering with Girls on the Run. I am always blown away by the passion AND compassion of the women involved. You, my friend, are certainly one of those who is helping all of us...change the world, one girl at a time.

Much love sister.

Molly B.

Parents:

My daughter and I love the fun run at the end!  Thanks!

I appreciate the wonderful facilitators and great group of girls having fun and talking about important things like respect.

Girls on the Run spawned lots of conversations.

It’s a wonderful, important program that empowers young girls and teaches them their potential is limitless.

Thank you for the wonderful experience, great exercise and self-esteem booster for my daughter.

I appreciate the curriculum.  It’s very relevant to issues girls are going through and give them tools to work with.

I appreciate the effort and dedication of the coaches, the fun way issues were addressed, and the creativity put into getting the girls running.

My daughter had so much fun.  She never seemed to realize how hard she was working and she always came home excited and with a smile on her face.

My daughter learned and implemented some very important life lessons about relationships and treating everyone with respect.

Girls on the Run helps everyone share and care about each other.  It supports good attitudes about being a girl/woman.