Running Matters: International Day of the Girl
Happy International Day of the Girl from the Girls Gotta Run Foundation! We are excited to invite you to celebrate the strength of Ethiopian girls all month long with us. Here are some great ways to support courageous girl runners in Ethiopia today:
**WHAT IT MEANS TO BE A GIRL IN ETHIOPIA – BY RAHIMA OF THE BEKOJI PROJECT**
“**What I want the world to know about girls is that we are working very hard and can be successful.** The hardest thing about being a girl in Ethiopia is that girls cannot walk alone in the deepest parts of the forest because of the dangers or violence, kidnapping and harassment from men. My favorite thing about being a girl is that girls can get opportunities in running and education. Ethiopian laws have given girls first priority in education and running.”
**Thanks to your support, GGRF continues to empower girls like Rahima in avoiding early marriage, staying in school and having a safe place to build friendships and confidence through running.** Read more about Rahima and her teammates in Bekoji, [HERE](http://www.girlsgottarun.org/bekoji-running-project/).
**MAKE THE NEXT 24 HOURS COUNT FOR GIRLS**
GGRF Board Member and sponsored runner, Erin Henderson, has organized a [GGRF fundraising campaign] (http://seemomrunfar.blogspot.com/2013/07/girls-gotta-runchicago-marathon.html) leading up to the Chicago Marathon and needs your support. **In the next 24 hours, we are working to raise awareness for GGRF and reach Erin’s goal of [fundraising 5,000.](http://www.crowdrise.com/ggrfchicago/fundraiser/girlsgottarunfoundat)**
**Please help us reach this goal by
[donating] (http://www.crowdrise.com/ggrfchicago/fundraiser/girlsgottarunfoundat) and spreading the word about the work of GGRF today!** Your generosity and time will make a positive impact in the life of an Ethiopian girl runner and enter you to win a prize.
**SUPPORT STRONG GIRLS ALL MONTH LONG**
We are celebrating the International Day of the Girl all month by collaborating with [Activyst](http://www.activyst.com/) to bring you the [STRONG GIRLS STRONG WORLD t-shirt](http://www.activyst.com/collections/frontpage/products/activyst-strong-girls-tee) that benefits GGRF. **Activyst is kindly donating 10% of their profits from these t-shirts to our programs in Ethiopia.** The Bekoji Project girls (pictured right) love the shirts, hope you will too! Get one of your own
[HERE](http://www.activyst.com/collections/frontpage/products/activyst-strong-girls-tee).
**Inspired by the International Day of the Girl and want to get more involved in empowering girls in Ethiopia?** Please contact us about opportunities to [dedicate your next race to GGRF](http://www.girlsgottarun.org/races/running-for-ggrf-2012/), [host a fundraiser,](http://www.girlsgottarun.org/fundraise/) [become a monthly donor](http://www.girlsgottarun.org/donatetoday/), [raise awareness](http://www.girlsgottarun.org/share-your-voice/) or volunteer with GGRF in a different capacity by e-mailing us at kayla@girlsgottarun.org.
To a better world, one strong girl at a time!
The Girls Gotta Run Foundation Athletes, Board and Advisory Board – www.girlsgottarun.org
PS Follow us on [Facebook] (https://www.facebook.com/pages/Girls-Gotta-Run-Foundation-Inc/251813678230302)
tand [Twitter](https://twitter.com/girlsgottarun) to stay up-to-date with our work.
