What happens when a community comes together to believe in girls? Confidence grows. Voices become stronger. Friendships flourish. And the impact creates a ripple effect that reaches far beyond a single season.

On Wednesday, October 28, Girls on the Run gathered at Triple Crossing – Fulton for EmpowHER Hour, a special evening celebrating the incredible coaches, volunteers, donors, and community supporters who make our mission possible.

More than a midseason celebration, the evening brought our community together to reflect on Girls on the Run's meaningful impact on the girls we serve and the adults who show up for them.

Through heartfelt stories from our coaches, three powerful themes emerged: the lifelong impact of Girls on the Run, the importance of what we teach, and the unexpected rewards of becoming a coach.

More Than Running: Lessons That Last a Lifetime

At Girls on the Run, running is just the beginning. Our program creates a supportive space where girls learn to recognize their strengths, navigate friendships, establish healthy boundaries, and use their voices with confidence.

During the evening's panel, Carlie, a school counselor and Girls on the Run coach, shared why teaching assertive communication is one of her favorite parts of the curriculum.

"I love teaching girls how to stand up for themselves in a confident, empowered way and not shrink themselves, not apologize for how they feel, or silence their voices."

These lessons don't end at practice. They carry into classrooms, friendships, families, and everyday moments when girls are learning who they are and what they're capable of becoming.

When Girls Inspire Their Coaches

One of the evening's most touching reminders was that Girls on the Run's impact goes both ways.

Emma, a former Girls on the Run participant who has returned as a coach, shared a powerful moment when a girl on her team reconsidered what strength means. During a conversation about body image, the girl shifted from seeing skinny as a compliment to recognizing that being strong is what's really worth celebrating.

For Emma, it reminded her that even as adults, we can learn from the girls we mentor.

Her connection to the program runs even deeper. Having participated in Girls on the Run during a challenging time in her childhood, Emma now has the opportunity to provide the same encouragement and belonging she once received.

"They've helped me just as much as I hope to have helped them."

It's a beautiful example of Girls on the Run's ripple effect: girls become confident young women, and some return to inspire the next generation.

The Power of Being Present, Vulnerable, and Real

For Aliyah, a teacher and returning Girls on the Run coach, the relationships built through coaching are about more than teaching a curriculum. They're about showing girls what authentic connection and mentorship look like.

During the panel, Aliyah encouraged coaches to embrace vulnerability and recognize that even adults are continually learning and growing.

By sharing her own experiences and acknowledging that she, too, sometimes struggles with the skills being taught, Aliyah helps girls understand that confidence, communication, and emotional growth are lifelong practices—not lessons to master in a single season.

She hopes girls remember their coaches as trusted people they can turn to, even after the season ends.

"Our connection doesn't stop with just Girls on the Run."

For Aliyah, the true legacy of coaching is creating relationships that extend beyond practice. She reminds the girls that they have a mentor, a friend, and someone who genuinely cares about their future.

Her testimony reminds us that being a great coach isn't about having all the answers. It's about being willing to learn, grow, and show up alongside the girls.

It Takes a Community to Empower a Girl

None of these moments would be possible without the extraordinary people who believe in our mission.

Our volunteer coaches show up each season with compassion, energy, and encouragement. Our donors and sponsors provide essential resources that help make the program possible. And our community partners and supporters help ensure that more girls have opportunities to discover their potential.

EmpowHER Hour was our opportunity to celebrate YOU, the people who give your time, resources, and hearts to help girls become joyful, healthy, and confident.

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to our event sponsors, Alexis Advisors, Brown Advisory, KPMG, Women's Interactive Network at Janney, Troutman Pepper Locke, and EY, along with Agnihotri, RowHouse, the Flying Squirrels, and our additional community partners who helped make the evening special.

Your generosity makes a difference, one girl at a time.

The Conversation Doesn't End Here

The stories shared at EmpowHER Hour were too meaningful to fit into one evening, or one blog post.

Over the coming weeks, we're excited to take you behind the scenes of Girls on the Run through a special three-part blog series inspired by the voices of our coaches and community: 

• The Impact of GOTR: Beyond the Finish Line: Discover how Girls on the Run builds confidence, creates lasting connections, and inspires girls long after their season ends. 

• What We Teach: Finding Your Voice and Discovering Your Strength: Explore the meaningful lessons girls learn throughout the season, as each practice builds essential life skills, encourages personal growth, and empowers girls with the confidence and tools to navigate life's challenges. 

• Why Become a Coach? The Gift That Gives Back: Hear firsthand how volunteering with Girls on the Run changes lives on both sides of the relationship.

As we continue through the fall season, one thing is certain: Girls on the Run is about so much more than crossing a finish line. It's about building a community where every girl feels seen, supported, and empowered to reach her limitless potential.

Thank you for showing up, believing in our girls, and making this mission possible. Together, we're creating a ripple effect that lasts a lifetime.