Girls on the Run President Passionate About Empowering Healthy Choices Among Women

Girls on the Run of Southeastern Michigan (GOTRSEMI) has an extremely dedicated board president who is willing to do just about anything to raise awareness and funds for the organization.

Girls on the Run is a non-profit organization that envisions a world where every girl knows and activates her limitless potential and is free to boldly pursue her dreams. The Southeastern Michigan council was founded in 2001 to serve Washtenaw, Jackson, Lenawee, Monroe and Livingston counties. Girls on the Run hosts two 10-week seasons, one in the spring and one in the fall. Volunteer role models lead participants through a well-researched life skill’s curriculum designed to support all aspects of girls' development — physical, emotional, mental and social well being. Lessons include fun running games and experiential activities that help girls learn to create healthy habits, make positive choices, stand up for themselves and serve as leaders.

The program culminates in a non-competitive 5K event, which gives the girls a chance to shine and an overwhelming sense of accomplishment.

On June 3, Board President Bill Holmes donned a pink running skirt while running the Dexter-Ann Arbor half marathon in an effort to bring awareness to Girls on the Run and raise money for the scholarship program. Holmes, an American Airlines captain and vice president of Chelsea Milling Company, is the father of three daughters and has been a member of the board since 2007.

“As the board president, I feel as though I can make a positive difference in helping achieve our goals,” he said. “As a runner myself, I thought that a creative twist to fundraising and awareness of who we are could be accomplished by drawing attention to myself in a fun way by wearing a pink skirt while running the Dexter-Ann Arbor half marathon. Although my wife and three daughters are now convinced that I am out of my mind, the experience was positive as I received numerous ‘go get 'em’ comments for which I replied, ‘Girls on the Run have so much fun!’ All in all, a great day for Girls on the Run and for me.”

Danielle Plunkett, executive director of GOTRSEMI, said the organization is extremely proud that in 10 years they have never had to turn a family away for their inability to pay the registration fee.

“This spring 35 percent of our participants received scholarships,” she said. “We need to raise more than $50,000 to provide scholarships to families in need this fall. Our staff and board of directors are working very hard to ensure that we do not have to turn any girls away.”

According to the Michigan Women’s Commission, “The Status of Young Women in Michigan” report, 41 percent of high school females in Michigan report having had sexual intercourse. Michigan’s teen pregnancy rate is 54 per 1,000. Every eight days, a woman in Michigan dies from causes related to domestic violence. Michigan has the nation’s highest percentage of 19-29 year old female smokers.

Michigan ranks 35th nationally in percent (22 percent) of college-educated women. And the Center for Disease Control and Prevention reports that Michigan ranks the third worst among the states for rate of obesity and has been among the ten heaviest states for the past 14 years.

Girls on the Run addresses both the physical and emotional needs of girls at a critical developmental juncture to prepare them for adolescence and to prevent risky behaviors. Since their inaugural season in 2002 the organization has served 7,410 girls.

For more information about Girls on the Run, visit www.girlsontherun.org.