The phrase “Star Power” is one you’ll hear quite a bit at Girls on the Run.

Hundreds of girls across greater Richmond learn about Star Power each season. In other words, they’re asked to reflect on the special qualities that make them unique, confident, and strong—and what they can do to activate those qualities. The lesson may only last ninety minutes, but the impact that follows can be pretty incredible. Just ask Coach Grace, who recounts her time leading the Star Power lesson at Woodville Elementary this past season:

“[The girls] all closed their eyes, and I began to lead them through the [visualization]. As I guided them to see their Star, I watched their expressions start to change. I saw excitement. I saw smiles. I could physically see warmth.” 

And what did they see?

“My star was bright and sparkly with a big purple bow.” 

“My star was like a rainbow that wrapped around me … like it was moving.” 

“My star was black but had a bright light in the middle like a lamp and had sparkles, too.” 

Grace was moved to tears, saying, “I have only had a handful of moments in my life that were as powerful as this experience.”

Coach Grace’s story is just a small snapshot of the widespread impact that Girls on the Run has had in greater Richmond this past school year. Thanks to the support of educators, school administrators, and community members, 900 girls in grades 3-8 participated in GOTR’s after-school programs across 49 locations (a new record for our council!). 

Along the way, those 900 girls strengthened their self-confidence, built positive relationships with teammates and coaches, and learned critical life skills such as managing emotions, resolving conflict, and expressing empathy. The girls also experienced the power of giving back by completing community service projects of their own design, and—who could forget—crossed the finish line at the end-of-season 5K celebrations! In just the spring season alone, over 93% of participants reported that because of GOTR, they learned things from kids who are different from them, feel that they can speak up for themselves, and know how to deal with strong emotions. When asked about the most important thing she discovered about herself during the season, one girl shared, “[GOTR] taught me that I’m important in my own way, and to persevere.”

And it’s not just the girls who are feeling the positive effects of the GOTR spirit in Richmond! The fall and spring teams were made possible by a total of 234 coaches volunteering their time and energy to inspire the next generation of healthy, confident girls. One of those coaches was Carrie, who shared: “Initially, I volunteered to be a coach because my daughter loves Girls on the Run. I was not prepared for the impact on my life personally … Being able to be a mentor who spreads the GOTR message of self-acceptance and confidence is undoubtedly healing for myself … With the understanding that I can potentially influence even just one young girl to believe that they are individualistic, capable, and worthy, I know GOTR will be a part of my life forever.”

The results speak for themselves: over 90% of participants say they have fun at GOTR practices, have coaches and teammates that support them, and feel like they have a place to belong. Nearly 100% of coaches report that they were able to create an environment where girls felt safe to be themselves.

Girls on the Run Greater Richmond continues to expand its reach, aiming to serve more girls each year and foster a community where women of all ages and stages can thrive, both physically and emotionally. In fact, preparations for the 2024-2025 school year are already underway! Interested in getting involved? Consider volunteering your time as a coach or assisting at the upcoming 5K events. No running or coaching experience is required—just a commitment to inspire and motivate. Click here to learn more.

In the meantime, we wish everyone a safe and happy summer!