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October 11, 2024
Today is International Day of the Girl Child, observed annually to raise awareness of the challenges girls face and to promote girls’ empowerment and human rights. This year’s theme, ‘Girls’ Vision for the Future,’ focuses on the need for and power of girls’ voices to accelerate progress towards a future where every girl can fulfill her potential. Coming after yesterday’s World Mental Health Day, we took the occasion to speak with a few of our Head In The Game grantees on the subject.
With recent CDC data showing some improvement in girls mental health, read on for Box United (Illinois), Figure Skating In Harlem (New York) and Girls Leading Girls’ (California) thoughts on the future for girls and how they are using sport to positively impact their mental wellbeing:
BOX UNITED
Since 2019, Chicago-based boxing non-profit Box United has been helping girls fight against gender stereotypes that limit their mental and physical strength. Its 20-week Fight Like a Girl program uses boxing to build discipline, confidence and mind-body connections. Paired with a social-emotional wellbeing curriculum, the school and community based program is helping girls establish positive mental health practices from a young age.
We spoke to Founder Mary Kate Vanecko about the organization’s equal focus on physical and mental wellbeing, and her views on the future for girls.
What is your organization’s vision for girls?
We are aiming for a future where every girl feels empowered to overcome challenges, advocate for herself and inspire others, thus creating a ripple effect of kindness and strength in her school and community. Box United envisions a world where every girl, no matter her background, feels confident, powerful and self-assured. We are working to build a generation of resilient girls who embrace their strength and capabilities, using boxing as a transformative tool to foster self-esteem, leadership and a sense of community.
“I like boxing because it helps me see how strong I am and all that I can do… I’ve also learned to embrace my insecurities and the things that make me unique.”
How does sport empower girls?
Girls in sport have access to an outlet for their emotions and can learn how to manage stress, anxiety and aggression through physical activity, and they are able to build a supportive community and reduce feelings of isolation. Sports help girls build up their confidence, enhance their resilience, regulate their emotions and foster a sense of belonging. Girls who participate in sports develop a sense of accomplishment when they set their goals and they learn to bounce back from losses and challenges. These key factors can be translated to other areas of life, such as school performance and navigating friendships. Box United believes that sport and physical activity as a whole is the number one way to promote positive mental wellbeing in girls so they can be happy, healthy and confident.
Learn about Box United’s transformative work here.
FIGURE SKATING IN HARLEM
Based in Harlem, New York, Figure Skating in Harlem (FSH) is transforming girls’ lives, helping to grow their confidence, leadership and academic achievements. Since 1997, the organization has empowered girls of color by pairing the artistic discipline of figure skating with educational programs to build future champions and leaders. Recognizing the significance of youth development, especially for girls growing up in communities affected by generational poverty, FSH grounds itself in a holistic approach. Through education, ice skating and leadership development it is addressing systemic challenges and the mental trauma that often comes with it.
We spoke to Chief Growth Officer Naomi West on the organization’s hopes for girls, the power of figure skating and Give to Women and Girls Day.
What is your organization’s vision for girls?
Our organization’s vision is to empower every young girl with the skills and foundation to achieve her dreams. She will be a powerful speaker, an effective leader, live a healthy and financially independent lifestyle and be a global citizen.
How does sport empower girls?
Our creed says it best – “in life, like on ice, when I fall I get back up.” Figure skating, and sport in general, teaches resilience, confidence and dedication. These traits are the foundation of mental wellbeing and empower our girls to pursue their dreams in college and in their careers.
How is FSH recognizing Give to Women and Girls Day?
Give to Women and Girls Day exists to address the disparity in funding for organizations that serve girls and women, which receive only 2% of annual philanthropic dollars. This year, Figure Skating in Harlem’s celebration is a call to action to address this inequity. We ask our community to make donations on our website in honor of the girls we serve.
In our Give to Women and Girls Day campaign, we’re focusing on Natalie, a senior at Figure Skating in Harlem this year who will pursue a nursing degree after graduation. She shared that “FSH has changed my life. The confidence and skills I’ve gained here are helping me chase my dreams, on and off the ice.”
Learn more about Figure Skating in Harlem’s transformative work here.
GIRLS LEADING GIRLS
Girls Leading Girls supports girls and young women aged 5 to 17 from diverse socioeconomic backgrounds in San Francisco and Oakland, California. Its programs help stop girls from quitting physical activity at puberty and address the decline of women leaders on and off the field. It does this by providing training in sports and leadership in a girl-only safe spaces, free access to sports in low-income neighborhoods and schools, encouraging teamwork and sisterhood culture and employing positive women role models and mentors. The organization combines fun, fitness and personal growth through soccer, helping to increase girls’ self-esteem and ability to focus, while lowering their stress levels. Most importantly, it empowers girls to grow, develop confidence and build lasting friendships.
We spoke to Founder Brianna Russell on Girls Leading Girls’ on how it uses sport as a tool to empower girls and its vision for girls through its work.
What is your organization’s vision for girls?
We envision a world where young girls are empowered to become confident leaders, changemakers and role models in their communities. Through sports, leadership development and mentorship, the organization inspires girls to harness their potential, advocate for themselves and others, and lead with strength and compassion.
“Playing with Girls Leading Girls has taught me so much more than just soccer—it’s given me confidence, leadership skills and a strong community of supportive teammates that have become close friends I can trust.”
How does sport empower girls?
Sports empower girls by teaching them teamwork, leadership and perseverance, all of which help build confidence and self-efficacy. Engaging in physical activity also promotes mental wellbeing by reducing stress, improving mood and fostering resilience. Through sports, girls gain essential life skills like communication, problem-solving and goal-setting, which contribute to their overall mental health and ability to navigate challenges both on and off the field.
Learn more about Girls Leading Girls’ transformative work here.
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