[dropcap size=big]In[/dropcap] 2006, Girls Gotta Run Foundation was established to help impoverished Ethiopian girls pursue their dreams of becoming professional runners. 8 years, 4 running teams, and nearly 50 runners later, Girls Gotta Run is going strong and pushing boundaries more than ever. Through collaborations with other running organizations and the integration of local Ethiopian communities, Girls Gotta Run has been able to provide their girls with the tools and moral support that they need to reach their full potential. Although GGR supplies their runners with the necessary gear, including shoes and training clothes, the empowerment that these girls feel doesn't just come from a pair of shoes. Kayla Nolan, the current Executive Director of Girls Gotta Run, gave us her perspective on what makes this foundation different and answered our most crucial questions: Why running? Why Ethiopia? UndoOrdinary: The driving force of GGR is female empowerment. What do you think signifies empowerment? Kayla Nolan: I think empowerment is having the knowledge and autonomy to make decisions that affect your life. Empowerment is then visible when individuals have the capacity to manifest their decisions through action. In Ethiopia, women face incredible barriers to self-expression and decision-making. Publicly using your body as a powerful athletic tool is a new form of self-expression that many girls have previously been unable to explore in Ethiopia. I think the development of physical power as a catalyst for psychological, economic and social power continues to be a transformative result of the involvement of women in running from all backgrounds, ages and abilities. U: Why running? KN: We use running as a tool for empowerment because it is the most cost effective and culturally appropriate sport available. However, I think running is most effective internationally because it is available to every able-bodied individual. You don't need a hoop, a team, or expensive gear to run. Running belongs to everyone. I think there is something very powerful about being able to step into your physical strength, reach the goals you set for yourself and explore what it means to be a powerful human being. 1 U: Why Ethiopia? KN: GGR works specifically in Ethiopia because the country has an incredibly rich legacy of elite running. Running is one of the few realms in Ethiopian society where women are recognized as equal competitors to men and are respected for their contribution to the national identity through running. It's an anomaly in Ethiopian culture for women to pass up marriage, dress in spandex shorts and run in groups of other women in the pursuit of Olympic greatness. GGR leverages the cultural power of running in Ethiopia to create greater educational, economic and social opportunities for girls. U: What is GGR's ultimate goal? KN: GGR invests in girls who are using running and education to empower themselves and their communities. Our ultimate goal is to help girls avoid early marriage, stay in school, and find community and strength through running at a time in their lives when they are most vulnerable to harmful traditional practices. With this support, girls are then able to make decisions on their own behalf regarding their health, family, education, and finances into the future. GGR a girl revolution - one run at a time.   Writer: Madeline Turner // Photographer: Marie Claire Andrea Get involved with Girls Gotta Run by visiting them online at girlsgottarun.org!
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