On April 19, 2010, I will be running 26.2 miles for a group of amazing young girls who are on their way to developing into strong and independent women due in large part to a program called G-ROW.  G-ROW is the first rowing and relationship-building program designed specifically for girls ages 12-18 in the Boston area public schools, and focuses on building girls’ strengths and confidence, in addition to aiming to diversify the traditionally exclusive sport of rowing.  G-ROW recruits a diverse group of more than 200 girls of which 32% are African American, 25% White, 28% Latina, 14% Asian, and 1% Native American, all who are living in underserved neighborhoods.  

The mission of G-ROW Boston is to bring the physical, psychological and social rewards of rowing to girls who may not otherwise have access to the sport.  G-ROW provides a safe space for adolescent girls to develop a strong self-image, form healthy relationships, and build the interest, skills and dispositions necessary to make positive life choices.  G-ROW places a strong emphasis on academics through a combination of group homework sessions, one-on-one tutoring, and regular exposure to college through practices (often held on college campuses), campus tours (organized by G-ROW several times per year), and regattas (where there is usually a heavy college presence).  This “demystifies” college, and makes it seem real and achievable for these girls.  G-ROW collaborates with Bottom Line, a nonprofit organization that helps urban youth to plan for and attain a college education.  Sine 1998, all of G-ROW graduates have gone on to college, almost all to a four-year college.  

I have been rowing competitively for about nine years now, and what I have experienced and gained through this sport is immeasurable.  I know that G-ROW will give these girls the tools they need to succeed in life, despite coming from lower-income and underserved areas.  Rowing will teach these girls how to individually push themselves past any limit, as well as how to work effectively with their teammates and focus on a common goal.  Rowing demands hard work, dedication, and sacrifice, and it is for these reasons these girls will become confident not only in themselves, but in their team.  These traits they will develop and strengthen will pour over into other areas of their life, and they will become role models in their schools, as well as in their communities.  I have great faith in these young women, and I would love if you would support me in my athletic endeavor to help these girls continue to receive the positive reinforcement they need. 

Thank you so much for taking the time to read this; I truly appreciate it.  This is something I really support and believe in, and any contribution is most graciously appreciated.  - Angelique