Go Get It Girl of the Week: Marny Cavanaugh

When I tell most people that I’m from a family of six kids, they’re usually blown away by the thought of so many people growing up under one roof!  I’m number five in the line-up with four older sisters and one younger brother and, yes, the house could feel very crowded at times with all these siblings but I actually loved having a big family. There was lots of laughter and cheer around the holidays, several closets to borrow clothes from (with or without sisters’ permission!) and the best part… having my four older sisters there to look up to as role models.

My sisters were my peers but at critical moments, they were also my best friends, confidants and mentors.   When I first began competitive swimming, I can still remember my all-star swimmer of a sister, Elizabeth, instructing me on how to perfect my stroke.  She would make me practice it over and over again until it was exactly right!  When troublesome girls in junior high started spreading gossip about me, my cooler sister, Erin, told me to ignore the rumors.  She then set those girls straight and made sure no one talked about her little sister again!  I had my sensitive sister, Meagan, there for me, too, when my heart got broken in high school.  I recall her telling me not to sweat an ex-boyfriend, that what was meant to be would be.  Wise advice!  And I also had my studious sister, Andrea, there for me during college application time.  She would proofread all my college essays, scribbling notes in the margin how to make each one better.

I was fortunate to have my sisters guide me in my decisions and inspire me to be the best person I could be.  I know there are lots of young girls out there without role models and I truly admire organizations that specifically focus on empowering girls with mentors.  They are making a big impact because I know firsthand the positive result mentors can have on a girl’s self-esteem and motivation.  So, I want to share a few of my favorite organizations that I think are making a difference in very unique ways…

Girls on the Run

http://www.girlsontherun.org/

Girls on the Run was founded in 1993 by Molly Barker, a four-time Hawaiian Ironman triathlete, as a way to help young girls develop a greater sense of identity, self-respect and healthy body image through the sport of running.  She first piloted a 12-week, 24-lesson curriculum – based on self-esteem enhancing, uplifting workouts – with 13 brave girls between the ages of 8 and 13 in Charleston, NC.  The pilot culminated in a non-competitive 5k fun run for the girls.  And Molly hasn’t looked back since.  In 2000, Girls on the Run became a 501(c) organization.  Today, the program is offered in 173 cities in North America, serving 80,000 girls in 2010 alone.

Row New York

http://www.rownewyork.org/

I also love the concept behind Row New York.  Its founder, Amanda Kraus, started the organization in 2002.  She wanted to give under-privileged girls in New York City exposure to the same invaluable lessons she had while rowing in college – teamwork, tenacity and commitment to self.  But off the water, Kraus is helping the girls succeed with tutoring and academic support.  The program began with one borrowed boat and eight young girls ready to row.  Today, the program gives opportunities to over 300 rowers and 100 percent of participants go on to college, many with scholarship for rowing and academics.

WriteGirl

http://www.writegirl.org/

As someone who enjoys writing, I wish WriteGirl was around when I was younger. The group was launched in December 2001 to bring one-on-one creative writing workshops and mentoring programs to teenage girls.  Professional women writers help girls explore the craft of writing in a wide variety of genres – poetry, fiction, creative non-fiction, songwriting, journalism, screenwriting, playwriting, editing and more. WriteGirl mentors do this while also focusing on promoting healthy behaviors through their mentoring relationships.  And it all seems to be paying off.  For the tenth year in a row, WriteGirl has sent 100% of its seniors to college, many on full or partial scholarships.

Is there an organization that focuses on empowering girls that you love?  

If so, take the time to volunteer with the group!  If you, too, had a strong female role model in your life – you know the impact that it can have on a young person.  Not sure where to start?  There are many organizations that empower and nurture girls to be the best they can be through all sorts of activities – tutoring, music, dance, theater, the list goes on.  But what counts is just spending time with a young person.  An easy place to begin your search would be your local Boys and Girls Club, community center or Big Brothers, Big Sisters.

I love being able to help young woman advance whether it be in sports, academics or in their careers.  If the opportunity is there, I step forward.  I know I have an obligation to be a good role model, just as my sisters once were to me.  I think they would be proud to know that their little sister is paying it forward for the guidance she received from them as a young person.  Now let’s just hope they forgive me for all those times I borrowed their favorite shirt, skirt or sweater without permission!

M. Cavanaugh is freelance writer based in New York City.