Girls on the Run Memphis is thrilled to welcome Molly Barker to the 901 ahead of our Empowered Giving Circle fundraising event March 30th! Molly Barker founded Girls on the Run in Charlotte, North Carolina back in 1996 with a small team of less than twenty girls. Now, the program she started and championed has reached over 2 million girls worldwide. 

Molly will be speaking about her incredible journey and how she overcame the challenges in her way on Sunday, March 30th at the Annesdale Mansion from 4PM to 6PM. While the event is free to attend, it serves as a fundraiser and information session for the GOTR Memphis Empowered Giving Circle, a group of community champions that make a significant annual or monthly contribution to GOTR Memphis. 

Past Board Chair Kelly Jo Graves is spearheading the planning for the Empowered Giving Circle event along with a dedicated Host Committee, our GOTR Board Members, and Executive Director. When asked why she was excited about Molly Barker coming to speak to the GOTR community here in Memphis, she said:

“[Molly Barker’s] story is one of resilience, transformation, and breaking free from the limitations placed on us by society. A conversation with Molly isn’t just inspiring—it’s a call to action to rethink how we support and uplift the next generation…Her work is a reminder that when you plant a seed of empowerment, it grows into something far greater than you could ever imagine. And that’s exactly what we’re doing here in Memphis—one girl, one school, and one season at a time.”

It is because of donors and sponsors like EGC members that we are able to uphold our promise that no girl gets turned away from our programs for an inability to pay. This means every girl in Memphis, regardless of her background, can receive whole-body wellness lessons and life skill development that will set her up for success as she get ready to join the next generation of women leaders. 

“The Empowered Giving Circle is more than just a group of supporters—it’s a community of changemakers who believe in the transformative power of Girls on the Run Memphis,” Graves said when asked about the importance of donors and the Empowered Giving Circle. “The Empowered Giving Circle ensures that every girl, regardless of her background, has access to the life-changing lessons that Girls on the Run provides. These aren’t just lessons about running; they’re lessons in self-worth, perseverance, and leadership—skills that will shape these girls for a lifetime.”

GOTR Memphis is proud to have ten sites this spring and nearly 150 girls across the city in our programs. 70% of our program participants rely on financial aid and assistance from folks like Empowered Giving Circle donors to cover their costs for the season.

Visit our website to learn more about Molly, the Empowered Giving Circle, and the event on March 30th. If you plan on attending, make sure to RSVP by March 25th for some tasty hor d’oeuvres and inspiring conversation!