A little over a week ago, Girls on the Run stormed the General Assembly in Richmond.  I say stormed because nine of us split into three teams and managed to meet with all 37 Northern Virginia delegates in one day!

The teams were made up of Girls on the Run staff members, Board members, and coaches.  Each team had pre-arranged meetings with our Northern Virginia delegates and state senators.  At each meeting, we told the Girls on the Run story and asked for help spreading the word about our program.  We also assured the folks we met with that we were not asking for any money because we knew there was none to be had, but that we wanted them to know about our wonderful program so they would keep us in mind when funding became available.

 Girls on the Run was also recognized on the floor of the House of Delegates and the floor of the State senate – talk about spreading the word!  And, in addition to having the best-laid plans, we also had a little luck with us.  We happened to run into Governor Bob McDonnell and were able to tell him about Girls on the Run, present him with a Girls on the Run t-shirt and Reindeer Romp medal, and give him a packet of information on our program. 

 And thus the first Girls on the Run of Northern Virginia Advocacy Day was born.  I’m not sure the General Assembly will ever be the same.  More than one person was heard to say, “Who are all those women in black pants carrying canvas bags?”  Canvas Girls on the Run coaches bags of course.