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Being a part of Girls in the Game has made such a positive impact on our family that we decided to write a family letter of appreciation and share a life-changing experience.
We are Julia (age 14) and Jasmine (age 16) Henderson, sisters involved with Girls in the Game for over four years. We have attended summer camp for many years, and have been a part of the Girl’s Advisory board for the past two years.
First from Julia: I am Julia and am an avid athlete, enjoying many sports—but basketball is my favorite. After learning about Title IX and the right of all girls to have equal access to sports, I went directly to our athletic director at school and asked why we had a boy’s basketball team, but no girl’s team. He said maybe next year – and I asked him if he had heard of Title IX. Guess what- we got our team! Girls in the Game gave me the KNOWLEDGE and CONFIDENCE to fight for what I believe in and make a difference. Thanks!
Now from Jasmine: I am Jasmine and I have been so honored to be a volunteer at the Girls in the Game summer camp for the past two years. This past summer all of the camp staff and volunteers were required to go through a 2-day training at Girls in the Game. As part of the training, we were certified in CPR/First Aid to ensure the safety and health of the campers we work with. What I didn’t realize was that the training I was provided with would soon come to save the life of my four-year-old niece.
My family was at church and my niece was sitting on my lap sucking on a very large piece of candy (which her mother did not realize she had). My niece began choking on the candy and at first I wasn’t worried because I thought she would cough it up. However, she soon stopped making a coughing noise and instead only a high pitch wheezing was heard. I knew she was choking. I yelled for help from the adults – many froze in fear or shock and no one knew what to do. Her mother was several rows back and could not hear us because of the loud singing.
I took a deep breath and knew it was up to me. I remembered the CPR/First Aid Training I received from Girls in the Game. I performed the Heimlich Maneuver. She coughed up the piece of candy and began crying. I hugged her and quickly her mother came to make sure she was ok. I was shaken, but so proud of myself. I truly understood at that moment what Girls in the Game had been telling us – girls can make a difference – do make a difference – and what a difference we make!
My sister Julia, my mother, and I shared this story with girls and their parents at the Girl’s Advisory Board Orientation. I wanted them to know that not only will being a part of this organization impact them in many positive ways, but it also will impact the lives of others in ways they can’t even imagine!
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