Running Arizona for Women (RAW)

The goal of RAW (Running Arizona for Women) is two fold; to both run the Arizona Trail in under 30 days in January 2013, as well as raise a minimum of 5,000 dollars, to be donated to a Prescott non-profit, WEB, Women's Empowerment Breakthrough. This expedition will test us mentally and physically while also providing us with the opportunity to experience the entirety of Arizona (south to north), an ecosystem and culture we have lived and learned in for years. Our ability to perceviere through 817 miles in under a month will serve as our tool to reach our overarching goal: to empower and inspire other young woman to explore their full potential.On January 5th, 2013, we (Kelley, Amelia, and Chloe) will embark on a 30 day (or less) expedition at the border of Mexico and Arizona and spend the next month or so making our way along the 817 mile trail, to the northern border between Arizona and Utah. The trail is thru-hiked frequently but rarely run. Water is minimal and snow will most likely be heavy north of Prescott given the time of year. Between now (October) and then, we're going to fill the next three months with training, fundraising, training, hanging out and running with the WEB girls, and fundraising some more.

As women, adventurers, and athletes, the idea of running for women's empowerment means the world to us. When trying to think of a cause for which we wanted to run, women's empowerment was one of our first ideas, and it stuck. That being said, we could think of no better organization to donate to than Prescott's own, WEB (Women's Empowerment Breakthrough). Women’s Empowerment Breakthrough is a non-profit project  (501(c)3) of Prescott College. Since 2003, Women’s Empowerment Breakthrough (WEB) has been dedicated to organizing and hosting programs that provide young women with the opportunity to participate in educational and experiential activities that address social justice issues particular to women. These programs provide innovative and supportive environments where teenage girls can explore, define and achieve their goals. As another component of this fundraising campaign we will also be starting a running club for the girls involved with WEB, encouraging anyone who wants to run to join us on a weekly basis for group runs despite whatever limitations they may feel they have. For us, running is a conduit for getting to know yourself, creating a sense of place, feeling empowered in who you are and building community. It's our hope that through this fundraiser and this run, that we will be able to inspire all these things in other young women.