The Mighty Force of Girl Power! September 29, 2007

Celebrating the Mighty Force of Girl Power!

Clarian Health, the Girl Scouts of Indiana and the YWCA join resources to encourage confident, healthy girls

INDIANAPOLIS- Central Indiana girls will have the opportunity take part in a unique, first-time event filled with fun, fitness and helpful tips to be their best. Girl Power! is Saturday, September 29, 2007, from 9:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. at the Pioneer Our Land Pavilion at the Indiana State Fairgrounds.

Girl Power! teaches girls ages 7 to 14 to be safer, smarter and healthier with demonstrations, speakers and displays. Indiana first lady Cheri Daniels will open the event and the day will be filled with messages from other positive role models for girls. Keynote speaker Dominique Dawes, an Olympic gold medal gymnast and national spokeswoman for The Dove Campaign for Real Beauty and the Girl Scouts of America will talk to girls about their inner and outer beauty.

Additionally, 2004 U.S. Paralympian for wheelchair tennis Karin Korb, will stress the importance of sports in the lives of girls. Karin, who was injured in a gymnastics vaulting accident, is currently training for the 2008 Paralympics to be held in Beijing, China.

Other speakers will highlight important issues such as self-esteem and abstinence. A representative of the Indianapolis Marion County Police Department will share personal safety tips for girls.

The concept for Girl Power! was sparked by Jennifer Crocker, M.D. who specializes in physical medicine and rehabilitation at Methodist Hospital and is passionate about empowering girls.

“I wanted to put on an event to promote girls and women in sports- both adaptive and able-bodied. It’s important to improve disability awareness, body image, confidence, health and self-esteem. Involvement in sports and healthy habits can also help prevent obesity, substance abuse, and domestic violence,” Crocker says.

The fitness zone at Girl Power! features the Indy Air Bears jump rope team providing jump rope lessons and the Indianapolis Community Tennis Association with tennis instruction. IRL driver Sarah Fisher will provide commentary during the fashion show which features girls of all shapes, colors and sizes.

Official Website: http://www.in.gov/statefair/fairgrounds/index.html