Hinckley Allen’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion is something the firm lives every day both in and out of work. The Women’s Forum supports local charitable and professional organizations important to its members and has been actively involved with Girls on the Run, an involvement which has steadily grown through sponsorship and volunteering. Girls on the Run is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to create a world where every girl knows and activates her limitless potential and is free to boldly pursue her dreams. Using interactive lessons and physical activity, Girls on the Run inspires girls to build confidence and other important life skills.
Girls on the Run seeks to empower young girls and improve their confidence through physical activity and team building. Hinckley Allen recognizes the value in that.
“The Women’s Forum at Hinckley Allen wanted to focus on an organization in our footprint to be involved with on both a sponsorship and volunteer level. The mission of Girls on the Run aligns with the firm’s values and is about so much more than running a race. The focus on confidence building and communication skills are things that, as attorneys, we know are so important in our day-to-day lives,” says Meaghan Krupa, Corporate & Business Partner and Women’s Forum Co-Chair.
Olivia Mathews, Executive Director of Girls on the Run – Boston explains the importance of their mission saying, “At a time when endless factors are at play to diminish girls’ confidence, self-worth and esteem, Girls on the Run is proven to help girls stay on a healthy track toward young adulthood. We know that girls are struggling with their mental health and the pandemic has exacerbated that. Hinckley Allen is one of our incredibly impactful corporate partners whose support is instrumental in enabling us to bring this proven program to girls throughout Eastern Massachusetts.”
Longtime Girls on the Run volunteer Lindsey Peterson Black, associate in the Construction & Public Contracts Group, keeps busy with the New Hampshire chapter. “The New Hampshire office was the first to participate in a 5K event back in 2019 and we even had attorneys from as far away as the Providence office drive up to join us. Since then, we have made a name for ourselves in the New Hampshire Girls on the Run community with our enthusiastic involvement. I am genuinely ecstatic about the firm’s and Women’s Forum’s commitment to this organization.” In 2023, the New Hampshire office increased its commitment to Girls on the Run by becoming a Be Amazing Sponsor. This substantial sponsorship fully supports a team of twenty girls at one of the group’s Title One sites. Jen Hubbell, Executive Director of Girls on the Run – New Hampshire, said, “Coaches and volunteers are critical to the success of our mission. Hinckley Allen’s sponsorship and enthusiastic participation helps us reach even more girls.”
At the conclusion of the season, the excitement is palpable at the races. At the fall and spring 5ks, every girl is paired with a running buddy. Frequently that’s a parent or guardian in the girl’s life. Sometimes girls will get paired with a volunteer, a Solemate, or someone from the running community who will run the race with them. From dads in tutus to siblings cheering, the family and community involvement means the world to the girls.
Lindsey expands on what it is like to volunteer at the New Hampshire 5K race saying, “Everyone should experience a Girls on the Run 5k race! These races are such a huge accomplishment for the girls, and the atmosphere created by the Girls on the Run team and the other volunteers, is electric. The events are so fun, supportive, and exciting that they have become an office favorite. I love being able to assist in whatever way I can with helping these girls from all over New Hampshire strive to meet their goals, learn their value, and grow into tomorrow’s leaders.”
The relationship between Hinckley Allen and Girls on the Run is a natural fit and the commitment to the organization is firm wide. “This is an organization that the firm really stands behind. Partners, associates, and staff have come out and volunteered at weekend races. It’s great to see that kind of enthusiasm for an organization,” said Meaghan.
Hinckley Allen is sponsoring upcoming Girls on the Run spring 5Ks in Rhode Island, New Hampshire, and Massachusetts. For more information about upcoming races and how to get involved with Girls on the Run, please visit https://www.girlsontherun.org/get-involved/.