Inspirational Stories
At the Foundation, it is believed that most often we find ourselves inspired by a story we hear, an article we read, or an act of leadership that we’re fortunate enough to witness. In hopes of continuing the cycle of giving back and passing it on, the Foundation celebrates its former scholarship recipients and the leadership projects they’ve chosen to pursue. Using their week at the Julie Foudy Sports Leadership Academy as a catalyst for their efforts, these girls and young women have initiated change through action. Each leadership project is unique in form, but they all share the same fundamental purpose of empowering others by example. We are so proud of these girls and young women, and their decision to CHOOSE TO MATTER!!! Their willingness to make a difference will undoubtedly inspire others to do so as well.
CREATING NEW HOPE with USED EQUIPMENT -
Haley Boyd
I am actively working with the Las Vegas community to distribute used soccer gear to underprivileged children. We call the organization Play It FORWARD. In November 2009, I organized my first used-equipment collection drive at the Las Vegas Turkey Shoot Tournament. My family and I passed out flyers – to attendees and car windshields - that detailed Play it FORWARD’s mission. By the end of the tourney we collected a full box of gear! Not too shabby! Read More
Krazy Crush Soccer Clinic -
Taylor Whipple
In the past few years the Carlisle Soccer Club had made great strides in improving the field conditions, but with the failure of the well pump late last summer the fields returned to being full of sand burrs - ouch!...Our project was to introduce kids to soccer, get kids to sign up for soccer with the Carlisle Soccer Club which in turn would help increase funds for the club to help improve field conditions...The "Krazy Crush" clinic wouldn't have been such a success without the grant from the JFSLA... Read More
Julie Foudy Sports Leadership Academy Scholarship -
Belinda J. Ruvalcaba
…My trainers were great, and I saw and heard things that I never thought I would. I learned that leadership is a major part in soccer, and I see my sport in a different way. When I came back home I made a promise to myself, that I was going to dedicate myself to school and my club soccer team. Read More
Care Packages for the Troops -
Ana Tantum
I decided I was going to have a bake sale to raise the money to send care packages to the Troops. I would like to thank the Julie Foudy Leadership Foundation for giving me the opportunity to do this project. It felt good knowing that I was helping others in need and taught me I can do anything if I work hard and set my mind to it. Read More
The Value of the American Dollar…in Afganistan -
Razeia Rasoul
I proposed providing direct support to the sick people in Kabul who were very poor. I told them that I had money from the Julie Foudy Foundation in America and that I was going to give money to the patients who needed it the most. When I got home, my mother and I talked about how we never thought this would happen... Read More
Resolve on the Path of Great Resistance -
Yasamin Rasoul
...I was kicked off the soccer field. I looked for and found another field, but it wasn't safe for the girls because others who disagreed with girls playing soccer would watch and cause problems. Boys would come and make fun of them and give them a hard time when they left practice… The leadership camp helped me a lot, I learned to never give up; and without the grant money I would have had to stop the soccer team. So I will always be thankful for this soccer camp and the Julie Foudy Foundation. Read More
Taking Notes & Leaving the World a Better Place -
Lynnea Davis
At the JFSLA, I was able to listen to great women role models; Billie Jean King and Dr. Colleen Hacker, be involved in hands-on activities, and contribute to team-building exercises. I was also able to take part in a community service-learning project…I wasn't at JFSLA to just listen and see great things being done, but to actually DO great things. Read More
Trading Pizza for Personal Growth -
Mikayla McSweeney
I would like to thank Julie Foudy for all of the opportunities she has given me. When I walked into the class room I thought it would be just some project I had to do, and I knew I would have fun with it. But I didn't realize that I would learn so much about autistic children, as well as new things about myself... Read More
Initiative: How I Won a Marathon Before it Started -
Kayleigh Bhangdia
The Marathon Project is an organization that targets inner-city kids with obesity, drug addiction or home abuse, as well as drop outs. It teaches the kids to run, and they compete as a team in many races. In November, they run in the Philadelphia Marathon. It costs $1,000 to send just one kid to the marathon. I received a letter from the Julie Foudy Leadership Foundation granting me $250; my goal was to raise $1,000, so I spent time thinking up other fundraising ideas... Read More
Courage, Character, and Choosing to Matter -
Gabe Guefen
On the second day of camp you were taking photographs while my team was playing a scrimmage. You took the time to come up to me and ask me how I was feeling and you told me that you thought that I was really brave for what I was going through. Those five minutes you took to talk to me meant the world to me. I couldn't believe that you actually knew who I was and the fact that you took the time to come talk to me was so special. I could not have been happier or more excited. You gave me the confidence that I never knew I had and inspired me in ways that I could have never imagined. Read More
– Harriet Tubman