About Us
Simply Women Ohio started out as YS Girls Running organized in June 2009. The captain of the team and I joined together with a desire to create a space in Yellow Springs school-based sports for girls to participate in ways which are meaningful to them. We focused our goals primarily on running sports that first year.
Paloma Wiggins at the 2011 Flying Pig Marathon
We also needed to raise funds to support our goals. For my part, I created first fundraiser called the “Simply Women 5k run/walk for women and girls” held here in town for women and girls only. It was a huge success! Many female participants of all ages came out to run, jog, and walk the event. There was a lot of spirit and excitement at and around the event. Some people shared stories of this being their first 5k ever, and how nervous they were at first, but they in turn had a ton of fun. There were moms and daughters participating together, as well as, runners and walkers ranging in age from eighty-five to little ones being pushed in strollers. This helped me realize the impact and importance of girls and women being active and healthy.
Soon after, it became very apparent to me that the purpose of this organization was much more than running, and our reach could be broader than school-based sports. As the director of the organization, I decided to change the name to Simply Women Ohio. I decided to change the name so it would more accurately represent the mission and objectives that I have for the organization. This change made sense to me because I want to reach more than just high school runners, but girls and women of all ages in and around the community. This year, 2013, will be the 5th annual Simply Women 5k Run/Walk for Women and Girls!!