Liz Ferro started a non-profit 5-years ago called Girls With Sole. Her organization uses free fitness and wellness programs to empower the minds, bodies and souls of girls who have experienced abuse of any kind or who are at-risk. They team up with Residential Treatment Centers and schools, and bring the programming directly to the girls where they are. The programs help girls heal and learn to cope in a healthy way, and also focus on self-esteem and empowerment for purposes of prevention and awareness. 

Girls with Sole launched in Cleveland, Ohio with just four girls; since then, Ferro has worked with over 800. She partners with social service agencies, schools, juvenile detention centers, and local hospitals to target girls ages 9 to 18. When they sign up, the girls get free running shoes, sports bras, water bottles, a fitness journal, and free entry into at least two 5K races a year. And Ferro does her best to introduce them to a variety of fitness programs so that the girls can find their thing, be it yoga, football, volleyball, basketball, or running.  

Liz was in the foster care system and was also sexually abused by her next door neighbor when she was 8. After she was adopted she was forced to keep it a secret after her mom found out about it. Although she had many dark years – she is now able to help others as a result of her own experiences.

Her book, “Finish Line Feeling” was published two years ago, and it tells her story and how she started Girls With Sole. The proceeds from the book benefit her organization…and it’s her goal to be national by the year 2020! The girls in her programs receive free copies of her book, along with their curriculum and free running shoes and sports bras. The book is also a catalyst for her to raise awareness of the crucial topics of abuse, and having a voice.

Girls With Sole | www.girlswithsole.org

See Girls With Sole on the NBC TODAY Show

Liz Ferro’s Author Page

Purchase “Finish Line Feeling” Here

Read about Girls With Sole on YAHOO Beauty

Girls With Sole – Rocky River, OH – Charity Organization

Liz Ferro (GirlsWithSole) on Twitter

Girls With Sole ‘brings the happiness’ out of girls

Women That Inspire: Liz Ferro of Girls With Sole 

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ABOUT LIZ:

Liz Ferro (Girls With Sole)

Liz Ferro is the author of the book “Finish Line Feeling” and has personally crossed many finish lines. She has completed 32 marathons (2 of them 50K Ultras), 5 Ironman Triathlons and countless road races and triathlons of every distance.  The empowerment gained from sports led her to found the non-profit organization Girls With Sole. Currently she is working on the 50 States For Sole campaign.  She is running a marathon in all 50 States to raise funds and awareness for Girls With Sole programming.

She is the recipient of  the 2011 Classic Woman Award from Traditional Home Magazine;  the 2011 American Red Cross of Greater Cleveland Hero Award;  the 2012 Longines Women Who Make a Difference Award from Town & Country Magazine; and Girls With Sole was chosen Best New Charity of the Midwest Region by the CLASSY Awards in 2012.

Girls With Sole has been featured in Ohio Magazine, Runner’s World Magazine, Traditional Home Magazine, Live Well Magazine, Town & Country Magazine, and Family Circle Magazine.

Liz Ferro is a mom, wife, athlete, motivational speaker, author, and the Founder and Executive Director of Girls With Sole.