Girls with Sole is the vision of Q104 Listener and Mom Liz Ferro of Rocky River. The non-profit organization uses fitness and wellness to empower the minds, bodies and souls of girls who have experienced abuse. Liz herself is a survivor and now mom to two beautiful kids and a triathlete!

Athletics helped her survive and thrive and now she wants Girls with Sole to offer the same to other young girls.

I was honored to act as Mistress of Ceremonies for their first big fundraiser on Sunday.  It was held at the Busy Broad Boutique in Lakewood.  Awesome place!  Participants enjoyed a beautiful tea, fashion show, and speakers.

Liz has wasted no time in providing programming to area girls.  She’s already partnered with the Cleveland Rape Crisis Center and Fitworks .  If her cause speaks to you in any way, I urge you to offer your support!  Again, her website is www.girlswithsole.org.

Here’s a taste of what you missed!

Here I am with Glam Girl - Liz Ferro!

Check out that leg!

The setting was beautiful! In addition to the bar, people sat at small tables throughout the gallery. It was really a special day.

Liz Ferro of Rocky River is a Q104 listener and founder of Girls with Sole. Talk about a woman with SOUL!  She is dedicated to the idea that a girl’s life can be changed through learning about self-care, fitness, and nutrition.  Liz should know.

Her story is sad, but unfortunately, not unique.  As a foster child, she was adopted at the age of two and personally experienced sexual abuse. Liz credits athletics and fitness for giving her the self-esteem and inner strength needed throughout her life to overcome difficult times and view herself and her body as purposeful and important.

This Sunday, November 15th, Girls with Sole is hosting a fundraiser Tea and Fashion Show at Busy Broad Boutique which I am honored to host.  It starts at 3:00 and costs $25.  This is well worth your money!  Please join me in joining Liz in her efforts to turn her suffering into healing for others.

Oh boy. When my nine-year-old daughter finally earned her guinea pig, Herman,  the goal was to help her learn to be responsible and caring.  Little did I know that we’d be on the verge of discussing the facts of life.

Enter our 10-going-on-11 year old neighbor.  That’s a girl just about to start fifth grade where boys and girls segregate for health education class.  You know how girls talk.  Neighbor girl wants to earn a female guinea pig so her pet can mate with Herman.  The girls think it would be “fun” to have a lot of babies.  They checked out a book from the library.  I heard them outside last night reading bits and then saying “Eeewww!”  That’s what I’m saying.

I’m keeping my husband updated on our daughter’s summer of education and that at any moment, we will be playing on a whole new level.  Yesterday while we were all hanging out in the kitchen, I casually asked my daughter to explain the whole mating idea to my husband.

“Tell us again what mating means,” I started.

Our daughter looked at us like we were idiots.  “It means that if a boy likes a girl, they have babies,” she answered matter-of-factly.

“So, if a boy likes a girl, that’s all it takes?  Then she suddenly she has a baby?”

By the look on Gabby’s face, she clearly had not thought all this through.  We joked that she better not develop any crushes in fourth grade and she assured us that she still “hates” boys.  After chatting with neighbor girl’s mom, we agreed to keep each other updated on the release of crucial information.

So far, both girls believe sex means “kissing and hugging.”   When Gabby asked if guinea pigs have to be married to have babies, I gave an emphatic, “YES!”  In fact, my neighbors don’t even use the word “sex.” They refer to it as “the marriage act” to emphasize their values.

So, I’m monitoring the situation closely, ready to answer questions and dispense information as needed.  My favorite book for girls was purchased six months ago (”The Body Book” published by American Girl).  Little talks have already taken place.  It’s all in the timing, isn’t it?  You don’t want to give too much information too soon, yet not keep them ignorant to their detriment.

The only thing that makes me sad is that I may be discussing sex before she learns the truth about Santa Claus.