Girls on the Run Georgia is celebrating 25 years of inspiring confidence in girls across Georgia, and each month, we’re spotlighting supporters who have played a crucial role in shaping our council.
This month, we’re proud to spotlight Anetra Briggins, a dedicated coach, Young Professionals Board member, and proud Girls on the Run alum.
Anetra’s love for running started at just five years old, when she first sprinted on a track and competed. After the summer track season ended, she begged her mom to find a way for her to continue running. Luckily, her elementary school hosted a Girls on the Run team, so her mom signed her up! Though training for a 5K was different from sprinting, crossing that finish line gave her a proud sense of accomplishment that has stayed with her ever since.
She went on to compete in track and field through high school, eventually becoming a Division 1 hurdler at the University of Oregon. In 2020, Anetra returned to Girls on the Run as a volunteer coach in the Bay Area, and today she coaches at Sarah Smith Elementary School in Buckhead while serving on the Girls on the Run Georgia Young Professionals Board.
For Anetra, some of the most memorable moments as a coach are watching girls transform over the course of a season, from being unsure of their abilities to confidently running a 5K. One season in particular stands out. “Our GOTR practice field was near a dog park and a local animal shelter would bring dogs by the park often for socialization,” Anetra recalled. “The girls loved running alongside the fence with the dogs during practice. For their community impact project that season, our girls decided to write thank you cards to people who adopted pets from the animal shelter. It really showed how GOTR could make a difference right in our own community!”
The program’s influence has been lifelong for Anetra. As a participant, it taught her confidence, goal-setting, and the power of community. As a coach, she now works to pass those lessons on. “I want girls to know they can have strong bodies, be great friends, and accomplish anything they set their mind to, starting with a 5K, but also so much more,” she said.
When she reflects on her earliest days with Girls on the Run, the details of specific lessons may be fuzzy, but the feeling remains clear: “I remember the joy I felt when I ran. I felt strong, confident, and like I could accomplish anything.”
Thank you, Anetra, for all that you do to inspire and empower the next generation!
