SOUTHEAST SEATTLE – A South Seattle – based girls’ leadership and empowerment program is competing for a chance to win a $5,000 grant to continue bringing middle and high school aged girls together with world-class female athletes.

“AGE UP (All Girl Everything Ultimate Program) uses the sport and community of Ultimate Frisbee to bring girls together to build community, develop positive identity, and be leaders,” said organizer Sam Terry. “We’re based at Jefferson Community Center and most participants come from Aki Kurose, Asa Mercer, Southshore K-8, Cleveland and Franklin.”

The group is taking part in GOOD’s “GOOD Summer” contest, an online vote that determines the awardee of a $5,000 grant. AGE UP is currently near the top of the pile, fourth in a field of 146 project ideas.

“The thing I like the best about AGE UP was the fact that we learned about social justice and women’s empowerment. Because guys talk about girls and b-words, so it was really empowering to learn about discrimination and stuff, to rise above that,” said one participant.

Voting is free and closes at noon this Fri., June 29. Go here to vote.

Photo/AGE UP