Atlantic County girls will soon have a program to strengthen their minds and spirits.
New Jersey Give a Kid a Dream is partnering with the Atlantic City Boxing Hall of Fame to bring Girls in Gloves to the community, said Ray McCline, president and founder of the Hall of Fame.
The program was created for girls between the ages of 8 and 16, and began in Long Branch, Monmouth County, with New Jersey Hall of Fame Coach Jackie Atkins.
The local introduction is set via Zoom on Jan. 29.
Girls in Gloves aims to teach young women about the “self”: self-defense, self-worth, self-confidence, self-awareness, self-empowerment, self-control and self-love.
"It's more than just the gloves we wear in boxing," Atkins explains. "Girls in Gloves will bring young women together for essential programming all females need to become champions of life. At a time when women's boxing is more important and popular than ever before, Girls in Gloves will unit and inspire young ladies to achieve greatness in the ring and in life."
Atkins, a retired AT&T Bell Labs executive, started the program in her hometown with the second chapter set for Atlantic City.
Parents looking for more information or interested in enrolling their daughters can email njgakad@gmail.com.
Mimi Nambo, a member of the committee, is bilingual and can assist with any Spanish-speaking inquiries via the same email address.
Girls in Gloves will cover topics and focal points during each session, brining in powerful women from various backgrounds and professions to empower and inspire girls to dream, McCline said.
