Dragonwing Blog
Cindy Parlow Cone Named UNC Outstanding Young Alumna
Many know Cindy Parlow Cone as a soccer superstar, a World Cup winner and Olympic gold medalist and most recently coach of the NWSL's Portland Thorns. Earlier this month, she was honored by her alma mater for these achievements and for being a "global envoy and safety advocate ... an involved and committed mentor to girls and young women around the globe."
Photo by David Gellatly, courtesy of UNC School of Education
The University of North Carolina School of Education named Parlow Cone, a 2007 graduate with a bachelor’s degree in middle grades education, an Outstanding Young Alumna.
Photo by David Gellatly, courtesy of UNC School of Education“From this platform as a superstar athlete, Cindy has coached, mentored, and advocated…. Cindy’s involvement in the lives of young athletes has reached beyond the 50 states. Since 2007, she has been a sports envoy for the U.S. State Department, focusing on sport transcending culture and language; leadership education; AIDS prevention; and coaching education.... Having cited post-concussion syndrome when she retired as a player, Cindy is working to make the game safer for the next generations. Since 2008, in concert with the Sports Legacy Institute, Cindy has helped lead an awareness campaign on the dangers of heading the ball, seeking to delay the practice until players are in high school. In this and so many steps of her life, Cindy has walked the talk of youth development and social responsibility.”Since 2010, Cindy has been involved with Goals for Girls, an international initiative that helps disadvantaged girls across the globe by providing access to health and education programs taught through the game of soccer. Because of Cindy’s role as a spokesperson for Dragonwing, we take special pride in this award. It’s an honor to be affiliated with such a tremendous advocate and mentor for the power of sports to improve the lives of girls.
Happy Birthday Cindy Parlow Cone
Happy birthday to Cindy Parlow Cone, three-time NCAA Women's Soccer Champion and founding member of the Women's United Soccer Association, former head coach for Portland Thorns FC and in her first year as coach in her first year as head coach of the Portland Thorns, led the Thorns to the NWSL Championship. Parlow was a member of the 1996, 2000, and 2004 Olympic, and 1999 and 2003 Women's World Cup, teams. Parlow Cone played professionally for the Atlanta Beat for three years and was the Coaching Director of 13-18 year-old girls' programs at the Triangle United soccer league. Cindy is a co-founder of Goals for Girls. Birthday --May 8th.
Girls Sports Bras for a Cause
We've been amazed by the response to our request for donations of sports bras for girls in India who are part of Goals for Girls' initiative.
But we're just blown away by the efforts of Zoe, a 12-year old, soccer-loving girl from New York state, who took our idea and ran with it. As part of her bat mitzvah preparation, she's collected nearly 100 clean, gently-used sports bras already and is aiming even higher!
The girls' varsity soccer teams of the Fayetteville-Manlius and the Jamesville-Dewitt schools (NY) donated 76 gently-used sports bras to Goals for Girls, helping needy girls stay active. Inspired by Dragonwing girlgear, the donation drive was the project of 12-year-old Zoe C.
We pleased to introduce you to this girl-empowering girl:
How did you hear about the Dragonwing campaign to collect bras for Goals for Girls?
I read about the Dragonwing campaign in Real Simple magazine and thought it would be a great mitzvah project. My Mom and I did some online research and came up with the idea of "Bras for a Cause."
Why did you choose sports bra donations as your bat mitzvah project?
I love soccer, and I want to help other girls stay in the game and not have to stop playing because they don't have the right equipment. Donating a sports bra is something that's really simple that all girls and women can help with. It doesn't involve people spending money; they just have to look through their own drawers.
My grandparents recently traveled to India and we studied India in school, so when I saw that Goals for Girls' next trip was to India, I was even more excited to help.
What's your goal of how many sports bras you'll collect?
At first, my goal was to collect 100 bras, but I've already reached 76 by asking the girls' soccer teams from my area. Now I'm hoping to get at least 200. I've four women's college soccer teams respond to my email request and agree to help me. So now 100 seems too easy.
What sports do you play? What do you like about playing sports?
I play soccer and basketball, and I'm going to try volleyball soon.
I love soccer because I love being part of a team and working together. I like that it's fast paced and things can change quickly. I also love that you get to be aggressive.
The girls' varsity soccer teams of the Fayetteville-Manlius and the Jamesville-Dewitt schools (NY) donated 76 gently-used sports bras to Goals for Girls, helping needy girls stay active. Inspired by Dragonwing girlgear, the donation drive was the project of 12-year-old Zoe C.- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
If you'd like to donate, send your clean, gently-used sports bra(s) -- any size, brand, or color -- to:Goals for Girls/Dragonwing girlgear 510 Meadowmont Village Circle, #188 Chapel Hill, NC 27517
Boxes of Donated Sports Bras for Girls!
Earlier this month, we put out a call for donations of clean, gently-used sports bras for needy girls taking part in Goals for Girls wellness and education programs in India. The response from the Dragonwing girlgear community has been terrific. With each envelope or box that arrives, we are so grateful for and humbled by your generosity.
The remarkable women at Ladies Only Sports, a terrific family-owned business for active women of all shapes and sizes (check them out!), sent a big box of 30 brand new sports bras!
As I've said many times, a girl's sports bra can mean the difference between sitting on the sidelines and being able to play. Each of these donated sports bras empowers a girl to get in -- and stay in -- the game and reap the many benefits that sports participation brings. Thank you, thank you, thank you!
If you'd like to donate, here's the information:
As I've said many times, a girl's sports bra can mean the difference between sitting on the sidelines and being able to play. Each of these donated sports bras empowers a girl to get in -- and stay in -- the game and reap the many benefits that sports participation brings. Thank you, thank you, thank you!
If you'd like to donate, here's the information:
To help, please donate a clean, gently-used sports bra (any size, brand, or color) to: Goals for Girls/Dragonwing 510 Meadowmont Village Circle, #188 Chapel Hill, NC 27517Include your name and email address in the package with the donated bra(s). As a token of our thanks, we'll send you a promo code good for $5 off your next Dragonwing purchase.
Donate a Sports Bra to Goals for Girls
In response to our campaign to raise $25,000 for breast cancer research, members of the Dragonwing community asked if they could donate one of our Limited Edition pink/white Racer Sports Bras to a girl in need.
We're delighted to announce that we've partnered with U.S. soccer great Cindy Parlow Cone and her nonprofit, Goals for Girls, an international initiative of girls helping girls through soccer, to fulfill this vital need. Sports bras are the most-requested item by the girls she works with worldwide. Cindy is planning a trip to India soon, and thanks to the generosity of the Dragonwing family, she'll be taking Racer Seamless Sports Bras to girls there.
It's not too late to donate! Simply CLICK HERE to purchase a special edition Racer Sports Bra, select a size, and select "Yes" in the Donation field.
It's a win-win! Your purchase brings us $10 closer to our goal of $25,000 for breast cancer research AND helps a girl in need.
Since 2007, Goals for Girls has helped disadvantaged girls across the globe by providing access to health and education programs taught through the game of soccer. It gives girls an opportunity to break down cultural and socio-economic barriers to create change through addressing common challenges.
Donate a Sports Bra & Help Keep a Girl in the Game
A sports bra can mean the difference between a girl sitting on the sidelines and being able to play. Without the proper coverage, fit, and support of a sports bra, girls are often too self-conscious or uncomfortable being physically active, so they miss out on the many life- and skill-building benefits – and fun – that sports and athletic activity convey. As a parent, I know that a great sports bra can help give my daughter the opportunity to play her best.
This is especially true for girls in the developing world. That’s why we’ve partnered with our good friends at Goals for Girls to bring sports bras to teen girls in India. Goals for Girls connects girls from different countries and backgrounds with their peers around the world to address social and health challenges through cultural exchange, service, and soccer. Earlier this year, I saw the power of these exchanges when the U15 Women's National Soccer Team from Jordan visited North Carolina.
“Sports bras are our most-needed item," says Cindy Parlow Cone, soccer superstar, coach, and Dragonwing spokesperson. As part of Goals for Girls, she's leading a team of US teen girl soccer players to India in January for a ten-day cultural exchange, including lots of soccer playing.We're hoping to send Cindy and the US Goals for Girls delegation to India with a suitcase full of sports bras, generously donated by the Dragonwing girlgear community.
To help, please donate a clean, gently-used sports bra (any size, brand, or color) to: Goals for Girls/Dragonwing 510 Meadowmont Village Circle, #188 Chapel Hill, NC 27517Include your name and email address in the package with the donated bra(s). As a token of our thanks, we'll send you a promo code good for $5 off your next Dragonwing purchase. Thank you for helping empower girls in sports & in life!
