Two Powerful Milestones, One Unforgettable Morning: 7th Annual WIT 5K Meets the International Day of the Girl Child Festival
Updated: 4 hours ago
By Rosanna Brewton
Mark your calendars for a historic celebration! On Sunday, October 11, 2026, Women In Training, Inc. is uniting two of its biggest annual gatherings into one high-energy event on the grounds of the Alabama Shakespeare Festival at 1 Festival Drive in Montgomery, Alabama.
By pairing the 7th Annual WIT 5K Run & Fun Walk with the WIT International Day of the Girl Child Festival, our community will move together, learn together, and uplift girls locally and across the globe:
Run & Fun Walk: 8:00 AM CST
Multicultural Festival: 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM CST
Location: Alabama Shakespeare Festival Amphitheater
Registration & Route Info: RunSignUp
Support Our Mission: Make a Direct Donation
The Mission Behind the Miles
Every mile walked and every dollar raised help fuel WIT's mission: Ending Poverty. PERIOD!
Join us at the Alabama Shakespeare Festival on Sunday, October 11, 2026, for a morning of movement, advocacy, and sisterhood.
Across the nation, one in four menstruating youth miss crucial school instruction or work shifts simply because they lack access to pads, tampons, and essential hygiene care. WIT was founded to ensure that menstruation is never an obstacle to education, self-worth, or athletic and extracurricular achievement.
"As Chairwoman of the Women in Training 5K, I am honored to support a mission that extends far beyond the finish line. This race represents our collective commitment to empowering women and girls, strengthening our communities, and investing in the health and well-being of future generations," emphasizes Command Chief Master Sergeant Mataya C. Williams, Women in Training, Inc. Chairwoman-Elect and 5K Chairwoman. "Every step we take is a reminder that when we come together with purpose, we can create lasting change. It is not simply about crossing the finish line; it is about the lives we touch, the barriers we break, and the legacy we leave behind."
Ms. Tara Campbell of 2A Fitness will lead the warm-up exercise before the race and walk kicks off.
Whether you are an experienced runner chasing a personal record, a family enjoying a morning stroll, or a virtual participant walking in your own neighborhood, every step packs a punch.
International Day of the Girl Child: Voices of Justice & Global Unity
At 10:00 a.m., the racecourse turns into a cultural hub as the WIT International Day of the Girl Child Festival begins. Celebrated globally on October 11, the United Nations Day focuses attention on the unique challenges girls encounter, while mobilizing action for their fundamental rights and leadership.
"This festival is where the heartbeat of our youth connects with global traditions," said Oloye Adeyela Bennett, WIT President and CEO. "We are showing girls that their voices carry across borders and carry the power to reshape the future."
Dancers from Shivalaya School of Indian Classical Dance, directed by Ms. Sudha Raghuram, will perform Bharatanatyam, a classical dance from India.
Greeting guests and leading our young participants are WIT Ambassadors Kacie Caldwell and Carrington Scott, embodying the dedication, poise, and leadership WIT cultivates in tomorrow's changemakers.
In preparation for International Day of the Girl Child and the overall WIT Leadership Development Academy mission of becoming global citizens, WIT Monarchs in grades 5 through 12 researched challenges, differences, and similarities of girls their age in various countries. The girls also pledged to use their voices to help in this community. This project is the brainchild of Ms. Geneva Watford.
Dr. Beverly Hill, WIT Vice Chairwoman for Youth Development, guided the Monarchs in implementing the project.
Dr. Hill helped to identify the following Monarchs to speak about their country projects at the event: Destiny Padgett, Na'Ziah Harris, Veronica Provo and Ana Lira.
Thank Our Sponsors
We extend our sincere gratitude to our generous sponsors. Their investment in girls make our WITKITS menstrual hygiene distributions, menstrual education, and WIT Leadership Development Academy programs possible.
Presenting Sponsor, Yellowhammer Fund; Ms. Jenice Fountain, Executive Director.
Other sponsors include Prime IV Hydration and Wellness
City of Montgomery Department of Cultural Affairs; Dr. Jennifer D. Dobbs, Director
Alabama Shakespeare Festival
Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Montgomery (AL) Alumnae Chapter
Publications Press
Provitt Prints
Roots Allure, 2A Fitness and Mimi Johnson, EdD, are also 5K sponsors.
Childhood by Choice is a special sponsor and presenter. Dr. Himanshu Aggarwal, former Emcee for the WIT International Day of the Girl Child Festival, provided their sponsorship.
Spotlighting Youth Leadership: Childhood by Choice
One of the most anticipated moments of this year's festival is an educational presentation titled "A Child, a Choice."
The session is hosted by Childhood by Choice, a remarkable, independent, youth-led nonprofit organization dedicated to confronting child marriage and combating the pervasive horrors of human trafficking and child exploitation.
Childhood by Choice leaders Anya Aggarwal, Pratha Patel, and Mahi Patel
Founded and spearheaded by Anya Aggarwal, Pratha Patel, and Mahi Patel, all accomplished students at LAMP High School, Childhood by Choice proves that young women do not have to wait until adulthood to lead significant human rights campaigns.
"Every child matters, you had a choice, and the child deserves one too." — Anya Aggarwal, Pratha Patel, and Mahi Patel.
Attendees will gain a vital perspective on how local communities can recognize signs of child exploitation, advocate for policy protections, and safeguard bodily autonomy for youth everywhere.
How You Can Take Action Today
Register for the 7th Annual WIT 5K Run & Fun Walk: Join us in person at ASF or run virtually from anywhere in the world! Register at the WIT 5K RunSignUp portal.
Support the WITKITS® Menstrual Hygiene Campaign: Can't attend on race day? You can sponsor hygiene kits directly via the WIT Donation Portal.
Attend the Festival: Bring friends, family, and classmates to the Alabama Shakespeare Festival grounds at 10:00 a.m. for international music, inspiring talks, food, and community celebration!
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