Empowering the Future: Omaha Suburban Rotary’s Commitment to Girls Through Ironhawk Juniors Triathlon,
By Steve Scheuber
The Omaha Suburban Rotary club has long been a proud advocate for the empowerment of girls and women, aligning closely with Rotary International's mission to make a positive impact on communities worldwide. Over the past two years, one of the club’s most inspiring and impactful initiatives has been its sponsorship of the Ironhawk Juniors Triathlon—a transformative event that not only celebrates physical fitness but fosters personal growth, resilience, and kindness in young girls.
A Triathlon for Girls, By Girls
The Ironhawk Juniors Triathlon, held each summer since 2018, is more than just a race—it’s an empowering experience for girls aged 7-14 no matter their economic status. This free, multi-week training program is designed to teach the fundamentals of swimming, biking, and running, while instilling life-changing values like teamwork, perseverance, and respect. Since 2018, the program’s impact in the Omaha Nebraska-Council Bluffs Iowa Metro area has reached over 900 Juniors. When Juniors have a need, Ironhawk Juniors provides any necessary equipment to allow everyone to participate. The program is limited to 230 girls so that it can provide individual training and smaller groups that allow the Juniors to become fast friends. Since 2018, Ironhawk Juniors has provided for free more than 150 swimsuits, 1,000 pairs of goggles, 350 bikes, 500 helmets, 200 pairs of shoes, and countless weekly snacks.
The Power of Practice: A Journey to the Finish Line
Each week in June and July, approximately 200 young girls gather to train, sweat, and learn alongside volunteer coaches. They push themselves in the pool, on the bike trail, and along the running paths, as they prepare for the ultimate test of endurance—the Ironhawk Juniors Triathlon. Whether they’re learning how to swim or mastering bike handling skills, these girls develop both physical and emotional resilience that will serve them for years to come.
The program culminates on event day where participants demonstrate their skills in a safe, encouraging environment, supported by hundreds of volunteers. The triathlon’s event distances are specifically designed to challenge the participants based on their age groups, allowing for an exciting yet attainable triathlon experience.
For Ages 7-10:
· 100 yards swim
· 3-mile bike
· 0.75-mile run
For Ages 11-14:
· 200 yards swim
· 6-mile bike
· 1.5-mile run
A Focus on Empowerment and Kindness
While the Ironhawk Juniors Triathlon is about fitness, the true heart of the event lies in its emphasis on empowerment and personal growth. Each girl who crosses the finish line is celebrated—not just for their athleticism, but for their commitment to each other and to the program’s core values of kindness, encouragement, and perseverance.
As part of Rotary International's commitment to empowering women and girls, the Omaha Suburban Rotary club has played a key role in sponsoring the triathlon, ensuring that this life-changing program is accessible to all girls, regardless of their background or financial situation. Through this sponsorship, Rotary members around the world can see firsthand the profound difference that supporting local initiatives can have on the global goal of empowering girls.
A Lasting Impact
For the girls of Ironhawk Juniors, the triathlon is a steppingstone to greater self-confidence and a lifelong love of fitness. But beyond the race, the program helps build a stronger, more supportive community. Participants form lasting friendships, support one another through challenges, and develop a sense of belonging that extends far beyond the event itself.
According to Erin Sullivan, co-founder and president of Ironhawk Juniors, their ability to provide equipment to their Juniors and give them the resources to be active and confident is a key part of their program, which makes them very appreciative of Rotary’s support. She proudly reflects on Ironhawk Juniors’ accomplishments:
- “We have taught countless girls how to swim and how to ride a bike. Seeing our Juniors return to our program, new girls joining the program, and returnees bringing their friends is a measurement of our success. Those who cross the finish line become the cheerleaders for their new friends. This is a non-competitive program. Everyone is a winner – not only in the completion of a triathlon but with the enhanced values associated with learning teamwork, being kind, and the wonderful feeling of accomplishing a new goal.”
Roxy Orr, Past District Governor for Rotary District 5650, explains her love for the event:
- “As former Zone 29 ambassador for Empowering Girls I’m extremely proud that my club is a financial sponsor and participant in Ironhawk Juniors. It’s truly inspiring to watch young girls, 7-14 years old, participate in and complete a triathlon—something many adults have never accomplished. During the event, volunteers line the entire racecourse and cheer for participants as well as celebrate with every finisher at the end. It’s also common for faster finishers to complete the event only to run back and support friends who have yet to finish. It’s an amazing event and I love Suburban Rotary’s participation in this event.”
As members of Rotary International, we all have a role to play in advancing the rights, opportunities, and well-being of girls worldwide. The Omaha Suburban Rotary club’s sponsorship of Ironhawk Juniors is just one example of how we can make a tangible difference in the lives of young women, fostering leadership, resilience, and empowerment for future generations.
Join the Movement
As we continue to champion the advancement of girls through our Rotary clubs and initiatives, the Ironhawk Juniors Triathlon stands as a shining example of how our collective efforts can inspire, encourage, and empower. We invite Rotary members worldwide to explore ways they can support similar initiatives in their own communities, advancing the cause of women and girls with each passing year.
Read more about Ironhawk Juniors at https://ironhawkjuniors.org/
