Action
November/December 2007

Making Dreams come True

Every year millions of women are diagnosed with breast cancer or rheumatoid arthritis or simply suffer from traumatic injuries. But these medical setbacks don’t have to dampen the adventurous spirit. In an effort to help women tackle such dreams as climbing Mount Whitney or finishing the New York City Marathon, professional adventure racer Robyn Benincasa and her team of other world-class adventure racers, mountaineers, and ultrarunners have created the Project Athena Foundation.

The goal is to provide women with training, airfare, entry fees, and the necessary equipment to achieve their specific athletic aspiration. “I’d been searching my soul for a way to give back to the outdoor community that has given me so much,” says Robyn. “Project Athena came to me and was born soon after.”

The Project Athena Foundation operates on donations and will financially support as many adventures as donations allow. In addition to offering generous financial backing, the women of the team also offer emotional support. Every member of the team, including Robyn, has suffered from some medical setback, so they understand the determination, the drive, and the passion that inspire female athletes. If you are interested in donating money, applying for a Project Athena Foundation grant, or simply requesting information about the organization, go to www.projectathena.org.

—Erin Nickel