PISCATAWAY, N.J. – Rutgers women's soccer hosted its second annual Fearless Together fundraiser in partnership with RWJ Barnabas Health on Saturday evening. Nearly 300 fearless guests attended the sold-out event – designed to bring the community together and inspire youth to be brave, proud, strong and fearless together – for a night of food, music, and guest speakers at the Robert Wood Johnson Hospital Courtyard.
"We want to sincerely thank everyone who attended Fearless Together and everyone who has supported the mission along the way," said
Trish DiPaolo. "We had an incredible group of speakers who serve as role models to the youth in our community and beyond.
"We enjoyed hearing the stories about their journeys, the highs, the lows, the moments between and the people who helped guide them along the way. Each speaker provided the audience with incredible and unique takeaways. Our mission is to support the development of mentally resilient girls who will grow to become strong sufficient women and Heather, Meghan, Kenie and Nicky definitely helped us make strides toward this."
The guest speakers included Heather O'Reilly, Olympic Gold Medalist and World Cup Champion of the U.S. Women's National Team, former Scarlet Knight Meghan Cameron, senior defender
Kenie Wright, and Players Development Academy member Nicky Chico.
Cameron helped lead Rutgers to the Sweet 16 of the 2002 NCAA Tournament during her years with the program. In December 2017, Cameron was named to Sporting Kansas City's staff as Assistant Director of Player Personnel, becoming the first female on a technical staff in the MLS. Wright wrapped up her collegiate career this fall with All-Big Ten and All-Region honors ahead of being drafted into the NWSL by Sky Blue FC this January. Chico currently plays on the U18/19 PDA ECNL Blue Team.
Each shared stories of their inspiring journeys and provided words of motivation to young girls and all in attendance.
"The Fearless Together event was such a special night with many great messages that were shared. It was an honor to be able to speak alongside of such great people and help inform young girls to never give up on their dreams," said Wright
"I spoke about rejections and using rejection as a good thing to help you overcome adversity. Everyone experiences rejection it is just a matter of how you use it in your advantage or not. I am lucky enough to be where I am today, but it did not come easy. I wanted to let young girls know to not let anyone define you as a player and if you have a dream you can achieve it with hard work and dedication."
The program also announced its first ever Fearless Trailblazer Award, which is awarded to an individual who uses their strength in the service of their vision, while inspiring and empowering others as they embark on their journey. By definition, Fearless is free from fear, brave. A trailblazer is a pioneer, an innovator, one that blazes a trail to guide others.
This year's recipient was named as the legendary Hall of Fame Coach
C. Vivian Stringer, who has been a pioneer, visionary and leader during her four decades of success on the hardwood. This season, Stringer added a new milestone to her extraordinary resume by eclipsing 1,000 career victories. She became the sixth head coach in NCAA history to join the elite 1,000 career victory club. Stringer also became the first coach in men's or women's basketball history to take three different schools to the Final Four, including two trips for the Scarlet Knights.
The event is a continuation of the Fearless Girl campaign by Rutgers women's soccer. Last year, the Scarlet Knights
hosted the "Fearless Girl" fundraiser in April. Teaming up with Broadway star Mandy Gonzalez, the event, inspired by the Fearless Girl statue on Wall Street, was formed to empower and inspire strong, independent and confident young women to dream big and execute on their dreams.
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