On April 29, Cornwall resident Kim Quimby was among the six to be inducted into the Cornwall Wall of Fame. The induction ceremony was held at Falkirk Estate and Country Club in Central Valley.
“I was so honored but so uncomfortable with it,” said Quimby, a member of the 1993 graduating class. “I’m more of the behind the scenes gal, so to be recognized for the work that I do at Girls on the Run, it was a complete honor.”
As part of the 2016 inductees, Quimby joins General David Petraeus and the late Chick Sciple Cooper, Dr. David and Dolce Dorfman, and Jeanne Schaffer Theis. It wasn’t until she read the biographies of the other inductees that she realized the importance of the honor.
“These are some great individuals who have done some amazing things,” Quimby said. “So to be in the same pool with them just made the award seem even more special.”
Nominating Quimby was Girls on the Run board member, Kristine Burich. The two have been friends and running buddies for years. When Quimby first came up with the idea of starting a Hudson Valley chapter, Burich was the first to step up to lend support.
On the night of the gala, Quimby said she received a lot of love from everybody and was introduced to community members she had never met. Leading up to the event, Quimby admits she was nervous, unsure what she would say to the public.
In her speech, Quimby spoke about the program, which has grown from 20 girls in 2012 to over 850 in the current spring season. Since inception, over 3,000 have participated in Girls on the Run.
“I told them about how the peer pressure and societal pressure all lead to the girls shutting down and it’s starting earlier and earlier. It’s starting in middle school studies are showing. That has to change. We have to build up these stronger girls. They are just bombareded with this unrealistic and unattainable images of beauty which really affect their self esteem.”
When Quimby started Girls on the Run four years ago, she was still working in corporate communications. The program was just a side job. Due to its unexpected growth, Quimby has made it her full-time job.
During the reception, Quimby received a plaque indicating her induction.
“It’s surreal. I’m just a mom trying to build up strong girls.”
