Press Release June 3, 1998

Donna Shalala leads the girls to the finish line in preparation for Saturday's Avon Running - New York Mini Marathon.

Cabinet Member Shalala Teams Up With Avon Products to Promote Fitness to Team.

A participatory fitness clinic was hosted by Avon Products, Inc., designed to encourage young girls to use a regular running and walking program to develop health, fitness and self-esteem. Andrea Jung, Avon President was on hand to welcome our guests from the schools, the city and the media.

After a welcome from Secretary Shalala, both Grete Waitz and Kathrine Switzer led the girls and guests through group stretching exercises and a brief mock run through the finish line of this weekend's Mini Marathon.

The only rule was that Shalala had to be able to "WIN".

Secretary Shalala considers the Avon Running program a platform to discuss "Girl Power!" -- her national public education campaign designed to encourage and empower 9-14 year old girls to make the most of their lives through sports, arts and academic endeavors. The girls were each given a free entry for themselves and their mothers to this Saturday's Avon Running - New York event.

Grete Waitz and Kathrine Switzer pose with 70 New York school girls before clinic with Secretary Shalala	Donna Shalala tells the girls that the President sent her to NY for this clinic to tell them to strive to become President of the United States.
Andrea Jung and Donna Shalala (center) join in the warm-up stretching.	Switzer, Jung, Shalala and Waitz are surrounded with the lucky attendees.