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Today, three-time Olympic medalist and champion swimmer Rebecca Soni announced she is joining the United Nations Foundation’s Girl Up campaign in its “for girls, by girls” movement to improve the lives of the world’s adolescent girls. Poised to break the world record in the women’s 200 meter breaststroke, Soni is competing on the U.S. national team in the 2010 Mutual of Omaha Pan Pacific Championships that begins today in Irvine, Calif.

As a Girl Up champion, Soni will go from shattering world swimming records to mobilizing American girls to raise awareness and funds for United Nations programs that protect, educate and empower the world’s hardest-to-reach girls. Girl Up supporters are encouraged to give a “High Five” to girls in developing countries by donating $5 or more to provide such basic needs as access to school supplies, clean water, life-saving health services, safety from violence and more.

“Through my partnership with Girl Up, I’m excited to encourage American girls to channel their energy and compassion into becoming powerful forces for change in the lives of their peers in developing countries,” said Soni, 23. “Where you are born should not dictate how big you can dream.”

As part of the partnership, Soni will participate in Girl Up’s “Unite for Girls” tour to 14 markets across the nation to energize U.S. girls to take action in support of their counterparts overseas. She will also visit programs Girl Up is supporting overseas that are helping make a difference in the lives of adolescent girls.

“Research has shown that investing in adolescent girls has a ripple effect and strengthens communities, nations and our world, but less than half a cent of every development dollar goes to programs specifically targeting girls,” said Kimberly Perry, the United Nations Foundation’s Girl Up Campaign Director. “We applaud Rebecca’s commitment to Girl Up and to helping girls from across the globe become educated, healthy, safe and counted.”

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About Girl Up
Girl Up, a campaign of the United Nations Foundation, gives American girls the opportunity to channel  their energy and compassion  to raise awareness and funds for programs of the United Nations that help some of the world’s hardest-to-reach adolescent girls. Through Girl Up’s support, girls have the opportunity to become educated, healthy, safe, counted and positioned to be the next generation of leaders. Campaign supporters are encouraged to give a “High Five” to girls in developing countries by donating $5 or more to provide girls with such basic needs as access to school supplies, clean water, life-saving health services, safety from violence and more. To give a High Five and learn more, join us at www.GirlUp.org.

About Rebecca Soni
Since breaking into the scene as an unexpected star of the 2008 U.S. Olympic swimming team, three-time Olympic medalist Rebecca Soni has continued to build on her legend. One of the top breaststrokers in the world, she was named the 2009 Female American Swimmer of the Year. The 23-year-old native of Plainsboro, N.J., recently completed her senior year at the University of Southern California as a communications major, and is now represented by the Wasserman Media Group. Soni is currently training in Los Angeles, Calif. For more information please visit www.RebSoni.com. 

Media Contact:

Yolanda Johnny Taylor, 202-778-1630