GRLZ Radio: allowing young women to be heard and respected

Twelve years ago, a group of high school girls from Dorchester was driving to a soccer game with their coach. According to the story that has since been handed down, the radio was blasting songs with lyrics that were degrading to women. The girls were disgusted and became quite upset. The coach — who was also a youth worker — asked them what was wrong. They responded, "We are sick of the music on the radio! It is ridiculous, and the songs are so bad and horrible!"

Listening to their concerns the coach asked, "What would you guys do if you could do something about it?" Together they devised a plan to make their own radio station, host their own shows, and play the music they liked. He took the initiative to pursue his connections, and eventually pitched the idea to (then) Mayor Thomas Menino. The mayor loved the idea, and with his help GRLZ Radio was born.