About

Have you ever been told you can’t do something because you are a girl? Girls Can’t WHAT? is a web community for women of all ages to share their stories, support and encourage one another to achieve their dreams. Get involved by joining the blog discussion or post your own questions in the Girl Talk forums. If you’ve been there and done that, don’t forget to get the T-shirt!

The next time someone says you “can’t”, respond by saying “Girls Can’t WHAT?” and show the world you CAN!

About Me

Gretchen Cawthon PhotoMy name is Gretchen and I am not your traditional girl. You won’t find me in a dress picking flowers and talking about cute shoes. I am most likely out doing something that someone said couldn’t be done. I was born and raised in small town in Central Illinois and I live about 30 minutes away from there now. I grew up in a neighborhood of all boys (except for my little sister) and I can throw a football and race BMX bikes with the best of them. I played Little League baseball every summer and in the 6th grade I was one of two girls to make the boys basketball team. I played all kinds of sports until my sophomore year of high school when my family was hit by a drunk driver and my back was broken (long story). Shortly after recovering from my injuries, I started playing drums and I never stopped playing. After graduating from high school I went to Millikin University where I graduated with a BS in Music Business.

Today I am married to a great guy, Doug, and we have two awesome daughters named Katelynn and Kirstynn. We also have the best dog in the whole world, a pug named Quest. I still play drums and am currently in an all-girl band called Amplified417. Besides drumming, I like to work out, swim, play basketball, read and play on the computer. This web site is my full-time job. I also volunteer as a youth and children’s leader at my church.

I want to welcome you to Girls Can’t WHAT! Make yourself at home here. Tell us about your accomplishments, inspiring books you’ve read, places you’ve been and what fuels your passion. You will soon discover there are many other women here that hold your same interests and frustrations. Get to know them, share your stories and work out solutions together. Everyone is here for a reason. Simply register and once your account is approved, you can begin building your own personal support network. Join the fastest growing women’s network on the web!

I hope you are enjoying your visit to Girls Can’t WHAT? and will return soon for more inspirational stories and interviews. I am always looking for ways to improve Girls Can’t WHAT? and offer unique ways to help you succeed in reaching your dreams. Your feedback is greatly appreciated!

Comments

47 Responses to “About”

  1. Jodi on February 14th, 2006 11:23 am
    Gravatar

    I like your site…very great concept and one that is much needed in the world today. Anyway, I just had to write and say hi…it’s not every day you come across someone with similar life paths. (At least not for me!)

  2. Viv Ilo on February 20th, 2006 4:53 pm
    Gravatar

    Hey Gretchen! Nice to hear what you are up to! I just rejoined GtD_Palm recently – well took it off “no email” and am mostly lurking. Your new website looks great! I am forwarding it to my nieces. What a great idea!!

  3. vetgirl on March 1st, 2006 6:28 am
    Gravatar

    Ok. You’re cooler than I thought - you made sciencedaily.com!

    e :)

  4. Richard Brown on March 3rd, 2006 8:23 am
    Gravatar

    The site is looking excellent. I really like it and I am glad folks are joining. I will be passing details of the site to our youth for them to take a look.

    Many thanks.

    Rich

  5. Freya on March 18th, 2006 7:47 pm
    Gravatar

    I was wondering what age group you ment this website to be in. I’m 12 and I love it!!
    Thanks for what you do,
    Freya

  6. gretchen on March 19th, 2006 1:47 pm
    Gravatar

    Freya - this site is for girls of all ages! Glad you liked it!

  7. Jacques on March 30th, 2006 6:00 pm
    Gravatar

    I clicked on girlscantwhat just to get a glimpse : i’ve spent one hour, collected a lot of thoughts (even translated/rewrote some in french) : one of my best enlighting web moments for long ! “Un enchantement”.

    BTW : the site is very well thought, I apreciate the work behind :)

    Jacques
    from Paris
    (sorry : a man)

  8. Anita on May 20th, 2006 2:31 pm
    Gravatar

    Hi Gretchen. I found your site from the link you provided for something on the datebk6 list. What great content you have!! Nice layout too–very easy to get around and to see what is here. I just finished reading the Amy Grant article and looking at some humor and T-shirts as well as browsing Home. I’ll be back.

  9. Christine Kane on June 20th, 2006 5:05 am
    Gravatar

    I went to your site first just because of the name…
    I loved your blogs too!

    thanks so much! I’ll stay in touch. (I already bookmarked your site…)

  10. Roni on June 21st, 2006 11:57 am
    Gravatar

    I’m putting in a request for a math or science “girls can’t what?” I love your logos!!!!!!!!!

  11. duma garau on August 17th, 2006 4:06 am
    Gravatar

    hi! this is Duma, a mexican girl married with an italian guy. I am actually living in Italy. I was looking for more information about community builder and I read one of your comments on www.joomlapolis.com. Then I saw your profile and found your website…I made the registration and I’m writting it for your just to say: “congratulations”I have read the “about” section and you are totally right… you know me a little just as you said! I found your web site just an amazing experience! have a GGRREEEat day!

  12. Steve Nguyen on August 26th, 2006 9:56 pm
    Gravatar

    Gretchen: I want to say Thank You for creating something that empowers young girls. As a mental health counselor (and currently a Behavior Specialist), an avid volleyball player, and a “guy” I sometimes see and hear people (including women) say that this or that girl can’t do this or that because they are girls! I also did a small blog on my website, www.stevenguyenonline.com.

  13. Frances Scott on September 9th, 2006 12:46 pm
    Gravatar

    Hey Gretchen! I just felt compelled to let you know how much I’m lovin your site! I was working tonight, and looking through the Joomla forums when I came across a link to your site. What an awesome idea for a website… very inspirational. I will definitely be back very soon :-) but for now… it’s back to work LOL!

  14. Tammy Emam on October 19th, 2006 11:18 am
    Gravatar

    Gretchen, I “know” you from the pdbk user group. Just visited your
    excellent web site, I am going to send the link to a couple friends who have
    daughters - what a wonderful idea - nice work!

    Tammy

  15. JoeJoomla on December 19th, 2006 2:54 pm
    Gravatar

    Dear Gretchen,

    I am a big fan of yours. Your site looks awesome. I think it is great what you do for girls everywhere. May your site and vision prosper!

    JoeJoomla

  16. Belfast Dave on December 20th, 2006 4:05 pm
    Gravatar

    Gretchen,
    Great site and a super inspiration!

  17. Amy Stephen on January 16th, 2007 9:51 am
    Gravatar

    This is fabulous and beautiful. Your artisitic abilities are really taking off!

  18. Biker Betty on January 30th, 2007 2:07 pm
    Gravatar

    This is a great website. I’m enjoying your posts. Keep up the good work.

  19. Becky on January 30th, 2007 6:52 pm
    Gravatar

    Rock on:)

    ~Becky

  20. Kel1 on February 1st, 2007 12:10 am
    Gravatar

    I am your number one fan! :D Can I have your autograph?

  21. gretchen on February 1st, 2007 7:23 am
    Gravatar

    My autograph? Are you kidding? I am such a geek that I don’t even remember how to handwrite anything! How about an electronic one…

    ~*~ G R E T C H E N ~*~ :D

  22. Lisa on February 1st, 2007 4:59 pm
    Gravatar

    Is there any way you can make a shirt with a girl playing the saxophone? That would be awesome!

  23. gretchen on February 1st, 2007 5:06 pm
    Gravatar

    Lisa - it’s on my list! I’ll try to work on that one next week. I played trombone in High School Band (first chair, too) so I will do a trombone player, too.

  24. katelynn cawthon on February 1st, 2007 5:34 pm
    Gravatar

    yo yo! you r my favorite mom with the coolest web n the world!
    - a.k.a. your daughter

  25. Jeremy on February 15th, 2007 1:23 pm
    Gravatar

    great great great idea !!!!! girls cant what? wow awsome awsome…. theres alota money to be made with that idea alone … keep it up ;o)!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  26. Eileen on April 10th, 2007 5:38 pm
    Gravatar

    Hi Gretchen!

    Your site is hopping! Great to see other girls venturing into new territories!

    As for me, well, when I started climbing, my two girlfriends and I would get stares of near disbelief when we arrived at a crag and started climbing on our own.

    Now I’d say I meet another girl climber nearly every trip out to local crags and every single time on longer trips. We’ve all come a long way baby!

    ~ Eileen
    http://www.rockgrrl.com

  27. gretchen on April 10th, 2007 9:25 pm
    Gravatar

    Eileen - great site! I will have to write more about it soon. Rock climbing is definitely on my list of designs for this year. Thanks for stopping by. I will have the forums up in a day or two, so feel free to start a thread on rock climbing. ;)

  28. Katelyn on April 17th, 2007 12:27 pm
    Gravatar

    Hi Gretchen!
    This is a great site! Thank you for it. I love your band too! This is inspirational. I had a band for a while too…but now playing solo myspace.com/maiermusic

  29. Ronella Murphy - Gaugh on April 22nd, 2007 10:46 pm
    Gravatar

    Love the website! You should come up with a design about women owning a business! As a self-employeed woman I get that comment all the time that I can’t be a “stay-at-home mom” that has a business too! Why that would outrageous. To them I say “All things are possible if you have Jesus on your side.”

  30. dee on May 24th, 2007 10:19 pm
    Gravatar

    Liking the website. I found it through CafePress when I was looking for Geek Girl stickers to put on my new laptop. Keep fighting the good fight, letting everyone know that there’s nothing we can’t do! :)

  31. gretchen on May 24th, 2007 10:23 pm
    Gravatar

    Thanks Dee - come back and visit any time! :)

  32. Talia Mana on August 27th, 2007 1:34 am
    Gravatar

    Great website, interesting posts, and I love the blog design too.

    Visiting from blogging chicks !

  33. cherry088 on November 29th, 2007 4:04 pm
    Gravatar

    I love this site. I have friends who think that I’m weird cause I love to mud ride, but that’s who I am and who I’ll be. I’m just saying to everyone out there this site is awesome. And to all the girls out there don’t let anyone tell who you can’t be, put your mind too it.:)>-

  34. MileyCyrusFan2008 on January 8th, 2008 9:00 pm
    Gravatar

    what the heck is blogging chicks :-?

  35. thinkpink on January 18th, 2008 11:00 am
    Gravatar

    I am the mother of 2 girls. They are very independent and I do believe that they can do anything but, they still LOVE PINK! I have been searching this site high and low and I just don’t find enough PINK. My girls adore anything in pink. I would have loved to order some things from your site for them but there is not enough pink. One more suggestion. You have 2 choices of color either light or dark. My girls are not really either extreme. I know you can not cover the entire color spectrum but something in between would be nice.

  36. Stormy on February 19th, 2008 4:37 pm
    Gravatar

    I came across your site by accident and I love it! I am the owner of a women’s professional football team in Modesto, CA and most of the women that play for me have stories like yours.

    This is one of the best sites I’ve found in a while! Keep up the good work!

  37. greencatcher98 on February 20th, 2008 8:05 pm
    Gravatar

    dear gretchan
    trust i love sports i have been playing them since i was born. my dads a football coach and i love it i have a brother and a AWESOME mom and dad and family. i just came to this site its awesome though already. i have moved to a new school and i have alot of sports there and let me tell ya there fun and we are good my dads the coach though bye

  38. greencatcher98 on February 20th, 2008 8:17 pm
    Gravatar

    ps please right back to e love abby

  39. greencatcher98 on February 20th, 2008 8:27 pm
    Gravatar

    dear gretchan,
    do you no how boys say like girls are bad at this girls are bad at that well i have been picked on like that and i dont like it and im am not trying to be rude or anything but im pretty good at all of the sports i play basketball softball and other sports and some boys say you stink at basketball and we could be your team but that makes me feel bad becaause i am working my hardest at every sport:)>-:-c:):)

  40. greencatcher98 on February 20th, 2008 8:28 pm
    Gravatar

    please right back i love your website it is so so cool i love it:x:x:x:x:x:x:x:x:x

  41. gretchen on February 21st, 2008 11:52 pm
    Gravatar

    Thanks for the compliments. Sounds like you’re abusy girl. If you want ot chat more, check out the girl talk forums. )

  42. mary katherine on March 27th, 2008 10:12 am
    Gravatar

    Stumbled upon your site when looking for a quote by Annie Oakley. I am working on a new collage about women that includes Annie Oakley, Marilyn Monroe and a Pakistani women wearing a niqad (covering with only a slit for the eyes). When I was in high school in the early 70’s my aunt that is 12 years older than me gave me a book called Girls Are Equal Too. I still have that book. It never occured to me that I could not do anything I wanted to. I teach art in high school and I love my strong wonderful young women that have so much life ahead of them. They make me proud to be a girl.

  43. gretchen on March 27th, 2008 10:36 am
    Gravatar

    Thanks Mary - I’d love to see a photo of that collage when it’s ready! :)

  44. Katrina on March 29th, 2008 4:40 pm
    Gravatar

    Hi Gretchen,
    The short half of my story is I had two teachers in middle school who said I would be one of “those kids” who did nothing. Mr S said I would never reach college prep math b/c it wasn’t a girl thing. Mrs O said I’d never write “anything worthwhile.” I’m in college now and I still hear those claims. Granted, I’m genetically not gifted at math, but I made it to college-level precalc as a freshman. My fiction was published in the high school magazine and now I have a wonderful mentor helping me find an editor for a manuscript I wrote. They tried to have me doubt myself for their own shortcomings, but I see through them now. Your site is the whipped cream on mint chocolate chip ice cream!

  45. Staci on March 29th, 2008 6:03 pm
    Gravatar

    Love “Girls Can’t What?” My husband is a firefighter and our 3 daughters seem to be following in his foot steps so far. So needless to say, we will be shopping on this sight for next Christmas.

  46. gretchen on March 29th, 2008 11:02 pm
    Gravatar

    Thanks Katrina and Staci! I appreciate the encouragement. :D

  47. punkrokcerprincess on April 19th, 2008 12:52 pm
    Gravatar

    Wow! I never knew the owner was a tomboy!I am so happy!I thought this site was meant for posting girly things,but I was wrong.You are awesome!:d

Leave a Reply