About Girls Can’t WHAT?
Ever been told you can’t because you’re a girl?
Girls Can’t WHAT? was born shortly after I was told by my former business partner that women can’t do web design. Realizing the need for empowering gifts for girls, I quit my marketing job and built girlscantwhat.com from the ground up in 2005 with no money and very little computer experience.
Today, Girls Can’t WHAT? is a thriving business that recognizes artists around the world by offering a huge variety of “girl power” gifts for girls of all ages, including my signature Girls Can’t WHAT? brand. To pay it forward, Girls Can’t WHAT? donates 20% of its profits to help other women reach their dreams.
But women can’t do web design…
Yeah, right. This site was built from scratch and I did 100% of the work including all of the coding and graphic design. It has received a lot of attention and I get frequent requests from others to help improve their sites. The web-development knowledge and experience I gained in building this site blossomed into a full-time career and my web design company is typically booked up months in advance.
Don’t tell me I can’t.
About the artist
My 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.
Growing up in a neighborhood of all boys (except for my little sister), I learned to 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. During high school I was in a car accident and the doctors said I would never walk again. I proved them wrong. My first year of college was also a challenging experience as the only female percussion major in a field dominated by guys. I know what it’s like to be told I can’t do something because I’m a girl.
My childhood experiences prompted me to create the Girls Can’t WHAT? website in 2005. It is here I share my personal experiences along with amazing stories and interviews from some truly inspirational women. Together, our purpose is to encourage women to pursue their dreams no matter what roadblocks they may encounter.
When not creating new material and products for Girls Can’t WHAT? I can be found working on freelance graphic and web design, drumming in my band, Four Wall Flight, or spending time with my husband, Doug; our two daughters, Katelynn and Kirstynn; and our Boston Terrier, Lola.
If you’re looking for press photos or media information about Girls Can’t WHAT?, please visit the press kit page or contact me to schedule an interview.
Jodi
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!)
Viv Ilo
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!!
duma garau
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 http://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!
Steve Nguyen
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, http://www.stevenguyenonline.com.
Tammy Emam
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
JoeJoomla
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
Belfast Dave
Gretchen,
Great site and a super inspiration!
Frances Scott
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!
Roni
I’m putting in a request for a math or science “girls can’t what?” I love your logos!!!!!!!!!
Christine Kane
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…)
Anita
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.
Jacques
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)
Freya
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
gretchen
Freya – this site is for girls of all ages! Glad you liked it!
Richard Brown
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
vetgirl
Ok. You’re cooler than I thought – you made sciencedaily.com!
e
Amy Stephen
This is fabulous and beautiful. Your artisitic abilities are really taking off!
Biker Betty
This is a great website. I’m enjoying your posts. Keep up the good work.
Becky
Rock on:)
~Becky
Kel1
I am your number one fan!
Can I have your autograph?
gretchen
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 ~*~
Lisa
Is there any way you can make a shirt with a girl playing the saxophone? That would be awesome!
gretchen
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.
katelynn cawthon
yo yo! you r my favorite mom with the coolest web n the world!
– a.k.a. your daughter
Jeremy
great great great idea !!!!! girls cant what? wow awsome awsome…. theres alota money to be made with that idea alone … keep it up ;o)!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Eileen
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
gretchen
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.
Katelyn
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
Ronella Murphy - Gaugh
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.”
dee
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!
gretchen
Thanks Dee – come back and visit any time!
Talia Mana
Great website, interesting posts, and I love the blog design too.
Visiting from blogging chicks !
cherry088
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.:)>-
MileyCyrusFan2008
what the heck is blogging chicks
thinkpink
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.
Stormy
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!
greencatcher98
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
greencatcher98
ps please right back to e love abby
greencatcher98
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
greencatcher98
please right back i love your website it is so so cool i love it:x:x:x:x:x:x:x:x:x
gretchen
Thanks for the compliments. Sounds like you’re a busy girl. If you want to chat more, check out the girl talk forums. )
mary katherine
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.
gretchen
Thanks Mary – I’d love to see a photo of that collage when it’s ready!
Katrina
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!
Staci
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.
gretchen
Thanks Katrina and Staci! I appreciate the encouragement.
punkrokcerprincess
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
Jenn
Thanks so much for this website! i stumbled across it when looking up Korey Cooper (a girl who really has done awesome things and is so inspiring.) i can relate to all the girls who have been told they can’t do stuff cause they’re girls. i’m almost 17 and have played guitar for more than 3 years, and all along the way, there have been ppl who try to bring me down, and there are ppl who have stood by me and my dreams. i believe girls can do anything they put their minds to!!!!
gretchen
Thanks for stopping by Jenn! I was just listening to Skillet this morning on my way to the gym. Korey and Lori are both amazing!
Sleepy
this is the coolest thing ever. I love to play football with my neighbor but he never lets me play with all the boys at school. he always picks me first and he said i could join a boy football team but all guy football teams are the same they don’t let any girls play!! I felt bad but i found this web site and i am loving it i have had more encouragement from this then from my neighbor!!
Thanks a ton g2g bye
Sleepy
Thank you so much Gretchen you have helped me so much with encouragment!!!!
sleepy101
Hi everyone peace out and save the trees and recycle!! DON’T FORGET IT!!!!!!!!:d/:)>-=))@-)
sleepy101
Hey Gretchen!! Thanks for all you do. i love the site but i don’t see enough tackle football equipment! I would LOVE it if you would add that!!
OR rugby!! Oh and questions: Is the equipment free? ANd do you have a store? if you don’t get one in the Universtiy Mall in Utah!! BECUASE UTAH ROCKS!! Peace out!!
Sleepy
does anyone ever do anything i mean no one adds things on if you just need a topic do sports or boys or pets
gretchen
Sleepy – check out the forums…you can start a topic or join in on any of the conversations…
http://www.girlscantwhat.com/forums/
bobrox
gretchen
Thanks! Yes – I am working on some community features that will make this site more like facebook or myspace. I expect to have them ready in the next month or so. For now, feel free to socialize in the Girl Talk forums.
bobrox
your welcome but how about you make it so that we can have a profile like myspace or so that way we can have like a backround and have pictures and have comments about our profile
gretchen
I’m hoping to have that functionality available in a few weeks.
bobrox
thats great it will be so cool to have something like that on here plus i really like this website it is sooooo interesting and i am hoping my dad will get me the t – shirts for my b-day:d/
Sleepy
ok hey has any girls been on a guy football team?
If so how did you do it and did they let you play and stuff like that:)
>”> kerby
bobrox
yrah but they didnt get to play because the choach was being a fat dick so he banned them from playing in the games they only got to practice
Sleepy
that is so stupid girls should be able to play in the games!!!!!!!!
bobrox
i know but the stupid coah is like sexist or whatever i think we need a new coach:-\”
gretchen
Hey – would you mind taking your conversation over to the forums. It doesn’t really apply to this post. Thanks.
bobrox
yeah ok sure
Stacey
Hey i’m doind a school project on how the media effects teenage girls and i’ve chosen to do self confidence and feeling you can ‘do it’. I was wondering if you had any really good examples of media which make girls feel second best to guys and think they can’t do it.
gretchen
Stacey – try posting a message in the forums and see what kind of response you get. When I return from vacation, maybe I can generate a post to get some feedback.
jessie09
Does the rules change for me just because im a girl wanting to be on the boys wrestling team this winter????
gretchen
I don’t think the rules should change when a girl joins the team. That would defeat the purpose. If a girl plays, it should be under the same rules and guidelines as her male teammates.
bobrox
hey!!!!!! you should make the profiles like the myspoace profiles
gretchen
That functionality is forthcoming. I do intend to add social networking options very soon. I have been working on it, but it’s not quite ready yet.
Mia Hernandez
I love what you are doing. Are you located in the NY area? Keep up the good work. Please e-mail me.
gretchen
Hi Mia – I’m not in New York, but I visited there last summer.
I live in Illinois.
erica
hey, i love ur website! i liked reading the expirences that girls have gone through and see how they succeed! Your story was really cool because it reminds me of mine. I have two brothers. I rode quadrunners with my dad and brothers, played softball, rode horses and stuff like that. I love football and have spent the past 3 years as manager of the varsity team at my high school! I like being the only girl and proving that i can do stuff that only guys are supposed to be capable of. These past few weeks i even tried out for the track and field team. Everyone told me i wasn’t strong enough and that disus and shot put were for guys. I tried out anyway and made the team last friday! It was the best feeling in the world. I just wanted to let you know how much i appreciate you making this site! it is such an ispiration to young girls and women everywhere! Thanks!!!!:)
gretchen
Thanks Erica – it’s stories like yours that make this site rock! Thanks for sharing.
Chunga
Your site is awesome..>I have one question… How do I upload a picture on here?:d
Tracey
Excellent site.
kc
I am the only girl percussionist in my highschool, i fly planes, and I want to be a cop. So I really enjoy this website. Thanks alot, you inspire me. :]
Bianca
Congratulations! I’m very happy about this site and I’ll notice my friends too
moncia
hey congrats lolz i have a lil similar story except i play on the boys football team and i do right now… i play on defensive line right now but will prob be a reciever next year… wanna be the 1 in the NFL but congrats on ur success lolz
Pat
There is, at least, one thing girls can’t (or shouldn’t) do… Girls can’t use the Men’s Room. Other than that, gender doesn’t matter! I’ve often thought US women should be required to sign up for the draft when they turn 18 years of age, just like men of the US. What’s the difference?
Yes, I am male. Maybe I should start a site: guyscantwhat.com ?
Gretchen, I am sorry you have experienced such hardship though your life. Frankly, if you step back and look at the bigger picture, women of today have it MUCH better than in the past, even before you were a twinkle in your mother’s eye. Muslim women, women of some oriental heritage, and others are still far more oppressed than Illinois!
Good luck with your endeavors!
gretchen
Pat – I do look at the big picture and we women may be making progress but I don’t think anyone would say we have arrived in equality to men just yet. For starters, there is still a wage gap between men and women. And who said this was limited to Illinois? My Girls Can’t WHAT? designs sell internationally.
Emiy H.
hey, i love this website! do you think you can make a GIRLS CANT WHAT? design of a dancer? and maybe a girl winning a olympic gold medal? because a lot of people tell me dance is not a sport and girls shouldnt be in the olympics. they just dont get get! thanks !!!
– Emily
gretchen
Thanks for the ideas Emily, I will definitely add those to my list!
Cori
I know you already have one for cheerleadering. And I thank you, Guys always say cheering isn’t a sport.
They don’t understand that if cheering was easy the would call it Football.
Karina
Hey Gretchen!! Beautiful site you’ve got here. I think what you’re doing is great – keep it up!
I’m the smallest kid in gr10. Last year I joined the wrestling team, mostly boys and all bigger than me. I didn’t think I could do it, but now I’m stronger than almost anyone (but still short!). I love to surprise people when they ask me what my favourite sport is.
Best of wishes,
Karina
gretchen
That’s fantastic Karina! Keep it up.
Noa
Hi Gretchen! What’s up? I’m twelve, almost 13. I LOVE this site! In fact, I’m having my bat mitzvah soon, and I’m seriously thinking about taking a lot of ‘Girls Can’t WHAT?’ t-shirts and stuff to hand out. I think it would be cool to have a page dedicated to only submitting ideas for shirts etc., because I’m sure a lot of girls out there have really good ideas!
Sincerely,
Noa
gretchen
Hi Noa! Glad you like the site. I do have a page for making requests: http://www.girlscantwhat.com/contact/
Feel free to send me your ideas.
Rose
Dear gretchen , i found ya site by lingering upon some girl drummer websites.
Iam currently 16 years old , and all through my life my mother and father have always supported me in what i wanted to do. In my family of strong and sometimes stubborn hyspanic women i found through every page of my childhood up to now my teen year’s to never let a male oriented society grab and snatch our brains and molded into their “perfection”. To always keep our voice’s heard , and that’s true cause when grandma speaks….GRANDMA SPEAKS WITH HIGH AUTHORTIY INDEED. I’ve always had a pungent mind for the art’s and music. By the age of 12 i could distinctively seperate every instrument in a song and do “air drumming”. It wasent until a couple month’s now that i’ve had proffesional lessons. Last week i had a car accident with my mother…for a couple day’s i was in and out of it cause i had a mild head conconcossion. Thankfuly , thanks to god i am getting back to practiceing my drumming.
Thanks for creating this website!!
KEEP THE STICKS RAISED HIGH LADIES.
AL VACCARO
I JUST RETIRED FROM THE NYPD AND WAS IN THE BAND FOR 19 YEARS.THEY WOULD LOVE TO HAVE FEMALE TROMBONE PLAYERS…IF YOU KNOW OF ANY INTERESTED HAVE THEM CONTACT ME..THEY HAVE TO JOIN THE FORCE, AND DO THE JOB, BUT THE BAND IS VERY REWARDING. GREAT SITE.YOU GIVE YOUNG WOMEN SELF ESTEEM THAT IS SO IMPORTANT TO SUCCEED..GOD BLESS YOU
AL
rana
hiiii!!
i rly like ur idea of girls can’t what because we can do everything if we want to!
and my dream job is 2 be a pilot but always people tell me there is no women pilots!!
but i hope i can be a pilot!!
(girls can be pilots):)
gretchen
Thanks Rana and yes there are women pilots! Check out this interview: http://www.girlscantwhat.com/laroche-gloria-pilot/
rana
i read the interview between u and Gloria LaRoche and i wish i can make an interview with her to!!
this interview made me think that it’s not a day dream!!i can be pilot!
monica
i like this site, i am 13 and i play football, basketball, and track. i am pretty good at football but all the guys say is that i suck and play bench and its annoying. i have photos that even proove that i play. i like it. i <3 that sport and im thinkin bout ordering the "girls cant what" football sweatshirt and t-shirt lol <3 this site
Danielle
hi i just joined this site i am wanting to play football but the guys are putting me down its getting on my nerves i am a cheerleader for football and the team i cheer for is the won i would like to play for next season i will play football i just wish the guys would quit so just because ima girl i cant play wow!!!
Danielle
thank you so much for creating this site i am so confident that i can play whatever sport i want boys need to understand that girls can play sports to GO GIRLS CANT WHAT
James
I’m a guy, but I love this idea. I hate discrimination and double standards.
gretchen
Thanks James.
Ashley
hey this website helped me on my project but by any chance can u put some info up so its easier to site this source??? thnx (:
Ashley (:
Lisa Bundy
Just found your website and love it! Just one suggestion, I have been a car dealer for 20+ years and now train those (usually guys) wanting to become car dealers….how about a “girl in a car ” design for us “car girls”?
Thanks again and ROCK ON GIRL!!!!
gretchen
Thank you Lisa – and that’s a great design idea. I will add that to my list!
Hishgee
Hi I’m Mongolia. I like your site ……………and very pleasing
Ashley
Hi. I’m 12. And I went out for wrestling and they turned me down because ima girl! I believe thats called sexiest! Right? U inspired me to go out again! and tell all the boys to quit being jerks and let me play! Thanks again! <3 this website!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Allie
Thank you! THANK YOU! This website makes me so happy and I want an astronaut tee-shirt so bad! I hate when guys think they are better than girls. They have since the dawn of time!
So, I was thinking… could you make a itouch case? and maybe you could do a karate girl and an author girl? Thanks! This website is the best!
gretchen
Hi Allie – I do have a karate girl: http://www.girlscantwhat.com/gifts/martial-arts-light/ and author is on my list. There are ipod cases as well… http://www.girlscantwhat.com/search/?keywords=gift+speckcase
Glad you like the site.
Allie
Thanks! But which one is the itouch case, cause I can’t find it
Allie
Oh, Ashley, you should get a wrestling Girl’s Can’t WHAT?! Tee and wear it when unto try out again!
Allie
I meant u go, not unto
gretchen
Which version of the itouch do you have?
Allie
The Itouch 2
gretchen
Allie – my main vendor (the products you see on this site) doesn’t have an ipod 2 case, but I have another vendor that does carry them. I can set up a section for them next week. Which design do you want on it?
Allie
sorry i havent responed. I think if you are still able to do it I think we should do the Women working sign 2
Allie
and could you make a guitar player that has brown hair, and I think you should make a fencing one thats just the sword
gretchen
Allie – I have the new cases up in my Cafepress shop:
http://www.cafepress.com/girlscantwhat
I should have some new ones available in the main shop by the end of next week.
Allie
awesome! and i have just one more sugestion, and i would LOVE this one if you made it, and would try VERY hard to get it.
a snowmobiling girl! I love snowmobiling, and it is like my favortie sport EVER! I would love for you too make it!
gretchen
That is an excellent idea, Allie! I will add that to my list.