Mt. Pleasant Area Community Foundation

For good. For ever.

306 South University Avenue Mount Pleasant, MI, 48858 United States

(989) 773-7322

Our mission is to enhance the quality of life for all citizens of Isabella County, now and for generations to come, by attracting and holding permanent endowed funds from a wide range of donors, addressing needs through grant making and providing leadership on key community issues.

Gail E. Gorton Women in Sports Fund

Gail and Peter Gorton met as students at Central Michigan University in the 1970s. They shared a passion for the environment, education and physical activity. Peter and Gail were avid “birders,” members of the Chippewa Valley Audubon Society and sports enthusiasts, and incorporated their interests into their active lives. Peter served as a soccer coach for over ten years and worked as the Campus Planner for Facilities Management at Central Michigan University. Gail pursued a degree in environmental education. As an educator in the Mt. Pleasant Public schools, Gail was a teacher who encouraged students to perform their personal best. Students and parents appreciated the creative projects that Gail integrated into the curriculum, the emphasis she placed on student responsibility and her commitment to creating a classroom community that valued learning and the development of a healthy sense of self.

Gail Gorton

While Gail grew up during a time where opportunities for women in sports weren’t as plentiful as they are today, she knew that sports often helped children find their confidence.  She saw the value of sports in her own family; both Grace and Claire were skilled in soccer, track, volleyball and tennis. Both girls also served as senior class president at their high school. When Gail passed away in 2003, Peter, Grace and Claire (Peter and Gail’s daughters) thought that an endowment that promotes women in sports would be the most appropriate way to honor Gail’s talents.

Gail Gorton with her dog

Since its beginning, the Gail E. Gorton Women in Sports Fund has granted over $5,000 that enhance opportunities for girls in sports. The programs receiving the funds have varied. In 2008, three hundred and fifty three girls who participated in a program that coupled healthy living habits and a 3.1 mile run received a medal that represented their hard work, perseverance and triumph of participating in Girls on the Run. Funding for the medals was generously provided by the Gail E. Gorton Women in Sports Fund. Recent grants have been given to the Mt. Pleasant High School Girls Soccer team in order to rebuild and strengthen their skills after the loss of teammate Carolynn Cosan. Individual grants have been made to advance talented girls to the next level of competition. It will remain a goal of the fund to foster self-esteem, perseverance and to challenge girls to be the best in their endeavors.