Courtney Thorne-Smith climbed a 35 foot tall challenge course as part of her participation in Girls on the Move, a national 10-week celebration of girls and women featuring Girls Festivals in major markets that include challenge courses, entertainment, interactive booths and celebrity appearances/performances. For more information visit www.girlsonthemove.com. (PRNewsFoto)

DENVER, Oct. 10 /PRNewswire/ -- Actress Courtney Thorne-Smith joined Girls on the Move in Denver this past weekend to promote strong physical, mental and emotional health for girls and women. As a star on Melrose Place and Ally McBeal, Thorne-Smith has felt the impact body image can have on self-esteem, a struggle she chronicles in a Self article this month.

At the Girls Festival in Denver's City Park, Thorne-Smith participated in a 6 mile Girls Ride, made remarks encouraging girls to be themselves and get comfortable with their bodies and climbed the 35 ft. tall climbing and ropes course (photo archived). While Thorne-Smith said her first climbing experience was "terrifying," she also commented on the empowerment that comes from overcoming a challenge and reaching a goal.

Actress Courtney Thorne-Smith and plussize supermodel Kelly Repassy prepare for a 6 mile Girls Ride in conjunction with Girls on the Move's Denver events. Thorne-Smith and Repassy are just two of a long list of celebrities, athletes and academics involved with Girls on the Move, a 0-week, cross-country initiative to education, celebrate and inspire girls and women. For more information visit www.girlsonthemove.com. (PRNewsFoto)

"Happiness really does come from within. Be true to your dreams and stand up for what you believe in, not what society expects you to be," says Thorne-Smith. "Girls can be whatever they want to be. That's what Girls on the Move is all about."

A special project of Outward Bound, Girls on the Move is a 3,865 mile journey of education, celebration and inspiration. Over 60 remarkable women, chosen from hundreds of applicants, began their journey in Portland, Ore., on September 9, 2000, and will arrive in New York City on November 16. Along the way, they are stopping in communities to perform educational outreach and hold Girls Festivals focused on providing role-models and opening the doors to activities and organizations that work for girls and women.

Girls on the Move will hold three more Girls Festivals during the remainder of their cross-country journey: Chicago's Lincoln Park on 10/28, Philadelphia's Fairmont Park on 11/12 and the final festival in New York City's Central Park on 11/18. All festivals include celebrity appearances/performances, challenge courses, interactive booths, prizes and more. More information is available at http://www.girlsonthemove.com

Thorne-Smith is joined on the Girls on the Move advisory board by top celebrities, athletes and experts like Susan Sarandon, Amy Jo-Johnson, Jackie Joyner-Kersee, Summer Sanders, Linda Ellerbee and Deborah Norville.

To arrange interviews with Girls on the Move riders/spokespersons or to coordinate coverage, call Courtney Knowles at 828 215-5708.