By Aaron Allen, The Seattle Medium
When the steady, rhythmic slap of two jump ropes hits the pavement in the Pacific Northwest, it carries more than just nostalgic playground energy. For the Double Dutch Divas, it is the sound of mental health recovery, intergenerational healing and pure community triumph.
That impact was unmistakably reflected in this year’s Best of the Best Northwest Readers’ Choice Awards. The Double Dutch Divas received more votes than any other individual or organization in the inaugural competition, earning the Best Kids Summer Program award while also finishing as runner-up in the Best Community Advocate (Youth & Young Adult) category. In total, the organization was nominated in five categories, underscoring the remarkable connection it has built with communities throughout the region.
For an organization that began with a few friends jumping rope together during the COVID-19 pandemic, the recognition represents far more than an award. It reflects how quickly the Double Dutch Divas have become a source of wellness, encouragement and connection for children, families and neighborhoods across the Pacific Northwest.
Founded in 2021 by lifelong Seattle resident Angie Mosley, the organization emerged during one of the most isolating periods in recent history. Schools were closed, community activities had stopped, and many people were searching for safe ways to stay active and reconnect.
Mosley, a Rainier Beach High School graduate and South Seattle College alumna, had spent years serving young people as a special education and behavioral paraeducator with Seattle Public Schools. During the pandemic, she found herself looking for a healthy outlet that would bring people together through movement and activity.
“Double Dutch is like my baby; it’s a foundation,” Mosley said during a recent interview while traveling in Louisiana. “During COVID, everybody was idling. Me and my friends started going down to the pits to exercise, listen to music, and social distance. I put it on Facebook, people asked who we were, and I said, ‘We’re the Double Dutch Divas.’ I called the Secretary of State because I wanted to secure the name, not knowing the business was going to do what it did.”
What began as a small neighborhood gathering quickly grew into a thriving community program.
Within six months, the Double Dutch Divas were partnering with Seattle Public Schools’ Launch program, the Tukwila Community Center and the Boys & Girls Club. Today, the organization partners with schools and community organizations throughout King County, including Renton, Kent and Federal Way, using Double Dutch to promote physical activity, confidence and teamwork among children and families.
For Mosley, however, jump rope has never simply been about recreation.
“Jump rope is an everybody sport. It’s teaching goals, structure and confidence, and all of our kids need that,” she said. “The ropes are just the tool. We have a lot of testimonies where kids with social-emotional behavioral challenges or low academic levels find their footing. We ask the kids, ‘How are you doing today?’ It’s beyond just the sport. We encourage you not to give up. We’re all winners around here; nobody gets left behind.”
That philosophy is what drew Sian Wu to the organization.
For Wu, who serves as both a coach and board member, the Double Dutch Divas address something that became increasingly evident after the pandemic: many young people were struggling with isolation, anxiety and disconnection.
“The reason why I continued to get involved was because of the impact that we’re having on the mental and physical health of young people in Seattle,” Wu said. “Ever since the pandemic, we saw a disconnection where people weren’t feeling as connected with the people around them or their own bodies. I think we started in that environment, and that’s what we’re looking to solve … to let them know what happiness and growth look like.”
As the organization’s reputation has grown, so has its reach.
What began in neighborhood parks has expanded to partnerships with schools, nonprofit organizations and major employers. The Double Dutch Divas have brought their programs to corporate wellness events for Google employees at Woodland Park Zoo, community celebrations for Nordstrom and family programming at Bumbershoot, demonstrating that the same activities benefiting children can also strengthen workplaces, neighborhoods and families.
Related Article: Thank You For Making Our Inaugural Best Of The Best Northwest Readers’ Choice Awards A Huge Success
For head coach Jamila Merritt, the organization’s success reflects the relationships it has built over the past several years.
“We were all very excited to see it,” Merritt said of the Best of the Best recognition. “I wouldn’t say that we’re surprised because with all the effort that we put in, and all the people that we touch in the community, we know we’re one of the best of the best. We’re very proud of that fact.”
Merritt said one of the organization’s greatest accomplishments has been creating opportunities for families to reconnect away from screens and distractions.
“The work we do is very significant, getting them active, off their electronics, and getting that mind-body connection,” Merritt said. “Bringing families together where they’re jumping and hula-hooping face-to-face is a big deal to us. We are definitely a community-minded organization. We accept all kinds, men, women, all ages.”
Wu said seeing community members rally behind the organization during the Best of the Best voting process was both humbling and affirming.
“We feel honored,” Wu said. “At events, we let people know we’ve been nominated, and everybody we talk to is super excited to vote for us. I feel like that’s a reflection of how integrated we are with the community and how strongly people feel about us. It’s a huge honor, and it’s something that can’t be faked.”
Looking ahead, the Double Dutch Divas continue expanding their partnerships with schools, community organizations and local governments while remaining committed to the mission that inspired their founding.
For Mosley, growth has never been about building a business. It has always been about building stronger communities.
“We do it for the outcome, not the income,” Mosley said. “Double Dutch Divas is not an ‘I’ organization, it’s a ‘we’ organization. Our ending statement is always: all for one, one for all, and don’t give up.”
What began as a few friends jumping rope in a park during the pandemic has grown into a movement that continues to inspire confidence, strengthen relationships and bring people together across the Pacific Northwest. For the Double Dutch Divas, every turn of the rope is another opportunity to prove that the simplest ideas can have the greatest impact.
To see the full list of winners visit bestofthebestnw.com
