Lydia Earhart
What does it mean to do something “like a girl”?
Last month, I shared a video from a former Girl Scout co-worker posted to Facebook. It was an advertisement for a campaign by Always.
Always assembled one group of women, a couple of men and young boys to answer a few questions in front of a camera. The director asked them to demonstrate the first thing that came to mind when she said, “Run like a girl,” “Throw like a girl” and “Hit like a girl.” This first group acted silly and flamboyant while demonstrating these actions.
Next the team assembled a second group of young ladies and asked them to demonstrate the same actions. Each of the young ladies ran as fast as they could; swung hard to hit an imaginary ball; and threw tough, strong punches.
The video struck a chord with me. Since when did doing something “like a girl” mean to show you are weak, inadequate or do something incorrect? The most heartbreaking part was in the eyes if the young ladies who hadn’t heard that term used in a negative way. They showed the audience that doing something “like a girl” was how they, personally, would perform the task without holding back.
Is there a way this community can alter the meaning of this term for good? Examples are a way to change a negative stereotype into a positive one. Angela Festervan, a local barrel racer, said she would cringe when she heard the term “like a girl” be used in a derogatory manner. Festervan rides a horse around barrels. Festervan is competing in the National Barrel Horse Association circuit, and later this year starts up with the Women’s Pro Rodeo Association and the Barrel Futurities of America. She has many event wins under her champion-buckled belt. Read Page 30.
The LSUS weightlifting program (along with Erin Wallace, who trains with the team) lift like a group of girls. Many females in the program have gone on to win national championship titles.
The Mavericks new assistant coach Sarah Gayler coaches like a girl. Gayler, with her impressive background in basketball works hard to condition and develop players into champions. Though her ultimate goal is to some day be in the NBA, she is looking forward to a fourth championship with the Mavericks.
Motorcycle enthusiast Lisa Delaney rides her motorcycle like a girl. Delaney is fearless and experienced riding and has traveled over 60,000 miles. Her husband is even impressed by her abilities.
And Adria Goins and Tatum Everett both report like girls. Goins, a sports enthusiast, was promoted to morning anchor and juggles life as a mother and wife. Everett also is out in the field all the time showing her dedication to her role as a sports reporter.
In sports and life, be strong, determined and win “like a girl.”
CLARIFICATION Amy Kinnaird’s response was stated incorrectly.
Q. WHAT DO YOU LOVE MOST ABOUT YOUR JOB? Kinnaird: I love that I have learned so much and accomplished so much since I started my own business. The people I have met on this journey have blessed and enriched my life more than I could have dreamed, and it’s exciting to realize that I can take this anywhere I want to go. I love getting in front of a group of people, whether as a speaker or trainer. My kids say it’s because I like telling them what to do, but for me, it’s hopefully helping them solve a problem they have.
