The Athletic She-ro!

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By Shan Cathey, July 21, 2019, 9:00 p.m.

Over the last few years we have seen the emergent of the female athlete.  Just a few short decades ago we could only count on one hand or just a finger, of “notable” female athletes that were household names. For as far back as I can remember, women’s sports were deemed undeserving, boring, and undesirable with no real future.   

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As a child, growing up in the 90’s we saw movies like Little Giants and Mighty Ducks which highlighted talented young female athletes that joined boys teams.  The idea brainwashed our young, impressionable minds to believe that in order to be considered or taken seriously as a female athlete, you had to play with the boys.  It simply wasn’t exciting enough for girls to compete with each other in their own lane. We grew up hearing boys throw implied insults to one another, such as the famous quote “you play ball like a girl!” from Kenny in Sandlot. 

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The message planted a seed, deep-rooted in our female psyche that being ourselves simply wasn’t good enough, when in fact it was!  In order to be taken seriously or showcase our talent(s) we needed to be validated via men's sports.  When in reality women's sports were the bomb! We were tough enough, strong enough, smart enough, talented enough and ENOUGH ENOUGH! ​

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Thanks to the efforts of female pioneers that paved the way like FloJo (track and field), Mia Hamm (soccer), Serena Williams (tennis) and new up and coming athletes such as Alex Morgan (soccer), Simone Biles (gymnastics), Ronda Rousey (UFC) etc, our new generation of girls have a multitude of kickass female role models to admire in not just athletics, but a variety of genres. Our girls across the board are becoming confident in their voice, playing second fiddle to none, calling the shots and becoming the boss.  They are accomplishing once an impossible feat of leadership all whilst holding on to their femininity creating their own world of athletics stronger than ever. Women are no longer playing a man’s game but creating a new set of rules. Leading with brains, talent lest not suffocating their beauty. 

Serena Williams serves during the fourth round of the U.S. Open on Sept. 2. AP Photo/Andres Kudacki

Now, our young girls can look in the mirror with confidence and be proud of a reflection categorized as a "female" athlete.  Therefore, not to be stripped of her natural allure as there is strength in her beauty, brains and athleticism.  
 

The following photo series from Catty Visions Photography located in Houston, TX depicts a new storyline of female athletes who see the she-ro within herself... 

CONGRATULATIONS TO TEAM USA ON WINNING THE FIFA WOMEN'S WORLD CUP FRANCE 2019!