Monday, June 30, 2014

Like a Girl - and Proud of It.

“You run like a girl.  You hit like a girl. You fight like a girl.”

The appropriate response to any of these statements is simply, “thank you.” Though comments like these are sometimes said tauntingly, there is no insult in being told you do something “like a girl.”  Just watch Missy Franklin swim a race or Abby Wambach play soccer if you doubt this.

The Proctor and Gamble owned “Always” brand has launched a campaign to change this way of thinking.  They recently produced a video interviewing young girls about what it means to do some things “like a girl.” I saw this video last week for the first time when my daughter shared it on Facebook, and it brings tears to my eyes each time I watch it.  I hope every girl everywhere gets a chance to see it.  I hope you watch it here now.  It is worth your time.



My daughter joined a swim team when she was seven years old and now swims competitively in college.  Throughout middle school, most of her classmates had never seen her swim. Some of the boys would joke with her that swimming wasn’t very hard.  Their eighth grade graduation celebration was at a pool. Several boys challenged my daughter to a race, thinking they could easily beat her.  A few of the smarter ones realized, when they saw her enter the pool in her suit, cap and goggles that perhaps they were no match for her - and backed down.  The one who decided to race her didn't stand a chance.   They all learned something that day.

The ridiculous stereotype that has been associated with “like a girl” is being challenged and changed by girls everywhere.  I know, because my daughter is one of them.  So, if someone tells you that you do something “like a girl,” just take the advice of the girl in the blue dress in the video: “Keep doing it, it’s working.”


My daughter is proud to do everything just #Like a Girl 

This post may be linked to one of the great link-up parties I follow and list on my blog.  Check them out!

13 comments :

  1. Thought provoking! I have two ten year old girls and it would be interesting to see what they say "like a girl" means :)

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    1. Seems a good age to start a conversation about it! Hopefully they will understand it is something to be proud of, and hold onto that thought through life!

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  2. Wonderful, empowering post for women!

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    1. We are powerful - we need to make sure our young women grow up knowing and believing it!

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  3. Susan, this is amazing! So glad you shared it. I agree - when did being "like a girl" become a bad thing? I hope to see your daughter swim someday!

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    1. It is an amazing video, isn't it! Maybe someday there will be a blogging conference the same weekend in the same place as a swim meet ... !

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  4. The information in the video is thought provoking..however..the main goal is to sell product and it will probably work.

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    1. It is smart advertising - I would support a company doing so much good for girls!

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    2. So good to reconnect! Shared the video "Just Like A Girl" with my daughter who in turn shared with my neice & others. Thanks for posting this!

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    3. Hi Barb! It was wonderful to see you too. Thanks for visiting my blog, and thanks for sharing the post. I am now following the blog Autumn Stirs the Pot - I'm glad you mentioned it!

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  5. I like the ad too - I saw it a few days ago doing the rounds on FB. It's thought-provoking and very well done.

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    1. I agree Lisa! Thanks for visiting my blog and commenting!

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  6. A great message! Being a girl should not be an insult. It is shocking that we still live in a society where those of is born without a penis are defective somehow. If you are resting on your genitals as your source of pride and worth and judge others the same way, you really need to open your eyes a bit more. Like a girl or like a boy, it doesn't matter, as long as you are doing it!

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