What does it mean to me when someone says “Like a girl?” Honestly? For most of my life, nothing. I really never put too much thought into it. Growing up, as neighborhood boys would say things like “you throw like a girl” it only pushed me to want to throw the ball even harder and usually right in their face. However, when I ran across this Always #LikeAGirl Ad, I was a blubbery mess. If you have not watched it already, here it is.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XjJQBjWYDTs
I could easily blame the sudden rush of emotion on lack of sleep due to Reagan’s recent sleep regression but the truth is these were tears comprised of happiness, sadness and gratefulness. My happy tears were delighted to see someone take a stand against the negative connotation this phrase comes with. I’m also happy because I never let this get in the way of my success. To me, “throwing like a girl” meant I had a pretty bad ass one bouncer from center field to home plate. It did not mean that I was in any way inferior. I owe that in large part to my parents, who have supported me in life no matter what, the very same way they supported my brother. Gender aside.
My tears of sadness exist because I became a mom to one amazing little girl last year. She is the light of my life and I want nothing more than to show her she can achieve anything she wants and it matters not at all that she is a girl. Sadness you ask? Yes, sadness because though becoming a mom has been the most rewarding thing I’ve ever done, it is also the first time that I have been faced with a struggle that is so hard to explain. I am someone who puts my entire being into the people and things that I care about. Second to my family, my career is extremely important. I have moved cross country, worked countless late nights, chased down Fed Ex trucks to make sure my proposal made it on the last drop. It was not until I had Reagan that I felt my gender could potentially stand in the way. That “like a girl” went from a silly saying that didn’t bother me to one that weighed heavy on my mind. It was not that someone came out and said it to me but rather the overwhelming feeling placed on a new mom who decides to go back to work full time after taking several weeks away. Everywhere I turned there was yet another article about why women can’t have it all and I constantly felt like either way I was making the wrong decision. Being a parent is hard enough, whether or not you work full time. The way I look at it is we should support each other more and share our opinions a little less. Breastfeed or formula? Work or stay home? The only thing that matters is if your child is taken care of and loved.
Finally, I cried tears of gratefulness because even through all the hard stuff I chose to “work like a girl” which to me means that I can have my own version of “it all.” It means to me that I can be both a great mom and a hard worker. I might not always have it right but I want to show Reagan that nothing can stand in the way of her dreams, especially not her gender. And, it is okay to battle with this from time to time. I am grateful for all the women who went before me who fought hard for the rights I have today and think fondly of those who were not as fortunate as I am. I am grateful for the strong foundation my parents set and for the choice they made to send me to Mother McAuley High School, one of the largest all girls schools in the nation. At the time I did not realize the impact that it would have on me today. It was at McAuley that I further came to appreciate that doing something “like a girl” was not and should not be a negative thing.
To end this sappy post, hats off to Leo Burnett and P&G’s Always brand for an inspiring ad. Really made me think. I’ve watched this several times. I would also love to hear from others what this video means to you…male or female.
Image courtesy of whotalking.com
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