I am (soon to be) woman - hear me roar!!

I'm bursting with pride right now. Watching the American women's teams take the gold in soccer, softball, basketball ... beach volleyball. I'm sure there is more, but these come to my mind immediately. I really feel the urge to cry (I wonder if PMS is approaching, cripes). But, I am so overwhelmed with not only national pride, but pride in my gender - the fairer sex that we are - and their determination to win. They have not only outstanding physical ability, but they've worked their tight little asses off to be the best. They worked as teams and not individuals. They have shown what America is all about.

But, I'm also proud for that little girl from Afghanistan who ran pretty much covered head to toe. I'm proud for the women of the Middle East competing in their first Olympic games. It pains my heart to think about what these women in other countries endure. As an American woman, I can make my own choices. I can speak my mind and guess what? If I disagree with my husband, my father, my brother or any other man for that matter, I don't have to worry about being stoned to death or set on fire. If I want to wear a tank top that shows off my ample cleavage, I can do that with nothing more than a dirty look from an old woman's whose old geezer husband is gawking.


From the Aug. 30 Sports Illustrated: On Friday August 20, Rakia Al Gassra of Bahrain ran in a qualifying heat of the 100m. She ran in a full hejab covered from head to toe.

She was one of five Muslim women running in the 100 meters. Danah Al Nasrallah, 16, was the first Kuwaiti woman to compete in the Olympics. These women have a fierce spirit and I admire them for it.

All of these women are role models for every woman - most importantly my daughter. I want her to know that she can do anything she puts her mind to. She can be feminine, yet strong. She can be a doting mother and also tackle a career if she so chooses. She can be a leader, but also listen to others. She can be an outstanding individual who contributes to the overall quality of a team. I like to think of our country like that - each of us as individuals who contribute to the good of the whole.

Abby Wambach is another shining example of doing what she wants to do and excelling at it. She even has a soccer camp for girls.


Army of Dad was reading his Sports Illustrated last night and showed me a picture of Abby Wambach roaring in delight after a teammate scored a goal in one of their Olympic games. Army of Dad smiled and said we should cut that out for Stinkerbelle. (background here - our house is on a little hill and the children have discovered that if you stand at the edge of the garage and give out a big roar, it will echo in our neighborhood. So, we don't leave the house without a good roar from my precious little girl.)

I am Little Bit ... hear me roar!

But, she won't always be little. Maybe SHE will be the first woman president. Can anyone say 2048?