If you were a tomboy, you knew long ago
What experts now preach all the time:
Exercise heals you. It strengthens your heart.
It also feels simply sublime.
If you were a tomboy, you rode fast and far
On your bicycle, named like a horse
You competed in neighborhood races with friends
Winning – and losing, of course.
You knew that your body was yours to enjoy.
You swam in the sea like a fish.
Disciplined, you would shoot baskets all day
'Til finally hearing that "swish."
If you were a tomboy you liked to climb trees.
Reaching for each branch above
The bark felt so rough and so right that it
Helped you discover what you were made of.
If you were a tomboy, then you're still an athlete
You've been walking with pride all along.
Or have you forgotten? Then let me remind you:
You've always been brave, free, and strong.
Invited or not, you showed up for Little League.
You cried out: "This gym is too small!"
You spoke up for fairness. You protested pinnies.
You kept your eye on the ball.
By refusing to stay on the sidelines
By saying, "I won't simply cheer,"
You redefined "woman" and "athlete."
You served as a sport pioneer.
Pioneers don’t earn much money.
Pioneers don’t get much fame.
But they dare to go first. That changes
Everything, transforming the entire game.
Nowadays we are all athletes.
Even old women can sail
Nowadays we would just laugh if they told us
It's more ladylike to be frail.
Your daughter: She won't be a tomboy.
They no longer call girls that name.
If she's adventurous, agile and quick
They'll more likely say, "She's got game."
But you were a tomboy. You learned how to lead
And you led like a true, brilliant star.
Going first matters. So please let me
THANK YOU for daring to be who you are.
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Mariah Burton Nelson is an author, athlete, and professional speaker who uses sports stories to show people how to lead and succeed with courage, compassion, commitment, and confidence. Her latest book is We Are All Athletes. For reprint permission contact the author; information below.
Tomboys Were Right
