Dragonwing Blog
#LikeAGirl Shouldn't be an Insult
Our favorite Super Bowl ad this year was a powerful, thought-provoking spot by Proctor & Gamble's "Always," entitled #LikeAGirl. Originally released last summer, the ad challenges viewers to think about why the phrase "like a girl" is often used to belittle, diminish, or insult.
When real girls are asked to show what it means to "run like a girl," "throw like a girl," or "fight like a girl," they demonstrate the power, determination, and confidence that lives within them. They're unaware that the phrase can have a negative connotation.
Our mission is to empower girls to play -- and live -- with confidence. To move, compete, play, and live unapologetically with energy, freedom, and joy.Isn't that what it should mean to live like a girl? #LiveLikeAGirl
Nutrition for athletic girls is a source of confidence!
March is National Nutrition Month and we'd like to share tips on good nutrition for girl athletes. Balance is key. It is important to include lean protein, nutrient rich carbohydrates (whole grain, non GMO if possible), low-fat dairy, fruits, and vegetables in an athlete's diet. It is essential to be properly hydrated, so drink your water throughout the day! Some folks say 1/2 your body weight in ounces - shoot for at least eight glasses.
To prep for a game, start out with a hearty breakfast rich in carbohydrates to keep your energy up, move on to a balanced lunch containing protein vegi, carbohydrate combination, spread out protein consumption throughout the day, try to avoid bad fatty foods (eat the good ones like avocado), and eat your last meal two to three hours before game time to be sure you have digested it. For our recommendations for post-game recovery foods check out our guide here!
Join the conversation and leave us a comment on what food routine works for you.
(photo source: mountain-bike-world)
Kathrine Switzer: First Woman to Enter the Boston Marathon
For the Dragonwing team, this video makes us emotional - especially when Jock Semple tries to pull her out. Kathrine's quote "all of a sudden this was very important ... nobody believes I can do this.. and if I don't finish, people will think all women can't." she finished in 4 hrs and 20 min. KV Switzer (and whoever wears #261 -how lucky are you!)
You can watch the video here.
Nutrition for athletic girls is a source of confidence!
March is National Nutrition Month and we’d like to share tips on good nutrition for girl athletes. Balance is key. It is important to include lean protein, nutrient rich carbohydrates (whole grain, non GMO if possible), low-fat dairy, fruits, and vegetables in an athlete’s diet. It is essential to be properly hydrated, so drink your water throughout the day! Some folks say 1/2 your body weight in ounces – shoot for at least eight glasses.
To prep for a game, start out with a hearty breakfast rich in carbohydrates to keep your energy up, move on to a balanced lunch containing protein vegi, carbohydrate combination, spread out protein consumption throughout the day, try to avoid bad fatty foods (eat the good ones like avocado), and eat your last meal two to three hours before game time to be sure you have digested it. For our recommendations for post-game recovery foods check out our guide here!
Join the conversation and leave us a comment on what food routine works for you.
(photo source: mountain-bike-world)
"Dear Dragonwing Girl..." Wise Words From A Bad Cookie
Dear Dragonwing Girl,
I would like to start by saying you are amazing. No matter who you are, where you are, or what you have done to get to this point right now, you’re amazing. You have unlimited untapped potential and only the sky is the limit. I’m sure you’ve heard this before from loving grandparents whilst they grab your cheeks and squeeze you in a constricting hug, but right now- at this moment- I want you to read carefully. You are all the attributes I listed before and more; you are beautiful, strong, and smart and you can do everything you want to and more.
Despite you and I knowing these things to be true, some will doubt you. Some will doubt you without even knowing you, and some will doubt you right after seeing your name on a resume. These some will be men, but they will also be women. Most will do this unconsciously, and I implore you to not be angry at them for the ignorance and bias they hold. I implore you to fight the fight of being a career-driven girl in a world run by men.
Though it is important to not hold anger for the world being the way it is, do not conform to the need to be “pleasant” or “calm” or “collected." You can speak out when you see small forms of misogyny in your school or workplace. Whether it be a man dominating the discussion, or a guy in your group making snide comments, you can step up. You can make your voice be heard because you won’t let anyone tell you that you can’t. Because you can.
So, stay strong because it can be hard sometimes. You might be called selfish or bossy or any other number of terms people like to use for women who don’t conform to their stereotypes, but if you struggle, if you stand your ground, if you fight for what you want, then we will be one step closer to gender equality.
Sincerely,
Your friend at Dragonwing girlgear, Abby
Concussions important issue for girl athletes-updated info here
There have been many articles and efforts to improve safety on the soccer field for women and girls. As an update to our posts of six years ago, I provide new information on prevention and training alternatives from Cindy Parlow Cone and Excelle.com
Our original articles are here:
https://www.sideline-chatter.com/dont-be-fooled-by-common-misconceptions-about-concussions/
https://www.sideline-chatter.com/a-great-article-on-concussions-from-taylor-twellman/
https://www.sideline-chatter.com/recovering-from-a-climbing-concussion/
and new information can be found here:
http://www.excellesports.com/news/womens-soccer-concussion-protocol-nwsl/
Check out these excellent video on the what Cindy Parlow Cone's experience learning to head the ball at 18 -and still being a World Cup Champ and Olympian!
http://bit.ly/2t0FV3P
http://bit.ly/2u5o9MP
The "why" of Dragonwing girlgear.
People often ask me why I am so passionate about sports and girls and I have a simple, important reason – we need this generation of girls, now more than ever, to reach their potential. Sports participation at any level is one path to actualizing potential –it is established and proven – we don’t need to create a new program or study its benefits. But social expectations and social media are getting in the way of girls. When I realized “the underwear experience” could have an impact, I had an aha moment that I could do something about it.
Let’s take Maslow’s hierarchy of needs pyramid. On one level of the pyramid is community or village – we all know and accept that it takes a village to grow a strong confident girl. We are happier with friends, family, a team, a tribe. Belonging is important. Connections give life meaning (Brene Brown). Sports provide a natural community.
The next level of the pyramid is self-esteem. Sports build self-esteem in so many ways, such as setting and achieving goals, graciously winning, building resilience, pushing your comfort zone for what you think you can do and then exceeding it – just to name a few. For more on this, check out this TedEx talk by Alisa Herr.
Unfortunately, feelings about breast development are a top reason girls drop out of sports. According to a recent study in the Journal of Adolescent Health, "three quarters of school-aged girls report breast-related concerns regarding exercise and sports." 75%!!! That’s just not acceptable. Starting and normalizing conversation about body changes can improve this. Sports programs frequently recommend protective gear for boys, like cups, or compression shorts, but there is no comparable list recommended for girls. At Dragonwing girlgear, we provide girls that list and more.
Having an excellent-fitting, high-performance sports top – whether it is a bra, cami or thermal tee-shirt, that is designed especially for the athletic girl’s figure, can eliminate worries about underwear malfunction. Embarrassment about changing bodies can alleviate concerns about body image. At Dragonwing, we strive to free up emotional energy– so girls can focus on their game – and everything else they want to achieve... because when girls are confident, the possibilities are endless.
Happy Birthday Cindy Parlow Cone
Happy birthday to Cindy Parlow Cone, three-time NCAA Women's Soccer Champion and founding member of the Women's United Soccer Association, former head coach for Portland Thorns FC and in her first year as coach in her first year as head coach of the Portland Thorns, led the Thorns to the NWSL Championship. Parlow was a member of the 1996, 2000, and 2004 Olympic, and 1999 and 2003 Women's World Cup, teams. Parlow Cone played professionally for the Atlanta Beat for three years and was the Coaching Director of 13-18 year-old girls' programs at the Triangle United soccer league. Cindy is a co-founder of Goals for Girls. Birthday --May 8th.
Brand-New Resources Page
We have added a new Resources page to our sideline chatter blog! This resource page, entitled "Essentials for a Confident Girl Athlete" includes a growing list of tools that we at Dragonwing think are vital for the empowerment and success of female athletes and for the aid of their parents! Visit our resources page now and keep checking our blog for weekly posts as we add more essentials to our list.
An Open Letter to Weight Watchers
Dear Weight Watchers:
Thanks to your new spokesperson, Oprah Winfrey, you've been getting more airtime and press than usual recently. I'll add my voice to those, like MSNBC host Melissa Harris-Perry, who feel compelled to look beyond the pitch for a weight loss program and call out the unintentionally harmful messages -- subtle and blatant -- you're sending to women and girls.
"I worry, as a mom and as a woman, about the messages our daughters receive if they think a woman as phenomenal as you is not enough unless she is thin. Who you are, what you have accomplished, how you have influenced and altered the world is all so much more important than your dress size. There is not one thing that you have done that would have been more extraordinary if you’d done it with a 25-inch waist." Melissa Harris-PerryAs a mother of a teenage girl and as the founder of a business dedicated to empowering girls in sports and in life, I see the focus on the weight number as a trap. Like a ball and chain, the notion of a magical goal number on the scale weighs us down and keeps us -- women and girls -- from achieving our dreams. How many times have we said or heard, "If only I weighed less, I'd be able to
My goal is to free girls from the emotional baggage of social expectations on weight and body image. There is no one right or perfect body type; women and girls come in all shapes and sizes. They are all powerful and beautiful.Oprah has power and influence and is respected worldwide for her business acumen, acting talents, philanthropy -- for her humanity. She has earned all that and more because of who she is -- not because of the number of pounds she weighs or the size clothing she wears. But rather than blame Oprah, I'd like to offer a possible solution to Weight Watchers. In this new year, I urge the company to rebrand and refocus its mission and message. Success in life isn't about watching your weight. Success in life is about emotional and physical well-being; life is about actualizing your potential. Instead of a fellowship around the scale, how about a fellowship of activity and wellness? Instead of selling prepackaged processed foods, how about promoting nutrition information and healthy cooking classes? Most importantly, Weight Watchers, I encourage you to change your messaging. While you have male and female members, the vast majority of your messages are aimed at females and feed the toxic media messages about body image that bombard women and girls daily.
What I wish you would say, in a national advertising campaign, is what so many of us say to young women and girls every day: "You are an amazing human being. You are enough as you are. Be healthy so you'll live a long life. Follow your dreams and go after the big goals you've set. The world needs you -- regardless of your shape or size. And I believe in YOU!"Sincerely, MaryAnne Gucciardi, Founder and CEO of Dragonwing girlgear
End-of-Year Thanks in a Poem!
A VISIT FROM DRAGONWING *
'Twas the night before the game, when all through the town
Not a suitable girl's sports bra or shorts could be found.
So a Mom who was fed-up with the lack of quality and fit,
Decided she could make something new - and with grit.She knew in a moment that athletic girls she must serve,
For girls are our future -- from that goal she'd not swerve.
With superior gear that met their high standard of play,
Girls could compete without distraction -- hooray!Now, soccer! Now, lacrosse! Now, hoops and volleyball!
On gymnastics! On skiing, on skating & all!
To the top of the conference! To the top of the league!
With Dragonwing girlgear, there's no goal we can't achieve!
This Mom keeps on making stylish, high-performing gear
So sports girls everywhere can play with confidence and cheer.
You can hear her exclaim, as year ends (it's not a dream),
“Happy Holidays to all. Thanks for being part of our team!"
with best wishes and many thanks,
MaryAnne Gucciardi
Founder & CEO
* with apologies (and thanks) to Clement Clarke Moore.
Boxes of Donated Sports Bras for Girls!
Earlier this month, we put out a call for donations of clean, gently-used sports bras for needy girls taking part in Goals for Girls wellness and education programs in India. The response from the Dragonwing girlgear community has been terrific. With each envelope or box that arrives, we are so grateful for and humbled by your generosity.
The remarkable women at Ladies Only Sports, a terrific family-owned business for active women of all shapes and sizes (check them out!), sent a big box of 30 brand new sports bras!
As I've said many times, a girl's sports bra can mean the difference between sitting on the sidelines and being able to play. Each of these donated sports bras empowers a girl to get in -- and stay in -- the game and reap the many benefits that sports participation brings. Thank you, thank you, thank you!
If you'd like to donate, here's the information:
As I've said many times, a girl's sports bra can mean the difference between sitting on the sidelines and being able to play. Each of these donated sports bras empowers a girl to get in -- and stay in -- the game and reap the many benefits that sports participation brings. Thank you, thank you, thank you!
If you'd like to donate, here's the information:
To help, please donate a clean, gently-used sports bra (any size, brand, or color) to: Goals for Girls/Dragonwing 510 Meadowmont Village Circle, #188 Chapel Hill, NC 27517Include your name and email address in the package with the donated bra(s). As a token of our thanks, we'll send you a promo code good for $5 off your next Dragonwing purchase.
